This is 9 months update. The fish are called Sparkling or Pygmy gourami.
This was a crazy month. I lost my favorite shrimp of all time.
Breeding Amano:
Half of the water is tap water b/c I wanted to grow algae. Specifically brown diatoms. Top off and water changes were done using ro/di water. 10% water change every 3 days to remove surface protein.
I used hydrometer and thermometer in one to just check the fluctuation in salinity and the temperature in real time due to evaporation b/c the tank is so small.
Hydrometer/thermometer amzn.to/2LLV0jn
But real salinity is check with:
Refractometer (automatic temperature compensation) amzn.to/2LX76Fy
I don’t know why the larvae only lived for 19 days. Maybe the temps were too high 26~28°C (79~82°F). Or maybe the salinity was off. ~33ppt. Or the water quality wasn’t good since the tank was so small and relied only on algae for water quality. The light was 14W daylight color single T5 fluorescent left on for 18 hours day for one week, then 13 hours thereafter. I lightly fed them yeast and spirulina every few days, but mostly they were eating the diatoms.
Finding out male or female (sparkling gouramis):
It’s pretty straight forward. At certain angle and the light behind them with preferably light background color, the belly will be transparent. The female has long “organ” and the male doesn’t. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it. Video at 8:16
The gouramis only fight like this when they pair up and start to breed. They also seem to go after the shrimp when they breed. Usually they leave the shrimp alone.
Auto top off: Video at 4:30
Air hose connector amzn.to/2LTzVCX
Dremel 561 Multipurpose Cutting Bit amzn.to/2vfSd7J
Dremel 3000 amzn.to/2C9t4Ad
Torch that I used(This torch lasts forever.) amzn.to/2DVf772
Loctite 401 super glue (better than most super glue) amzn.to/2DfMkc9
Cheap heat gun with 4 nuzzles amzn.to/2BEgdTi
Acrylic cement amzn.to/2MaKZrF
Acrylic sheets amzn.to/2MN6ZKn
The bottle: (I just bought a drink from a store that had a neat looking bottle)
11 months update • 11 Months Update - (Pe...
10 months update • 10 Months Update - (Me...
8 months update • 8 Months Update - (Too...
7 months update • 7 Months Update - (Fee...
6 months update • 6 Months Update - (Pop...
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4 months update • 4 Months Update - Eggs...
3 months update: • 3 Months Update - New ...
2 months update: • 2 Months Update - NO f...
The setup video: • (Setting Up) NO filter...
NO filter, NO CO2, NO Ferts Planted Tank Series:
• No Filter No CO2 No Fe...
This is a Walstad Method tank. The credit goes to Diana Walstad for publishing the organic soil substrate method.
Check out her book in the link below if interested.
The book I read to make this aquarium:
Ecology of the Planted Aquarium by Diana Walstad(Hard cover) amzn.to/2tB4xiZ
Ecology of the Planted Aquarium by Diana Walstad(digital) amzn.to/2svT0Sy
4.6 gallon low iron rimless tank amzn.to/2yKTWST
5.4 gallon low iron rimless tank amzn.to/2y5YZeO
50W heater amzn.to/2tAQOsy
Heater cover so plants won't get burned amzn.to/2sw42ap
Tiny thermometer amzn.to/2tAwFmg
Magnetic thermometer amzn.to/2LRCrXd
(I'm using the tiny thermometer with a small rubber band to hold it in its place.)
Mini round shape magnet scrubber amzn.to/2zx6k8D
Miracle gro organic choice potting mix amzn.to/2tyHm9g
2~3mm gravel 20lb bag amzn.to/2gJ5tOl
2~3mm gravel 5lb bag amzn.to/2y3e3ih
Aquarium scissors amzn.to/2BXY1GW
Aquarium Tweezers amzn.to/2EWyAZe
TetraMin Flakes (gourami and shrimp food) amzn.to/2Gouypo
Daphnia eggs amzn.to/2IXY4Y2
Camera: LG v10 (manual mode) stock app amzn.to/2JrwD4C
Clip 3 in 1 lens photo kit. I used the macro lens for close up shots. amzn.to/2HPggiF
Vegas Pro 15 amzn.to/2Hwu5C5
The Best Growing Plants in this tank:
1. Ceratophyllum demersum (hornwort) amzn.to/2srT6HY
2. Duckweed amzn.to/2sl3G4p
3. Azolla imbricate (mosquito fern) amzn.to/2LapS8z
4. Najas Guadalupensis (guppy grass) amzn.to/2LLN8L8
5. Bacopa caroliniana amzn.to/2LIPFpj
6. Ludwigia Sp. Mini Super Red amzn.to/2J0SAfu
The rest:
Hemianthus glomeratus (pearl grass) amzn.to/2LIIPA5
Egeria densa (Anachris) amzn.to/2LJCUuO
Didiplis diandra amzn.to/2LJj4j2
Rotala rotundifolia (indica) amzn.to/2JbzLFF
Dwarf hairgrass amzn.to/2sjG2W1
Music:
Erik Satie
Gymnopedie no.1
Gymnopedie 3,2,1: played by Kevin Macleod