[Adastra]

Sounds great--glad to hear everything turned out for you. Hopefully a more condensed account of your crash-course cycling experience will convince others to consider using the fishless method in their own tanks.

 

[Ajones108]

I am very thrilled to finally be putting him into the tank, but it will be so worth it. Healthy fish, beautiful, easy to maintain tank... How much more could a college kid ask for?

Not to mention Survivor will be getting the rest of the gravel from Shif's old medium critter keeper, the wisteria in the critter keeper, and the 25W heater instead of the hydor mini so I can finally fill his tank up. XD His tail is looking lovely, new pictures will come this weekend, if not sooner.

 

[Ajones108]

90% new 10% old now. And I got his cup floating in the tank. Boy he didn't like that water exchange, he barely had any left. lol. Very soon he shall be free.

 

[Ajones108]

Shif is IN the tank.

Although we have a slight problem. I'm using a plain-jane filter sponge on the filter to slow the water flow/redirect the flow. But it still seems to be too strong for him. He's found the hard spot of the flow, and the spots where the flow is slower. In this tank he can't really corner surf. >.> I'm going to keep adjusting the little sponge thing and try to slow the flow a little more, but I might have to make a store-run for a better sponge since this one seems to be too small to make a difference. Ho hum.

 

[Ajones108]

... That is not good. Even with the pre-filter sponge on the intake, I just noticed that his tail rays got pulled towards it. Now I have to figure out how to soften this filter internally...

 

[Lion Mom]

I have Narcolepsy, Lion Mom.
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/narcolepsy

Yeah, the temp is staying between 80 and 82 now. I can't really get much better than this, so acclimation is starting now. I'll keep an eye on that heater at all times.

50% old tank water 50% new tank water with temperatures both around 82 degrees

WOW - that must be TOUGH!!!! Hope you are able to control it with some of the steps they have on WebMD.

SO glad you FINALLY got him in. Any pics yet?

 

[Ajones108]

Tomorrow when I'm off of class I'm going to put the intake tube back where it was, Lion Mom. I want to be able to watch him to make sure it's not too strong.

As for the sponge, if I pull it down it begins to overflow over the top.

He seems to be doing excellently though. He's learned where the calm spots are, where the currents are, etc. I'm going to continue to monitor him though, because if he starts struggling I'm gonna have to cup him.


As for the Narcolepsy, it really is tough. I'm on medication for the rest of my life and with college it's even more difficult because once I get tired, I can't study. It's terrible.

 

[vaygirl]

That's a challenge I can't imagine.

I'm glad you got everything worked out. He'll adjust to the filter. Tango lived with a 30 gallon rated filter for over a year. And don't worry too much about his fins getting sucked to the pre-filter. My guys do it sometimes and it doesn't hurt. It gets coated with slimy bacteria anyway so it's not really rough. He should be alright. I'm glad he's in!

 

[Lion Mom]

Tomorrow when I'm off of class I'm going to put the intake tube back where it was, Lion Mom. I want to be able to watch him to make sure it's not too strong.

As for the sponge, if I pull it down it begins to overflow over the top.

He seems to be doing excellently though. He's learned where the calm spots are, where the currents are, etc. I'm going to continue to monitor him though, because if he starts struggling I'm gonna have to cup him.


As for the Narcolepsy, it really is tough. I'm on medication for the rest of my life and with college it's even more difficult because once I get tired, I can't study. It's terrible.

Hmmmm - perhaps a bigger aquarium sponge/foam is in order?

SO glad he is doing well & can't WAIT to see pics of the whole set up!

I just can't IMAGINE how tough living with Narcolepsy is!!! I have heard of it, but never knew anybody with it before. Not that I really "KNOW" you, but you know what I mean. Best of luck to you dealing with it.

 

[Ajones108]

Pictures and a video coming in a couple minutes.

Lion Mom - I know what you mean. Thank you. My mom's been diagnosed for 12 years and I'm actually on the same medication she is just on 2 pills a day instead of her 3. They just had to up my dosage a couple weeks ago.

 

[Ajones108]

PICTURE TIME (Let's not forget Survivor)

Day I got Survivor - http://i55.tinypic.com/2nir6m9.jpg
9 Days Later - http://i52.tinypic.com/4hsg74.jpg
21 Days Later - http://i53.tinypic.com/2vv6syb.jpg
A couple days after I got him the longer parts of his fins broke off. Then his tail proceeded to fill in gradually, curving somewhat on the inside. 21 days later was yesterday.

5 gallon video (Short, because my camera ate my batteries)
How I first had my sponge baffle - http://i54.tinypic.com/11ky4h0.jpg
What I did to fix it - http://i51.tinypic.com/29p2p2a.jpg

The whole setup - http://i51.tinypic.com/16h7m7n.jpg

I was so worried last night that Shif wouldn't find a spot to "sleep" since he normally corner surfs at night and all these corners the currents were still pushing him. I shut his tank light off shortly before I climbed into bed to let him get settled. Before I slept, I indirectly shined a flashlight in his tank, and he was nestled in the wisteria, unresponsive. So he found a place to sleep. I was happy.

Enjoy everyone. <3

 

[Lion Mom]

FANTASTIC - WELL DONE!!!

Shif looks GREAT in his wonderful new house & Survivor is REALLY doing well.

CONGRATS!!!

 

[Ajones108]

I'm thrilled.

 

[wallywestisthebest333]

I echo LionMom's sentiments! =] Well done!

Darn those Fluval filter intake covers really look nice! I might just go name brand and ditch my DIY intake sponges! XD

I LOVE the plants you chose and that marimo ball! <3

 

[celine18]

wow, this has been stressful to read, i can't imagine living it...
its been very informative, tho, and i'll be attempting to cycle my 10 gallon soon, and this will be very helpful, so thanks for putting this up!!! your tank's beautiful, btw

 

[Ajones108]

Thank you. Sorry the thread is so extensive. I plan to shorten and re-post it soon. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[celine18]

the length of the thread isn't too bad. i think the other people's comments are very helpful along with your experience. i will most deffinetly be coming to you with questions, if you don't mind!!!