Shoal & Stem
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Full Tank Log

· 18 entries
Update

Added a new filter

I added a new sponge filter. I removed the air stone bubbler and connected the new sponge filter to the airline tube. The sponge filter is rated for a 10 gallon but I mostly want it to support my HOB filter that I currently have. I also went ahead an…
Update

Water Top-Off & Plant Maintenance

Topped off approximately 3–4 gallons of evaporated water. Added a little plant fertilizer to the new water. Also clipped a few ugly leaves from the plants.

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Milestone

Another adventure night for Alf

Key moment
My vampire shrimp was active again last night. I saw him leave his cave around 10 pm and he explored for a few hours. He swims to multiple spots and hangs out for a bit before swimming to a new spot. He likes to hangout in the plants mostly. Of a lea…
Update

Water Top-off & Shrimp/Snail Treat Swap

Topped off approximately 3–4 gallons of evaporated water. Easy Shrimp and Snail Shell Treat was sold out, so used a Weco Wonder Shell as a substitute this time. This was done about 12 hours before today's parameter reading.

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Observation

Vampire shrimp spotted

My vampire shrimp was missing from his usual hiding spots so I checked every corner that is hard to see to see if I could find him. Turns out after 20 minutes of looking for him, he was just chilling out in the open with some neo’s. I saw him swim ar…
Rescape

Moved to a new apartment

Key moment
I moved to a new apartment and the fish had to move with me. I took out 50% of the water in a plastic tub with a lid. I then pulled out plants and big decor that won’t move around into that tub and dropped in the air stone. In the same tub, I put in…
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Observation

Water top off

Added about 3 gallons of water back into the tank after some evaporation. I dosed the plants a little bit and added a pinch of mineral salt to the new water. Baby platys are getting f bigger and show patterns and some coloring now. I spotted 3 or fou…
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Observation

Post water change activities.

Right after a small water change, the fish and shrimp became very active. A couple snails also enjoyed the change and the debris that resurfaced from the tank cleaning today. The bladder snail was floating at the surface enjoying the ride.

Update

Top-off & Filter Cleaning

Topped off ~4 gallons of evaporated water this morning to restore water level after heat wave evaporation. Also cleaned both the prefilter sponge and main filter media today. Heater disconnected due to heat wave.

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Update

Water Change & Maintenance

Full maintenance session. Dosed Easy Green all-in-one fertilizer. Replaced Easy Shrimp & Snail Shell Treat and swapped the catappa tea bag in the filter. Cleaned the prefilter sponge and rinsed the filter cartridges. Used air stone to knock debri…
Update

Prefilter sponge cleaning

Cleaned the prefilter sponge this morning. No water change performed.

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Observation

Fish observation day

Just a day full of observation. Watching shrimp and looking at their different colors. Watched the mama platys graze on the algae and floating plants. I see baby platys growing and showing colors and patterns. Watching the panda Corys sift through th…
Update

Prefilter cleaning

Checked water parameters today. They looked good. I cleaned the prefilter sponge in old tank water from last fridays water change. I keep the old water around for when I water my house plants.

Update

Hitchhiker

I noticed a small moving object in the tank a few days ago but couldn’t see anything when I tried to look for it to identify it. I finally saw what it was and it’s a bladder snail that must have came in with the last plants I brought in from LFS. It’…
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Observation

Post water change and new intros

Today was big day for the tank. I got new shrimp to help with tank clean up. And two nitrite snails too. The tank had a water change and a few things replenished like fertilizer for plants and shrimp treats and stuff for the fish. A tannin tea bag wa…
Update

Cleaning crew addition

Found some shrimp on sale from a local hobbyist and they are going to be added in today after a fresh water change.

Update

Weekly water change

Making a water change before adding in a few more shrimp and snails today.

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Observation

Observing the tank as it fills up.

Just conducted a water change and added some tannin leaves, mineral salt, and plant fertilizer and I’m just watching the tank fill back up. The fish and shrimp are being very active. It’s a peaceful tank so the shrimp and baby fry fish are able to ex…