PICS! 20 long, dwarf compressiceps

[Crude]

Awesome! Love the shot of the one enjoying it's shell

Really enjoy the way the driftwood is oriented.

What's the lighting?

[aquabee]

Thanks guys! The wood is manzanita that I got from Houston Aquarium Warehouse. They have really nice pieces that I couldn't find anywhere else, and in all sizes too.

The lighting is LED, Marineland 18"-24" single brights. It's 6,000K white and 60 mW blue. Low wattage and 17,000 hours life at least. My favorite part is the shimmer effect. I'll try to take a video and post it soon.

Thanks again! Appreciate the encouragement.

[eklikewhoa]

I would hide the heater, fshfrk does pvc slightly larger and just drills out a lot of holes to protect the glass. Then you could paint it black with krylon fushion to blend it in the backgound. That way you can put it behind the rocks.

I see RonR's technique of cycle the pumps to clean the tank. I tried it and it eventually evolve to mp40's to alternate flow and keep it constantly on. LoL.

I say more shells and more crevices and add more sumbus!

[eklikewhoa]

Oh and stuff the tank with more sumbus!

[barrettsline]

Thanks guys! The wood is manzanita that I got from Houston Aquarium Warehouse. They have really nice pieces that I couldn't find anywhere else, and in all sizes too.<br />
<br />
The lighting is LED, Marineland 18&quot;-24&quot; single brights. It's 6,000K white and 60 mW blue. Low wattage and 17,000 hours life at least. My favorite part is the shimmer effect. I'll try to take a video and post it soon.<br />
<br />
Thanks again! Appreciate the encouragement. <img src="http://www.houstonfishbox.com/vforums/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Very Happy" smilieid="3" class="inlineimg" />

<br />
<br />

Thanks for the update and again great looking aquarium.

[aquabee]

I would hide the heater, fshfrk does pvc slightly larger and just drills out a lot of holes to protect the glass. Then you could paint it black with krylon fushion to blend it in the backgound. That way you can put it behind the rocks.

I see RonR's technique of cycle the pumps to clean the tank. I tried it and it eventually evolve to mp40's to alternate flow and keep it constantly on. LoL.

I say more shells and more crevices and add more sumbus!

Yep! You called it, Q. Love RonR's setup.

As far as stuffing the tank with these guys..... no can do, Q. Sumbus.... quite aggressive as adults and older juvies. Will try to get a trio out of the ones I have, or 2 pairs. Already one of the maybe-males is looking more than a little distressed.

[SunnyHouTX]

You're too "safe" B. Stuff that tank full.

[aquabee]

You're too "safe" B. Stuff that tank full.

Death and destruction, huh? That's what you want me to stuff the tank with?!

[aquabee]

You're too "safe" B. Stuff that tank full.

This is what I just removed from my tank... probably a sub-dominant male. Hope you and Q feel really bad now, cuz I certainly do!!

[SunnyHouTX]

I do feel horrible.

[aquabee]

Just talked to the seller... we're thinking they're still too young for aggression. Another one of the comps isn't looking so hot, and now none of them are eating. The smallest, which I'm hoping is a female, and the largest one that has taken residence in a shell are both looking well despite the fact that they're not eating today. Either it was a stressful trip home (4 hours in the car due to an accident blocking traffic on 45), or they're simply too young to make the move. Seems like the stress from the trip, which was over a week ago, would have manifested itself earlier. I guess we'll see. :( Just added some salt and crossed my fingers.

[RonR.]

Try feeding them a small amount of frozen mysis. When most fish won't eat other foods, they will eat frozen mysis. I use the Hikari brand.

The tank looks really nice. I place my heaters horizontally along the back. My titanium heaters are almost buried in the sand. I know your's is glass though. I haven't had any fish.....mobas or plecos burned either.

Hope this helps you out gal.

[eklikewhoa]

I doubt it has much to do with aggression as well seeing as though they are young and there's a lot of room to hide. I would chalk it up on weak or stressed stock. They've always been known for that.

When you start out with more juvi's you get to weed out the week and end up with a strong breeding group and worst case scenario you get a large group that grew up with each other and are accepting.

[eklikewhoa]

If frozen mysis doesn't work on its own you can soak in garlic extract and that'll get them going nuts over it!

[barrettsline]

thats terrible, any update on how the others are doing thus far.