Hi From Perth (56k beware) Geo Pics

[topline]

Hi All

Just joined the forum after lurking for a while. Thought I would introduce myself. My name is Brian and I live in Dianella, Perth, Western Australia. Have been keeping fish for about 30 years (crumbs is it that long) and have always had just 1 tank so have very little breeding experiance.

I hail from South Africa and have been living in Perth for the last 12 years. Have kept SA's, Africans, Marines, and general community fish.

Have just upgraded my tank from a 5 footer to an 8x2x2.5. This is the biggest tank I've ever had and am really enjoying it. It is filtered by an eheim 2217, aqua one 2400, fluval fx5 and a tunze rail system. It has a constant drip water change system replacing about 4l per hour. Has mainly Geo's and SA's in it but also has some loaches. Some of the loaches have been with me since I settled in Perth.

Thought you might like some pics.....

Tank Setup

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i28/topline_2006/Dsc_6905.jpg

Drip System

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i28/topline_2006/Overflow.jpg

Some of the fish

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i28/topline_2006/Dsc_6898.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i28/topline_2006/Dsc_6876.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i28/topline_2006/Dsc_6847.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i28/topline_2006/Dsc_6778.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i28/topline_2006/Dsc_6740.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i28/topline_2006/Severum-2722.jpg

Well thats about it for now. Looking forward to many interesting nights on the forum.

Cheers
Brian

[Nathan]

wow awesome tank mate.

and a big welcome to the forum, hope you enjoy your time here

[Dee]

Hello Brian,

Now that's a great tank mate ... impressive :shock: ... love the layout. I have always loved geo's and you have some great examples there. Great photo's too !!!

Cheers,

Dee.

[slabba]

Hi Brian

Good to see another West Aussie on the forum.
Nice tank and pictures, especially your S.leucosticta, do you know how to sex these fish?? I have three and would like to know the sex of them, going by their behaviour I have 2 males and 1 female, but would like to confirm.
Also interested in your drip water change system, can you explain it further, how it works.


Thanks

[topline]

Thanks Guys

Have no idea how to sex them, :? I have 2 and sometimes they behave as a pair and sometimes as 2 males... will have to wait and see.... :lol:


Drip Sysyem

Firstly I made an overflow from pvc to hang on the tank. Does not have to be flash as it is only taking 4l/hour to waste, so ordinary hose pipe works fine.

Bought a pressure regulator to fit on an outside tap and some thin irrigation hose. Take hose from pressure regulator through an old canister filter filled with carbon (no motor) to remove chlorine and then to a 4l/hour drip fitting I got from Hardware store starting with B.

As water drips in, it overflows out through the pvc overflow. I used an ehiem U Tube (brown in the diagram) and the hardest part was finding the correct fittings that would allow the thinner inner pvc pipe to travel through the bottom of the thicker pipe and also connect to a hosepipe fitting.

I drilled a small hole in the top of the u-tube and siliconed a check valve in the hole. I connected some airline tubing to the valve which allows me to easily prime the u-tube.

Just keep an eye on it when feeding and if any air bubbles are noticed, suck them out. Been a week now and no air bubbles have formed.Works a treat.

At this flow rate, the cold water does not seem to be an issue. Will have to see if in summer the black irrigation hose heats the water too much and I may have to insulate the hose.

Cheers
Brian

[aquafrogstuff]

Welcome to the forum.

[gro]

nice DIY job!

Great fish!

[bun]

:D What an amazing setup, I love it. Loving all the geos ;)

[FishLover]

I wonder what do you use to remove the nasty stuff from the source water?

[topline]

Hi

Thanks guys

I have the water dripping into the tank through polyfilter and carbon. Seems to be working well.

Cheers
Brian

[Reillin]

Gday Brian,

Your tank looks fantastic and those fish looks like the happiest Geos and SAs on earth. Such a nice and pristine looking tank. Definitely one of the best black-water biotopic tank I have seen.

I would put in another U-tube. Even another two. This is just for a worst case scenario of the one tube blocking up.


Cheers,
Vien.

[topline]

Thanks for your comments Vien. Much appreciated. :D

Have had the single u tube running for over a month now. No air bubbles, no blockages. Only 4l/h going through the tube. You are probably right, I should add another one for safety sake. Will try fit one in...

Cheers
Brian

[Vossy]

Topline, I am new here. Just wonder what is the scientific name of this pic posted below? He is awesome species!!! :shock:


http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i28/topline_2006/Dsc_6740.jpg

Thanks in advance... :wink:

[bun]

Vossy that would be geophagus jurupari :) "green horseface"

[chris_]

I hate beeing picky but its actually satanoperca leucosticta. But as bun said commonally known jurupari or green horseface :D

[Vossy]

Thanks all!!! :wink: Nice to meet Geophagus experts here... :D

I was just getting my hand on some Gymnogeophagus Labiatus and Geophagus sp. "Tapajos Red Head". Hope they turn out nice... :wink: Post pic soon... :D

[timperthwa]

Hi Brian .. very impressive setup . . how is it fairing further down the track , did the automatic water changer continue to work well . . am getting im similar size geo tank and like your ideas! rgds, Tim (ex Perth fishie)

[topline]

Hi Tim

Constant drip still working flawlessly. Have changed the input water to r/o and only drips in at about 4l/h.

No issues with the tank at all. Very low maintenance.

Cheers
Brian

[norto]

Welcome Vossy and Topline ... some sensational photos you got there...hope you enjoy.
Regards,
Norto.

[topline]

Hi All

Updated Vids of the fish and tank can be viewed at
http://www.youtube.com/brianbrenda63

Cheers
Brian

[Ksevn-T]

fresh as tank!
Have you got any really recent pics?

[SusieQ]

Hi there... Brain that is a great tank. :thumb
I am working on a smaller version 4x2x2 120 gallon.. but geos tapajos (orangeheads). juvie sev rotk, an adult koi angel and maybe some bolivian rams.. We will see how the floorspace works for everyone..
Your tank is sooo big I imagine you've not had any issues with much aggression among the different species. How are your discus handling being in there.. What is the name of the silver fish with the red fin and colored/striped tail??
Just realized the tank has been up and running since 06... Anything you had to change as to types of fish???
Once again congrats a beautiful tank.. Sue :D :D