Japes' 2010 Eartheater Work/Photolog

[japes]

Nice little guys. Don't ever see them around here. Can I ask why your TOTY tank was "dismantled"? Changing things up I assume.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3795708&postcount=52

Essay at the top of that reply should cover everything.

Cliffs:

Basically I've sold everything in there and they've been picked up, Orange Heads picked up next week. I will then assemble a lovely 6x2x2 that is currently being built in it's place which will house my Rio Essequibo Biotope. New -everything- other than fish, no skimping.

Will then shut down and sell the 140G the Essequibo setup is currently in.

 

[evojoey]

I see. Sad to see those Tapajos go. They were beautiful fish. Nice to see that your plans are moving along and I like the direction your going with the new Apisto setup. Looking forward to seeing it complete. Good luck with everything.

 

[japes]

Hey guys,

Construction of the new tank and sump begins tomorrow so I've quickly whipped up some plans for the very basic sump I'll be running. Nothing fancy at all, not even a seperate return chamber to the one the heater is running in. Will give me about 40-50L of filtration capacity, half of which will be Seachem Matrix, the rest Bioballs. The whole reason for such a large empty return chamber is to accommodate a 50CM/20" Heater.

Purigen and any other media can be bagged and placed in space in the return chamber without much issue. Any suggestions of criticisms please feel free to go for it.

 

[japes]

Picked up 1M 2F Apistogramma baenschi "Inka 50", which had what I planned to purchase but was prepared to sway from it. I guess that technically makes the tank a Rio Huallaga, Peru biotope.

Ended up buying a trio as there wasn't many girls in the lot. Males out and about quite happily but the girls are being cautious. Will hopefully have some shots later this afternoon.

 

[Eric A]

Can't wait japes, almost bought some Inca 50s, but Jodi said they have some at home that they may end up selling , so I got my flemenos instead.

 

[japes]

Can't wait japes, almost bought some Inca 50s, but Jodi said they have some at home that they may end up selling , so I got my flemenos instead.

Jodi keeps all extras they don't have room for at home, they had the baenschi in-store Friday and the whole lot went so mine were first picks from the second batch they brought in; not that fish quality is an issue with wild caught stock anyway, provided fins aren't damaged and the fish are healthy.

Peter was going to buy some of the agassizii but ended up passing for some reason and I'm not sure exactly what he got, and Tom picked up some Oto's and a borelli trio. Meeting never happened because people sniped in on the Friday even though all the species weren't available

 

[Eric A]

Unfortunatley yes, oh well, next time maybe.

 

[Snowflake311]

I am thinking I want an all black background now.

Your set ups are great and all. I want to know more about how you get thoes photos? What kind of lighting do you use?

 

[random fish guy]

very nice fish and setup

 

[japes]

I am thinking I want an all black background now.

Your set ups are great and all. I want to know more about how you get thoes photos? What kind of lighting do you use?

Black backgrounds are definitely the way to go in my opinion. Was considering a 3D background for the new 6x2x2 but decided against it without factoring in cost.

Anyway, my 20" cube setup's basically complete now. I ditched my 70W Shopfitter halide today for a 150W setup with fan/mount etc. Cheap setup with a decent globe, cost me $80 second hand and while it's a bit larger, it's also neater.

To be all fancy:

30G Rio Huallaga, Peru Biotope

3x Apistogramma baenschi "Inka 50" (1M 2F, Wild Caught)
10x Nannostomus marginatus (Dwarf Pencilfish, Wild Caught)
5x Otocinclus sp.

(MFK Warped that nicely!)

and some shots of the inhabitants:

N. marginatus

Reclusive male, white balance exploded on the second shot.

Females.

Few of those shots are fairly grainy, needed to shoot at ISO800 with a 70W halide above the tank due to all the tannins. The Apistogramma are still very much settling in but they're actively foraging and eating healthily with mild bouts of conspecific aggression so they're getting there. Plenty of cover means I rarely see them, but I love that the tank can look gorgeous without the centrepiece fish being visible.

Cheers,
japes.