Marty's 180g [My Elusive Shrimp]

looking really good. How is your temp doing now that you have the glass tops off?

 

It dropped quickly down to 78 and is holding. Definitely going to build a screen top for it.

 

That is great news. I was a bit worried by that high reading the other day. Its amazing what a differnce a seemingly small change can make. I have to run an open top on my tank as well. I dont have a screen over the top, but I have stayed away from fish that tend to jump - I am thinking of adding some wrasses in the future in which case a screen top is in my future as well...so will be interested to see what yours looks like.

 

Yeah, it was strange, I wasn't really worried at all about temp and thought I would get the thermometer and heater installed to at least do something til my sump arrives and when I took the glass off it was like wow that feels way too warm. Good thing to find out early in the game.

Once I get it ready I'll put up some pictures and give you a heads up.

 

My acclimation box and second pump for my return lines have returned. QT water tested to 1.0255 sg, 8.1 ph and 11 alk. Going to get a couple small fish for the QT as we speak.

Hoping to begin cycling the DT in a week or so.

 

Just have to say, I'm totally impressed with your build Marty! I'm so envious of those that have the plumbing knowledge and skills in this hobby!

 

Thanks. It's been a lot of fun.

Picked up my first fish. A Pygmy Angelfish. Named him Nick. He's getting about an hour of drip acclimation then he goes into the QT. He really caught my eye at my lfs. He was swimming around the rocks and peeking out at me from behind them. He checked me out from ever little nook he could find. Good swimmer, appears bright and curious. I'll put up pictures after he goes in the QT.

 

Meet Nick

Here is Nick. Drip acclimated for about 90 minutes, happy, swimming and eating. Also bought some little containers to house my test kits...

 

I am putting two more Bangghai's into QT tomorrow and the first round of fish will be set.

#1 is Nick the Pygmy Anglefish
#2 is Uncle Blue John the Blue Sapphire Damsel
#3 is Djimi the Bangghai Cardinal
#4 is Sonny Sixkiller the Six-Line Wrasse

Current QT parameters are:

1.025 SG
78*
0 ppm Amm
0 ppm Trites
.2 ppm Trates
10.7 Alk
8.2 PH

Dosed Dr. Tim's last night and left a small bit of food in the tank, also added a small piece of dedicated QT rock. Daily detritus vacuuming and testing until I am comfortable. Cupramine treatment will start in a few days after I am sure everything is perfectly stable. Fish all eating, swimming, curious and bright.

 

Awesome Marty,the Pygmy Angel is really cool.

Things are certainly moving along at a quick pace now. You've done impressive work.