105: Hopkins 20g Tall 'Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time'

Welcome aquarium hobbyists, aquascapers, fish keepers, Andrew followers, Internet people and fellow humans!  

As you read this week's post check out the added information to the site.  Pages have new information with bios and links.  

This post may look short. My PS section is now after the entire tank.  There was entirely too much side chat. By separating the two I feel better about my rants.  As always, I’d love to hear your input.  You're welcome to send a comment or email.

This was a setup I had in Hopkins MN.  It's a 30 gallon tall.  The setup and colors of the photos make these one of my favorite tank of the past.  If I had the peace of mind and experience I could have done many adjustments before taking this photo to improve the quality.  This was about 2 or 3 years into my hobby.  You'll see the background is a mix of images spanning the years of 1999 to 2001 from Juxtaposition Magazine.  Looking at the background today I'm intrigued at my choice of pictures.  Simple in layout the design has balance with seven different plants in the tank.  

Enjoy!

-Andrew

105:
Hopkins 20g Tall
'Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.'

If you look closer, there are a dozen Krib fry with the mother on the right hiding behind the leafs.

 

More fry images here with the mothers tail in the center.

PS>

Hello everyone.  Here is my chance to add a little more than aquarium topics.  Check out the pages like talks a little about my post scripts.

Week two of Wisconsin’s union struggle.  The state congress passed a union busting bill. It's now on to the state senate.  Humor helps.  I’ve been listening to a lot of Dylan and Springsteen this week and that’s seemed to have helped too.  

I'm always learning about the internet and the various ways to use it.  I wanted to suggest a use I have found to be very useful.  RSS feeds allow you to stay connected with many internet sources by managing the information they post in a convenient way.  Once you have a RSS reader, subscribe to all the www’s and .com's you want to stay in touch with.  I use Googles Reader. An example of how the feeds work are this list on this blogs are feeds. 

I ran across an interesting tool that Google has come up with.  Simply tell it a recipe search and it'll give you options to add or take away certain ingredient, change calorie count or cook time as well as a bunch of other filters based around cooking.

I had some good times with music this week.

Talking with a friend about how bad reggae music is and I forgot to express a bigger point about the music style.  With substance greater than style, words have a great impact with simplicity.  Take a few minutes to check out a song from my man Bob Marley in music and word.

Thom Yorke's Black Swan (explicit)  Thom Yorke is an excellent artist I ran across the other week while listening to Pandora’s station for Radiohead.  I've been a fan of electronic music most of my adolescent and adult life.  This style is a simple beat driven music that offers a darker side.  This inter-perspective, melody educed trace that is easy to get caught into.  I haven't seen Black Swan yet but from the reviews this song match's well.  It's an interesting video too.

A few more links I can across over the week that’s worth sharing.

• Marvin Gaye sings American National Anthem uTube Video
• Beck’s Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Music Video 

Thank you for checking out my blog.  

We will see you next week!

104: Legacy Tank, The Start Up

Hello everyone and welcome to another Andrew Slaikeu's Aquarium Blog post.  Thanks for checking out my aquariums that I've setup through out my years in this hobby.  This tank is so new it's still waiting to be fully setup with water or any plants or fish.

Are you a Criagslister?  Have you gone out and dealt with the both posting and responding to ads? The lighting equipment and CO2 ($150 for both) on my tank is from a Craigslist ad.  When I went to pick it up, the seller warned my about the algae build up that would occur.  Looking at the rig to make sure it worked properly I noticed he had the lights on a twenty four hour cycle; yikes.  Blue atinic was on twelve and the 10k was on twelve. I didn't have the heart to tell him, figuring he was already ditching the hobby.  A good idea for future projects, if your going to have an expensive rig, do a little reading on the internet.  Wikipedia and wikiHow are internet research staple sites. Where do you go on the internet for research?  I would like to know.

I've picked this tank as a challenge.  Expanding on the limits set to my previous post, The Office Experiment, just on a much larger scale. There won't be an aquarium care discipline missing on this tank.

The questions I hope you answer with this build are can I sustain a tank with high lighting and CO2 at this capability.  The other question is with the tank two feet behind me, can I work next to it with a chance of it being a distraction and will this help rationalize putting some extra hours in at work.

At work, management is very understanding that I have no windows in sight at my desk.  With this monster of a life support aquarium, I get some sanity.  I'll reflect on a story I heard during the miners rescue months ago that study show depression may occur with prolonged lack of sunlight.  The lights in the tank show similar frequencies to sunlight and are exactly the same used in light therapies  (10K light bulbs can do wonders for people with seasonal affective disorder that can be common when you live in an arctic tundra for 5 months or work long hours without being exposed to sunlight).   

The CO2 and bulbs and lighting system all are found on Craigslist.  Some of the lessons learned are stated above but here is one more.  The light bulbs are freak'n expensive.  There just aren't two ways to say it.  At $45 to $65 a bulb you've got to get creative like go online.  I've never been the person to pick the lowest rated seller on Amazon to get the best price so I got lucky by running across a post on Craigslist.  This guy had 8 bulbs.  I got four 10k bulbs for $40!  Here's the bummer.  When I talked with the guy and sent emails I could tell I was working with a business guy so it was pleased.  When I met him at a local food spot there was a magnetic door sign on his car.  He was a contractor and I recognized the logo.  Perfect.   We exchanged and I went to the office to check them out and sure enough one of the bulbs was broken.  Sending an email and not expecting to hear back I learned a valuable lesson.  The glass fragments were fine enough that it could have been my fault.  I didn't take the time to look at them so who's to say. 

Being there isn't any driftwood or large rocks, I want to grown in thick healthy plants throughout the tank.

Purchased as my very first fish tank, this 37 gallon tall aquarium dimensions are 30"H x 12" W x 24" T.  The stand is the bottom half of a hutch that Jennifer had.

The lighting system was a great find on Craigslist.  The setup has two 21' CLFs 55w 10k with two fans.  I had to perform surgery on this light.  The fan was incredibly loud originally. I purchased two quite 55mm fans online and re-wired them to two power supplies purchased at Axeman Surplus.  A digital timer ($30) is going to provide power to the tank. This timer is digital and is the bee's knee's.  Eight outlets total, four have separate timers which it perfect for power-heads and the solenoid CO2 control.  I'll document the timing element in a later post once this tanks up and running.

This CO2 rig is the real deal.  Far from the DYI yeast and sugar packet of my past tanks.  An electronic solenoid controls the release of CO2 flowing into a power-head to disperse it in the tank.

You'll see in the pictures below I have installed a substrate heater from Red Sea called Root Therm ($50). This unit promotes a small amount of water current where plants absorb the most nutrients, the soil.

You might be asking, why there isn't water or anything in it.  Great question, the reasons are many.  Most of them being centered on the time and energy that will be put into this task.  I can't be distracted so I'm waiting to hit a few goals at work. This is going to be my personal reward though I've been given the go-ahead from management to get it 'watered-up'.

Well all the components are in place for a very nice planted tank. Thanks for looking and have a great week.  We'll see you next Monday for another post!  If you have ideas for plant life please let me know, I'm open to ideas and don't have plans set in stone.

PS>

Real quick, I want to say hello to a fish store that's helped me throughout the years.  Sea Level in Hopkins MN has hard working enthusiasts/hobbyists that can help with any setup you're looking for whether it's salt or freshwater.  Ask for John or Rob.

PPS> Recognizing the teachers and supporters in Wisconsin this past week.  I stand with the teachers, nurses, and all public employees of Wisconsin who are fighting for their rights.  Please know this protesting has a greater stake for the entire country.  Do your part to help keep the ability of collective bargaining rights for teachers and state employee unions.  Keep up the good fight!  Should it come to MN, you'll see me on the picket lines!

Post Post Post Script> To sandwich method my political thoughts, have you seen Conan's show lately?  He is funnier than ever before!  Team Co-Co!

 Now.  On to the tank!

Here is the full setup as is sits right now.

I just brought the tank in the office.

Here is my first attempt at the substrate heated wire layout.  I wanted
the wires to hang off the left side with everything else.

Here is the final placement for substrate heater wires.

103: The Office Experiment: Start up (Dec 2010 - Feb 2011)

Hello everyone and welcome to my Aquarium Blog, my name is Andrew Slaikeu. Thank you for visiting. 


This entry was going to be my first post.  Last Monday when I checked the post one more time I noticed the photos and captions were missing and was forced to post my alternate that was incomplete instead of posting nothing because I had already made a few notices about starting this blog.  Writing the captions once again, not only did I miss details but it wasn't as exciting (similar to warping Christmas gifts for a third time; you can ask my family about that one, I had done the opening of say gifts at a very young age). 

Before I start, a quick hello and thanks to a few people that sparked an idea of creating multimedia content to share and connect with people using the internet.  An inter-perspective and political comedian Mark Maron, his pod-cast WTF and local comedian and poker-playing-money-taking friend Corey Adam, thank you and please never stop creating. 

OK, about the tank already, The Office Experiment idea came to me December 2010.  To this date I have never put together a tank with so many controls in such a small space.  If all comes to plan, submitting an entry to the 2011 or 2012 AQA Contest would be amazing.

My hope is to have taller semi-aquatic plants that grow over the sides or have a lawn effect that covers the bottom evenly.  I plan on making this tank a heavily planted. Though it's small in size, I am open to having the plants overwhelm.  High output lighting, carbon dioxide injection, daily trace fertilizing and ground tablet fertilizing; the plan is to not miss a key area for a high level aquascape.   For fish, I would love to have either Blue German Ramirezi or Apistogrammas accompanying the plants.

Found by Craigslist posting. This Mr.Aqua 12 gallon long tank was originally listed for $65 (sold new for around $100 with shipping).  After about 4 weeks of back and forth I purchased this beauty for $45.  Nice woman and easy to deal with.  Thank you again Craigslist.

The tanks inch of clay substrate is covered by a half inch of gravel.  The light is a Corallife 24" 65w 10K CFL.  I have two hang-on filters and plan to get a canister to remove the unsightliness.  The timer is setup for 11 hours with 15 minute breaks for every 45 minutes on.  Finally, hanging on the back is a Nutrafun CO2 reactor with a ladder disperser.

Before you go looking at the photos please note that I started this blog to share my hobby and this doesn’t mean that I am showing off my skills.  On the contrary, you’ll see many of my tanks needing improvement.   Learn with me & teach me.

Enjoy additional information with each photo, the build is explained through the captions.

Thank you,

Andrew

PS>

Amazing news in Egypt last Friday, February 11th 2011.  Congratulations to a successful demonstration of the people!

PPS> 
Hey!  One last thing, I had my car serviced at Amigo's and have gone there for many years.  If you're in South Minneapolis, check them out.  The dealer I bought my VW from wanted a large sum of money for a 90k maintenance service and I ended up only paying three Jackson's.  Helped that my car was is in top form.  Now on to the tank!

Basic start up here. I looked at dirt for a couple 
weeks thinking about what to center this around.
I had decided months ago I wanted this size and 
sure enough it can through on a Craigslist ad.  
(12/15/2010)

First full tank. (12/26/2010, above)

About those custom made light supports; I got the fine idea 
of duct taping wire hangers together.  Do the math 65w bulb
9 inches away from the substrate.  Can you say algae? 
You thought that genus ended there, no-no, just wait for a 
few more images.

....what’s that camera on my phone?  Your auto
correcting processors can’t handle that much light?

Before I show you those dreaded algae shots, I'll show 
you the second version of my improvised stand.  Taller wire 
hangers with duct tape; that was the improvement. 
You'll see the wood legs I end up using on the right.

Before the heavy algae growth.

You can guess how much algae was on 
the slate rock covering up the CO2 ladder. 

Spending some time with my crafty father, we 
came up with a platform to hold the lighting rig.  You 
can see the backdrop, CO2 canister and spiderweb 
of cords.  I might have to raise this more or change 
to a lower wattage bulb. I'll spray paint to match the 
color once the algae is under control.

So there you have it.  It’s the beginning of a long story with this tank.

102: 'Isn't it Grand' 37 Gallon Tall

Isn't it Grand

This 37 gallon tall aquarium is setup in my living room.  Placed on a stand made from iron L bar that I arc welded some 11 years ago.  Interesting side note, the company I purchased the steal from is now partnered with my current employer.  The lighting setup is two T5 18w 6.5k from an Eclipse 3 hood, the filter and plastic light cover is long gone as these sit on a custom cut glass protecting the fish from jumping out.  This cut-away hood casts a nice light on the back on the wall where the tank is setup.  Large Rena canister filters the water with 2 Maxjet power-heads providing good water circulation for the fish.

The fishing in the tank: 8 Boeseman's Rainbowfish,2 Millennium Rainbowfish, 3 kribensis cichlid, 1 pleco and a beat up tetra that's been around for about 5 tank moves.

The tanks history and breakdown continues with each image caption.

Enjoy!


We'll see you next week with another post on Monday Feb 14th, 'The Office Experiment, 12 Gallon Long'.
-Andrew

Check out my first uTube video, this tank!

This its current state. 
I'm grown in the java moss on the right.   My plan it cover the Larger drift wood in the middle. The trace element drops from Sera sure have helped.

Nice side shot.  I need to get a shot that isn't so shaky.

Bad condition here.  Poor plants.  My fiancee and I had just moved so I didn't get the proper care.  I had to combine my 20 tall and two 37s.

This is poor plant quality, at this point I had setup a 20 gallon tall tank that took some plant from the picture above.  That tank is another soon to be blogged tank. 

I had a smaller tank that help krib fry, during the transfer the paired couple did there 'thang' so I had too keep them.

This still didn't have any trace elements from Sera added, good water change with these basic plants show it doesn't take much.

It's my new blog and my first ever. Welcome and thank you for visiting.

Welcome family, friends and internet community!  I am happy to be starting my first blog ever.  Having enjoyed this hobby for over 11 years, I now am creating a blog.  Since there are photographs for every tank I've created, this gives me a chance to display my aquariums.

In a few hours I will be posting the first tank so stay tuned!

This form of communication and outreach is new and exciting.  Since I enjoy visiting aquarium websites that show the story and journey, if you know of a good way to get my name out there please let me know as this is a way for me to give back!  It's fun to think about how many people I can reach on this type of platform.

Please feel free to comment to offer your stories and advice.

Thank you again!
Andrew