Journal 75P - Journey Into High Tech

[Minninips]

Misc ramblings for the week: I've been trying to keep consistent on the weekly water changes every Saturday night and journal updates here shortly after.

This past week, the skimmer was gurgling when I came down in the morning, so I went to adjust it. As I approached the tank, I saw something go down it and the gurgling stopped. There was a blue eyed rainbow sleep swimming right next to it. I feared that maybe it was another rainbow. I ended up opening the filter this week for the first time since I set up the tank and found 3 dead rainbows in the prefilter, which bummed me out. The inlet skimmer thing is such a weird contraption (to me anyways) that seems like it always needs fine tuning. I might revisit no skimmer on the inlet and setting up the Oase skimmer I bought originally. After putting everything back together and running, I was cleaning up and found 2 alive amano shrimp in the water I poured out with the 3 dead fish. Funny enough, I think I've only see 1 amano in the tank since I put them in and I don't think I've seen these 2 since (saw a molt between drafting this and posting). I also removed 1 red 30ppm filter foam from a basket. I had 2 in 1 basket and was worried it was causing some flow issues since the filter gurgled from time to time.

I've generally noticed a haze or fogginess to the water. Unsure if it's skimmer related or to do with bringing the light up to 35% (or something else entirely).

I lowered my temp to 74, but the inkbird has consistently read lower than that (~71). I adjusted the heater to be above 74, but it looks like I'll need to kick it up a few degrees. It's odd because at 79 the inkbird was constantly reading 79. I ended up looking through the settings and saw a "Heating Difference Value" which was set at 3.0*F, so I changed it to 1 and see the temp is now in the ~73 range. I might change the Inkbird to 75 so I can hit 74.

I cut a new hose for my macro bottle to the auto doser head and recalibrated it. When looking at the settings again, I'm not sure if I had the automation on, which would mean I haven't been dosing. I never bothered to enter the bottle volume into the Chihiros app because I knew the dose was off to begin with. I added the bottle values to the app for both Micros and Macros and will have to keep a closer eye on things.

With the time change today, I noticed the light didn't turn on on time and I sat next to the tank and didn't hear the magnetic stirrer or autodosers. I manually dosed Micros today.

Now that things are starting to grow in, I need to start trimming more. I bought some UNS scissors that are springy and they don't always pop back open. I'll need to go buy some actual scissors.

Raised the light to 40% starting tomorrow. Curious to see what happens, but I feel like 30% was sufficient given how low the light is hanging.

Next on my things to do is make my RO setup as easy as possible. I haven't spent any time on that and it's a PITA to move the water all over the place. We're also looking to re-organize the space the water is in, so it might not happen as soon as I'd like, but might give me the opportunity to really hide the system and storage. Also looking to organize my cabinet, which I never got around to (then I can share some pics!). Then get started on the 120p planning now that the Hyperspot is here!

And because this thread is worthless without pics, top is when I first planted (1/31/26 I think) and bottom is today!

 

[JayP]

This past week, the skimmer was gurgling when I came down in the morning, so I went to adjust it. As I approached the tank, I saw something go down it and the gurgling stopped. There was a blue eyed rainbow sleep swimming right next to it. I feared that maybe it was another rainbow. I ended up opening the filter this week for the first time since I set up the tank and found 3 dead rainbows in the prefilter, which bummed me out. The inlet skimmer thing is such a weird contraption (to me anyways) that seems like it always needs fine tuning. I might revisit no skimmer on the inlet and setting up the Oase skimmer I bought originally. After putting everything back together and running, I was cleaning up and found 2 alive amano shrimp in the water I poured out with the 3 dead fish. Funny enough, I think I've only see 1 amano in the tank since I put them in and I don't think I've seen these 2 since (saw a molt between drafting this and posting). I also removed 1 red 30ppm filter foam from a basket. I had 2 in 1 basket and was worried it was causing some flow issues since the filter gurgled from time to time.

I've gone back-n-forth many times on lily pipe skimmer and powered skimmer. I've been back to the pipe skimmers for awile now and I've been happy with things. I think one of the reasons things are working better now, is that I replaced the plastic skimmer assembly with this third party model.
I can't imagine fish or shrimp getting sucked into it as long as it's adjusted right and not sucking in too much water.

With the time change today, I noticed the light didn't turn on on time and I sat next to the tank and didn't hear the magnetic stirrer or autodosers. I manually dosed Micros today.

Yeah, it's a funky Chihiros thing. I also had to remember to manually turn all the Chihiros devices back on today. Once you communicate to them after the time change, they're fine again until next year.

 

[Koan]

found 3 dead rainbows in the prefilter,

So sorry to hear that

With nano fish it's always a good idea to plug the intake of a skimmer with a piece of 20 PPI foam , or use one with a guard or both even if they're adjusted properly, they can jam up with leaves, get sucked under the water without warning and swallow up your fish or shrimps

Also an outlet skimmer is safer, even though they're kind of funny looking

might revisit no skimmer on the inlet and setting up the Oase skimmer

Lots of 3D-print guard models available for this @gnatster likes this one,



my nephew's printing one for me now

 

[Minninips]

I've gone back-n-forth many times on lily pipe skimmer and powered skimmer. I've been back to the pipe skimmers for awile now and I've been happy with things. I think one of the reasons things are working better now, is that I replaced the plastic skimmer assembly with this third party model.
I can't imagine fish or shrimp getting sucked into it as long as it's adjusted right and not sucking in too much water.


Yeah, it's a funky Chihiros thing. I also had to remember to manually turn all the Chihiros devices back on today. Once you communicate to them after the time change, they're fine again until next year.

Thanks, just ordered the tube and will swap it out when it arrives!

I looked in the app and couldn't even find any date / time. Thought that was funny in itself. Good to know I need to go manual for time changes.

So sorry to hear that

With nano fish it's always a good idea to plug the intake of a skimmer with a piece of 20 PPI foam , or use one with a guard or both even if they're adjusted properly, they can jam up with leaves, get sucked under the water without warning and swallow up your fish or shrimps

Also an outlet skimmer is safer, even though they're kind of funny looking

View attachment 15005



Lots of 3D-print guard models available for this @gnatster likes this one,

View attachment 15006

my nephew's printing one for me now

Ill look into plugging it with some foam. I have a 3d printer that I recently set up, but don't know the first thing about designing from scratch, so I'll look around and see what's out there.

 

[Kwyet]

For the Chihiros doser, I finally figured out this week that it hasn’t been dosing at all on my Dutch tank (except for manual dosing after water changes) because I never set the dosing time! I’ll put it on my journal whenever I update again, but thought I would mention it to you just in case.

 

[CincyScaper]

Lots of 3D-print guard models available for this @gnatster likes this one,

The oase skimmer comes with its own sponge and guard, did you have fish caught in them with the guard and sponge in place ?

 

[Koan]

did you have fish caught in them with the guard and sponge in place

Yes the sponge is great POC that it can work just fine in a lily pipe skimmer as well

I don't find the OEM guard impressive, leaves enough of a gap for nanofish and shrimp to get sucked in and stranded or injured.

Plus, shrimplets

 

[Minninips]

For the Chihiros doser, I finally figured out this week that it hasn’t been dosing at all on my Dutch tank (except for manual dosing after water changes) because I never set the dosing time! I’ll put it on my journal whenever I update again, but thought I would mention it to you just in case.

My macros appeared to have been at 00:00, which was confusing because I did set up the magnet stirrer correctly and remember bouncing back and forth between the doser to make sure times were correct. I'm not sure if the setting didn't get saved or what. Their app is a bit clunky.

The oase skimmer comes with its own sponge and guard, did you have fish caught in them with the guard and sponge in place ?

I never used the oase skimmer. I ended up wanting to have one less thing in the tank and one less wire to worry about, so I ended up going with skimmer on the inlet.

 

[JayP]

The oase skimmer comes with its own sponge and guard, did you have fish caught in them with the guard and sponge in place ?

From my experience, the stock Oase guard does little to keep out neocaridina shrimp.

 

[Minninips]

It's been a couple weeks since my last update.

Full tank shot from after today's waterchange:


Misc updates-
I lost 1x C123 Yellow Cory and 1x C005 Cory about a week apart. Unsure the cause as nothing looked unusual.

I also lost my male killifish (Clyde). Monday morning this past week I noticed I hadn't seen him, which was unusual since he was always out and would chase the female killifish (Bonnie) often. I did my water change Sunday night since we were our Saturday. I started second guessing if I somehow sucked him up and didn't notice or he got sucked into the filter when I restarted it. Today during my WC, I decided I needed some closure. I opened the filter and found nothing. I grabbed a flashlight and started looking everywhere and eventually found him between the right side of the tank and the wall. He had jumped out and was blending in with the filter tubes. I'd like to think he made his exit when I had the lid off for a WC, but it's plausible he escaped via the gap in the lid since since he was in that area. Definitely a bummer because this was the fish I had wanted since I first stumbled upon it (and the biggest reason I have a lid). And to add insult to injury, Bonnie had eggs yesterday



Sadness aside, my bamboo shrimp molted last night, which was a surprise to wake up to! Makes me feel like I'm doing something right! I've been thinking about adding some colored shrimp to the tank and I might just start hunting some some blue Caridina shrimp and see how that goes.



I dropped my light back down to 30% a couple of weeks ago now and things seem to be in a better place (less overall algae), but it looks like the leaves on my anubias are permanently coated. I imagine I need to trim them and wait for the new growth, but I wasn't sure since they're slow growing.


Up for next weekend is likely a big trim / maybe some moving of plants in the back.

 

[Koan]

plausible he escaped via the gap in the lid

Killifish are so ninja that way I'm sorry that happened

might just start hunting some some blue Caridina shrimp

I have some more of these coming this week,

View attachment 1000048535.mp4

they are replacements for an almost entirely DOA first shipment, I'll let you know how they are!

 

[Minninips]

I have some more of these coming this week,

View attachment 15617

they are replacements for an almost entirely DOA first shipment, I'll let you know how they are!

Any reason behind the original DOA? I was considering some lighter blue, but that looks great in your video!

 

[Koan]

That's what I'm going to find out with this re-ship They shipped from Minnesota last month and I'm guessing they hit a pocket of extra cold overnight somewhere. The juvenile Amanos in the same box all arrived just fine

To be safe I delayed the shipment until this week when it should be warm enough, we'll see how healthy they are.

 

[Minninips]

Full tank shot from this morning


Misc ramblings for the weekend:

Finally decided I had enough of the Hydrocotyle Tripartita (clover looking plant) and removed it. It's a surprisingly easy plant to grow and looks pleasing, but it's just so weedy. It served it's purpose!

At some point during this week, all of the rotala in the back center was uprooted. I was finally able to replanted a few stems and tossed a bunch more. I need to buy some new scissors (just ordered!) and trim it like Dennis recommends.

I think I might try to increase the light intensity again and see how things go. Maybe 2 weeks at 35%. I also noticed taking this picture that the drop checker was more on the blue side. Sure enough, I must have bumped the CO2 regulator and the bubbles slowed down. Not the first time I've done that.

I added Puregen to the top basket in my filter and it really helped with the water clarity.

Impulse ordered some Black/Blue Snowflake caridina shrimp Friday. They'll be coming from Portland, so we'll see how that goes this week.

I need to figure out my long term water storage situation so I can make water changes easier. We're going to do some improvements to our laundry room where I store the water, so I need to figure that out before I can really lock in storage plans. I think I'm going to look into some sort of rectangular water storage solutions to try to maximize the space.

 

[JacksonL]

I love the river sand/natural gravel look with the bright greens. Everything is looking very healthy!
Beautiful neon blue eyes, they are fast becoming my favourite fish.

 

[Minninips]

I love the river sand/natural gravel look with the bright greens. Everything is looking very healthy!
Beautiful neon blue eyes, they are fast becoming my favourite fish.

Thanks for the compliment! So glad I went with the sand! It gives some definition to the scape and the corys hang out there often. The bamboo shrimp even comes out at night and heads right for the sand!

The neon blue eyes are a bit smaller than I had in my mind, but they are neat little fish. They're almost always schooling and from time to time you'll see the mailes flare up at each other.

 

[Minninips]

Lots of goodies have arrived, including a Flowmeter from @JayP that I haven't set up yet.

UNS tools arrived! These scissors are way better than the previous UNS spring scissors I have been using. I trimmed a bit, but feel like I can trim more. I didn't want to take too much of anything this go just in case I regretted over trimming. How do folks here recommend catching and removing all the small little dwarf baby tear leafs?


Pre Trim (doesn't even look like I trimmed much, hah!)

Post Trim:



I ordered 20x Black/Blue snowflake Caridina shrimp from Shrimp Ambition who I found on Reddit's Aquaswap and they arrived Wednesday. After the first day, I think I've seen maybe 5 at one time. I'm curious if they'll survive my ~50% water change and stick around long term. It would be fun to have a nice shrimp population. I had already seen at least 1 molt pre water change.


They're obsessed with the drift wood and seem to hang around it the most. The bamboo shrimp's hideout is also inside the wood. It's such a cool piece of driftwood!


And a fun shot of a Stiphodon rutilaureus Goby, shrimp, and amazing flared fin from the Blue Eye Rainbow in the background:


I've also been stalking Dan's Fish for another pair of Killifish, and they finally had a paid pop up! So another pair of Aphyosemion bivittatum 'Funge' are on order for next week and of course I couldn't let the box be 85% empty, so more friends are coming! I need to figure out how I want to cover the edge of the lid that I'm 50/50 on the last one escaping. I'm thinking I might 3d print some little insert for peace of mind.

This past week, I increase my light to 35% and I also physically raised the light up about an inch or so. Other than noticing a little bit more algae on the glass, I haven't noticed much of anything else. I'll keep it here for at least another week and continue to observe.

Misc ramblings:
I might end up with 2x 55 gallon drums for water storage if I can't find a singular container to fit my desired space. I see a lot of tall/round containers, but I was really hoping I could find something that would be more short-ish and rectangular so I could build it into a custom cabinet under a sink in our laundry room.

 

[gnatster]

Misc ramblings:
I might end up with 2x 55 gallon drums for water storage if I can't find a singular container to fit my desired space. I see a lot of tall/round containers, but I was really hoping I could find something that would be more short-ish and rectangular so I could build it into a custom cabinet under a sink in our laundry room.

Grainger has all kinds of square and rectangular liquid storage containers.

Whoops, we couldn't find that.

Edit: The link works.

 

[Koan]

Grainger has all kinds of square and rectangular liquid storage containers.

Norwesco does too, here are a couple

25 gallon low
35 gallon tall


50 gallon low


55 tall



68 low



Shipping on these is ridiculous,l but Lowe's Home Depot etc will usually ship to store for you

 

[JayP]

I too, spent a lot of time searching for a single large water tank for RO storage but the prices are just too high for my liking, even the smaller sizes, and it's hard to argue with the simplicity of a basic lidded storage drum. If your area is anything like mine, there are many local sellers on FB marketplace of used food grade storage containers. Just try to make sure nothing really bad was stored in it originally. These are the ones I just got for just $35 each (55g) and I'll go ahead and tie them together, replacing my single Brute 45g. You can find all kinds of sizes.