Good to see the oyster tank again! Man, you are cranking out the vids! Awesome update.
Oyster Reef Ecosystem Tank
- Thread starter Chasmodes
- Start date
Chasmodes
Well-known member
Another video update of the river tank. I moved some stargrass around and it did a couple things, one positive and one negative. First, it opened up some space in the center of the tank so the fish had more room, positive. Second, I lost that river flow effect on the stargrass, negative. I guess the powerhead that I have isn't quite strong enough to keep that stargrass flowing horizontally. I also discuss some of the history of the tank for those that are first discovering it on YT.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_6M0pekL2A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_6M0pekL2A
I stumble across this one, while perusing youtube! Kevin, you may find yourself becoming a famous Youtuber! Love the new scape!
Chasmodes
Well-known member
Thank you Michael! LOL, maybe some day! I think that as much as I search the internet for answers, that maybe I should give back some too.
My satinfin shiners seem to spawn daily and provide constant action, more prevalent, however, during the low light conditions or morning and evening. This video shows the action along with the darters in wait, lurking for their chance of a a nice fish egg snack. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxxweHopHG4&lc=UgzRDXQrh51yc78-s0N4AaABAg
Wow it's cool you were able to zoom in on that one spot and catch all the 'action'. Any idea why they like that spot? Also, how many females and males are participating?
Nice of you to give back to the internet! I never thought of that.
Nice of you to give back to the internet! I never thought of that.
Chasmodes
Well-known member
Thanks Michael! Satinfin shiners (and their very close cousins, spotfin shiners) always spawn in rock crevices. I have four males that are doing this in their little tank territories every day. This particular male seems to be the most dominant and has the largest territory over that main rockpile in the center of the tank. They also spawn along my faux rock wall, and the smaller rockpile on the right behind the plants. I even had one lay eggs in the front right tank corner one time! Unfortunately for them, the fantail and rainbow darters have pointed snouts that are perfect to reach into those crevices for a tasty egg breakfast. When I looked at that spot last night, all of the eggs were gone.
There are three females that actively spawn with those 4 males. In the video, two of the three were actively laying eggs. I have one female, a big fat one, that never does. I think that's because, perhaps, it's a spotfin shiner. The 4 males ignore her and she's very egg laden.
It's hard to tell the two species apart and in my river system, their ranges overlap. You have to count anal fin rays...that's the only way as far as I know to do it.
Other shiners maybe spawn over gravel mounds made by river chubs, and others scatter their eggs over plants.
There are three females that actively spawn with those 4 males. In the video, two of the three were actively laying eggs. I have one female, a big fat one, that never does. I think that's because, perhaps, it's a spotfin shiner. The 4 males ignore her and she's very egg laden.
It's hard to tell the two species apart and in my river system, their ranges overlap. You have to count anal fin rays...that's the only way as far as I know to do it.
Other shiners maybe spawn over gravel mounds made by river chubs, and others scatter their eggs over plants.
Fascinating stuff Kevin! The more you know, the more fun it is. I've always been blown away by your knowledge of the species you've caught and kept. Your River tank is a showcase of your skills and knowledge. It's awesome!
Chasmodes
Well-known member
Thank you for the wonderful compliment Michael!
I just moved more fish out of QT and into the river tank (as if it needed more fish)... I guess I need another video to show them. One of the species is a target species for me that I've wanted for a couple years, the central stoneroller. They eat algae, usually, a lot too. Today, I saw one of them eating the black beard algae in my tank. I've heard that nothing eats it, so I'm pretty excited about that if that fish keeps it up. I have two of them, and the other one was going to town on the green hair algae. More to come LOL.
I just moved more fish out of QT and into the river tank (as if it needed more fish)... I guess I need another video to show them. One of the species is a target species for me that I've wanted for a couple years, the central stoneroller. They eat algae, usually, a lot too. Today, I saw one of them eating the black beard algae in my tank. I've heard that nothing eats it, so I'm pretty excited about that if that fish keeps it up. I have two of them, and the other one was going to town on the green hair algae. More to come LOL.
Awesome you're getting some good algae eaters. I've never heard of anything eating Beard Algae either. Score!
Chasmodes
Well-known member
Thank you Michael and Dawn. This is the first time that I've had time to figure out how to use the new site. I couldn't even find this thread LOL. As it turns out, the central stonerollers eat all of the green algae and nibble at the blackbeard algae, but not enough to make a difference on it. Here's my latest update after a major clean up...
It's been a couple months since my last update. After I went and returned from a vacation, my tank was overrun with cyanobacteria and other algae. My stonerollers were fat and happy though, but, the tank was ugly, so I broke it down for the most part and gave it a major cleaning. The canister filter was clogged and barely putting out any current, so I had to do something. Man, that blackbeard algae is tough to scrub off. It has little holdfasts that are tough. I tried several brushes until I found one that worked to remove it from the rocks, even after I gave the rocks a hydrogen peroxide bath for a couple days. I also soaked my plants in a hydrogen peroxide solution and that seemed to kill off all of the cyano and algae, and was able to rinse almost all of it off. Anyway, I explain more in detail in the video. Also, check out my fancy fish room updates.
It's been a couple months since my last update. After I went and returned from a vacation, my tank was overrun with cyanobacteria and other algae. My stonerollers were fat and happy though, but, the tank was ugly, so I broke it down for the most part and gave it a major cleaning. The canister filter was clogged and barely putting out any current, so I had to do something. Man, that blackbeard algae is tough to scrub off. It has little holdfasts that are tough. I tried several brushes until I found one that worked to remove it from the rocks, even after I gave the rocks a hydrogen peroxide bath for a couple days. I also soaked my plants in a hydrogen peroxide solution and that seemed to kill off all of the cyano and algae, and was able to rinse almost all of it off. Anyway, I explain more in detail in the video. Also, check out my fancy fish room updates.
Congrats on the new fish room! Looks great. Love the art and photos! Tanks looking good too. I don't think you mentioned the really fat fish in there. Pregers?
Chasmodes
Well-known member
Thanks Michael. She's been like that for a year now and getting fatter. It's a female satinfin shiner. The males never tried to court her like they did the other females. It was either because she has an internal parasite, or maybe is a spotfin shiner (very closely related and found in the same area). It's very hard to tell each species apart without counting fin rays. My guess is that she has in internal parasite. It doesn't affect her appetite and she isn't losing weight, but man, it's a little scary looking. I ordered some meds and am going to treat the whole tank that supposedly works on internal worm parasites.
I like the look and feel of the new RC, but I'm having learning curve issues. It took me a few times visiting the site to figure out how to log in. Then, when I figured it out (very easy), I felt silly that I didn't see it. So, I've been lurking for a while since the site came up.
I like the look and feel of the new RC, but I'm having learning curve issues. It took me a few times visiting the site to figure out how to log in. Then, when I figured it out (very easy), I felt silly that I didn't see it. So, I've been lurking for a while since the site came up.
Yeah, I wondered. I had a Kole Tang years ago that swelled up like that. It was fine for a year or two, then finally died.
The new RC is a learning curve for us all. I had the same problem finding the login! I'm just using it and learning as I go…
The new RC is a learning curve for us all. I had the same problem finding the login! I'm just using it and learning as I go…
vlangel
Premium Member
Wow Kevin, thats a lot of fish! So much activity and life in there. The tank looks great. I hope the black beard algae stays away so you do not have to do a more extensive breakdown to get rid of it. Oh yeah, I really like how you hid the power head. I would not have even seen the wire if you had not pointed it in the video.
I will look forward to your next update along with the oyster cluster tank.
I will look forward to your next update along with the oyster cluster tank.
vlangel
Premium Member
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