New Beginnings

This post is coming out much later than I wanted too due to work on the tank for the past few days. So, about a week ago I decided it was time for a larger tank for the crayfish. With the addition of the new ones the issue I had with aggression I figured a larger space made sense.  I went back and forth trying to figure out what the best setup for them would look like. I first researched where they are found naturally and was checking to see if I could emulate those conditions. I found that more often than not crayfish are found in less than a foot of water and are surround by reads or other large grass like plants.

With this new information in mind, I went to the internet to try and find a large tank that was also shallow. The issue I was running into was that most of the tanks I was looking at were too deep or not wide enough.  After looking for literally 3 days I finally found the right tank with the right dimensions. This tank is almost like keeping a small open top pond on your desk. It is the right mix between shallow and long.  I ordered the tank and waited for a few days. When it arrived, it came on its side, and I was nervous. This being a rimless tank it is more fragile than standard tank, it is also made of glass. But after opening it and inspecting it I can say it came perfectly.

Now that the tank is here, I had to decide how I wanted to set it up. With the tank being so shallow a big dynamic of it is for plants and some of the wood to be emerging from the top. Finding the right wood and stone was a challenge. I went to three different stores trying to find the right wood and stone combination. I went with Sergu stone as it most closely resembles the type of grey stone that is naturally found with them.

The final and arguably the most challenging step of a planted tank is choosing the right plants. These plants had to stay short. If they were to grow to large in their mature form, then they would clutter the tank. Some aquatic plants when they grow large will actually emerge from the tank. Plants like common clover and creeping jenny can be grown well in both an aquatic and terrestrial setting. Other plants like dwarf hair grass, and baby tears serve the purpose as a front carpet or lawn. These plants will fill the front of the tank and act as a medium for the crayfish to walk and graze from. Finally, around the side or midground there are a lot of crypts. These styles of plants latch onto rocks and wood and form small leaves around them. These plants can add a lot of depth and filler to the tank as they grow fast and easy.

The last step, which I haven’t done yet is to move them to this new tank. When tanks are first setup and water is added they are not ready for animals. There is a cycling period where the tank water changes often and can affect any livestock in the tank. There are chemicals you can add that help speed up the process, but these chemicals can affect plant growth. The best course of action is to just wait and do regular water changes the first few weeks. Then after the tank water is all healthy and leveled out you can add any livestock.

When I go to add the crayfish the water in the new tank should basically be the same water that is in their tank currently. The water that I add to the tanks all comes from the same place so the only difference in water will be what the plants do to it and what the add fertilizers do to it.

PS: the light and filter in the image are very ugly, but I have a new light on order and the filter will be hidden. It is easier to leave it ugly like this during the setup process.

Some of my 16x20 collection that will be headed to @aquashella Chicago next weekend!!!! I’ll post my 11x14 pieces soon. X. . . . . #aquashella#blacklightart#reeftank#reef2reef #aquaticart#aquarium #saltlife#nanoreeftank #allmymoneygoestocorals #psychedelicart #scubadive #sealife#marinelife#seaturtle (at Ballston Spa, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjOvFU4LLLj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Post Aquashella photo dump - Green Jade Shrimp are the only guys I got at Aquashella, I was able to source more RNT's while I was in Dallas at a store so now there's a baker's dozen in the 32.5!

spoilers

I'm going to the fish store today after a dr appointment. I'm picking things up for a client. Not for my new tank. I don't need anything for the new tank. the new tank will be stocked with shrimp and nothing else untill the actual tank can be built and established in the new apartment. this tank is to be used as a hospital and quarantine tank only. i don't need anything for it.

oops might be getting some more crested geckos tomorrow

Now instock! Our PolyRok Bio-Matrix Frag Racks may be the only racks you'd want to add to your reef tank! Perfect size and extremely light weight for all pico and nano tanks up to 1/2" glass. Here's some key benefits: 🌟Increase Bio-Filtering Diversity 🌟Encourages Pods Cultivation 🌟Hold Frags Securely with our included PolyPlug Frag Plugs. 🌟Natural Look over Traditional Frag Racks 🌟Easy Breakaway Frag Plugs Stem to transfer to Rockscape 🌟Made of 100% ReefSafe Recyclable PETG 🌟Premium Waterproof Magnetic Mount for up to 1/2" Glass 🌟Patent Pending Design #oceanboxdesigns #oceanboxdesignsfragrack #fragrack #picoreef #nanoreef #fragracks #reefbuilders #reefaquarium #reefaddict #allmymoneygoestocoral #fragpack #reefpack #reefing101 #reefnerd #reefhobby #reefaquarium #nanoreeftank #eatsleepreef #reefinghobby #reef2reef #aquashelladallas #aquashella #aquashella2022 #reefermadness #reefer170 #reefer250 #reefaholics (at Rowlett, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg9nVP3Lwa4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Check out my new scape in my 20 gallon long thanks to some new plants from Dustin's Fish Tanks and beautiful new driftwood from Pet World at Aquashella today.

so apparently aquashella is an event for aquarium people. i might try and convince my folks to do it but since its in the middle of a pandemic i dont plan on doing it whole-heartedly. it sounds fun though. both my parents love fish and so do me and my older sister. i was actually in a club in elementary school where i took care of the school koi pond and their baby rainbow trout

Aquashella was a blast, easily exceeded my expectations. Hung out with some friends, got some good food, and obviously snagged some neat stuff for myself. A nice group of true petricolas, a pair of Rio Otapa swordtails, some well started mangrove seedlings, and several nice art prints. I'll post plenty of pics when I'm back in Houston.

A collection of photos from the various projects finished by Candice Champlin, a young professional who is passionate about digital marketing growth. 

More Aquashella pieces . These are all 11x14 pieces. Which is your favorite?! . . . . . #blacklightart#marinelife#zoa#nanoreeftank #aquascape #aquaticart#jellyfish#saltwateraquarium #fishtank#aquariumhobby #fishart#teeffish#scubadive #reef2reef #octopus#shrimp#deepseafish#psychedelicart (at Chicago, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjXydZ9r-bU/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Would you pay $2K for a coral? #aquashella #lps #coral #openbraincoral https://www.instagram.com/p/B2-jFQXJH2B/?igshid=1c6uupqtxvuk1

I got three new fish today and I’m so so happy!! I think pinky will enjoy the new company ☺️ my aquarium is dedicated to albino animals except for the tiger snail. Please leave name suggestion for my now 4 pink and white fish!

FISH DAY FISH DAY FISH DAY FISH DAY.

We’re at Aquashella for some reason