90g Malawi (improved! Lol)

[Crude]

I had no idea the iPhone4 could capture such a nice picture. I have an iPhone4. I think I'll try to take pics with it to see how it compares to the pics on my old camera. I've thought for a long time that I needed a new camera, but never considered a phone's camera to be decent enough to actually use. But your picture is really pretty!

Try playing around with the (free) Adobe Photoshop Express app

[Complexity]

I have the full Photoshop app. I got the free app about a decade ago, and over time, migrated to the full one at some point. Now I won't do a pic without it. It really cleans up my photos.

I'll have to figure out how to use the camera on my iPhone4. I think I only used it a couple of times, but just for casual pics. Never thought to try it for fish or aquariums.

[Crude]

I meant the one for ipads/iphones. I used to have a copy of the the real Photoshop, but I think its on my old rig ;(

Anyway, I learned some things tonight....

I learned that moonlights are awesome.

I learned that the blueish light really makes the colors on my Mbuna pop, even when the "daylight" flourescent is on.

I learned that I have no idea how to use a camera that allows me to choose settings

I've got a mess of reading to do, but here's what I have for tonight:

Changes: Moved a couple rocks, added a 24" 445nm Stunner, swapped my internal UV sterilizer out for another powerhead (Positioning it immediately circulated hidden debris throughout the tank. Its getting filtered out, but definately showed up in my pictures. Anyway, here's my bs photo attempt:

Don't know what I did, but I liked these "low light" (it was not, in reality, low light... i think I was messing with the shutter speed?) shots:



And with the moonlight:

[barrettsline]

Very cool. Yeah give it time with playing with setting and you'll learn How your camera will act in all situations. Then you'll learn how to adjust quickly in quick changing situations.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.253667,-95.211039

[Crude]

Nothing new, just took some more pics Starting to learn how this thing works... lol

[barrettsline]

Looking good bro!


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.531868,-95.157784

[Complexity]

Love the pics! Tank is looking very clean now. What are the tank's dimensions? It seems taller and less wide than a regular 90g.

[Crude]

Love the pics! Tank is looking very clean now. What are the tank's dimensions? It seems taller and less wide than a regular 90g.

Didn't see anything out of the ordinary... I don't know my peacocks very well Just a lot of fish with different colored shoulders, sold by the pair, for more than I can imagine selling on a fish I suppose my fish will all be that size eventually, and then I'll have to buy the big ones too

The tank is 48x18x24. I don't really like the height, whether its normal or not, but just because it makes it hard for me to reach the bottom if im not up on a stool or something. I'm only 5'6

I added a few Venustus, Red Zebras, and single Demosni. Still waiting to slim down the group when things get rougher.

[Complexity]

Your tank is the same size as mine. I guess it just looks different with the different scape. I hear you about the height. Try being 5'4" and having a canopy! I literally cannot touch the bottom of the tank. Makes it very hard when trying to scape the rocks.

Where did you get the new fish? Yeah, the peacocks can look somewhat alike. That's why I mix haps with mine. Gives me more variety. I can't wait to see pics of your new fish!

[barrettsline]

Still waiting to slim down the group when things get rougher.

you let me know who you wana get rid of, when your ready and ill come pick them up.

[Crude]

I'll take pics tonight. I need to remember to do it before feeding, because when they're done theyve distributed food "dust" and poo all over the tank messy eaters!! Is it just me or do they poop in preparation for feeding? When I get near the tank they just let 'er go!

I'll keep y'all updated on who needs to go and when


Also, almost all my java moss is now gone. And by gone, I mean blowing in the current from my power heads like streamers on a fan in a store. I went downstairs lastnight to find one of my new venustus literally swimming around like he was caught on a fishing line made of java fern. Eventually he let go, but not before tearin another few pieces away from the clump. Im going to see what I can find at michaels that isn't so... Alive. Any tips on how to prep silk plants, complexity?

[barrettsline]

I like plastic, easy to clean and maintain. Becareful if you go with silk, some people have had problems with the dye leeching into the water. Not the best on the subject, cause I haven't used but one silk plant and it was made for aquarium use.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.558321,-95.158646

[Crude]

Algae!

Ok, so with the addition of the moonlight, I've been providing a lot more light. I've ordered a second timer so that I can set the moonlight to go off (it was on all the time before).

I'm really enjoying my green algae growth, and the fish are too. However, I'm also starting to get a lot of brown algae. On the glass, on the substrate, everywhere. Before, the brown and green were about equal, but it was all limited to the rocks, and still had a nice look to it. Now the brown is taking up about 75% more surface area than the green.

Any tips on how to promote green algae growth vs brown? Thanks!

[Complexity]

Silk's fine for gentle fish, but not cichlids. Even I'm using plastic in my cichlid tank.

If you get it from Michael's, soak it in water at least 24 hours to check the dye. If it's plastic, and it handles 24 hours submerged, it should be okay.

Also, watch for plants that come apart easily. Cichlids will bite them so you don't want the plants falling apart in your tank. Look for strong and sturdy plants. Thick plastic.

[Complexity]

Brown algae -- could it be diatoms? If so, it's common in new tanks and usually goes away on its own as the tank matures. Your pleco should enjoy it. If it continues to be a problem, then check your silica levels. But, usually, as the silica leaches out of the sand and into the water, it's removed through water changes, and the leaching stops. This will decrease the diatoms to the point of nothing.

I found a good write up on diatoms for Barrett the other day. Let me see if I can find it again. It'll help explain the process of diatoms and why they're not something to worry too much about at this stage.