Mandy's 130g Community Tank

**MandyK** · 02-28-2013, 05:54 PM

Hey everybody.

I don't have much to report today.
I tested my nitrates and they're sitting at a 5. I HAD planned on doing a W/C today, but I think I'm going to try and wait it out a day or two longer. Reason being; my supply of Prime is on the low side, and it freaks me out when I don't have a back up. I'm hoping that this week's check will permit me to get a new bottle so I don't have to worry about it.

My last W/C was about 4 days ago, so they should be okay for at most another two days.

Everyone in the tank is doing well and getting along.

I have observed absolutely not problems with the Angels trying to eat any body, not even the shrimp. The Bolivian and the Golden get on like sisters, and they seemed to have been inducted into the Serpae school. The Serpaes gave up chasing anybody in the tank weeks ago, and the loaches stay in their 'rock quarry'. I even saw a baby snail yesterday! It's been a while since I have been able to sustain snails for some reason, so I'm happy about that.

I think my next purchase stock wise will either be more Serpaes, or more Oto's. I need to do the Oto's more than the Serpaes, but my LFS has a good deal on young Serpaes right now. Hmmmmmm....

We've got just about all of the PVC we need to start the sump build, but we don't have the tubs yet... Lol.

Oh the things a budget can do to your hobbies.

**MandyK** · 02-28-2013, 05:55 PM

Hey everybody.

I don't have much to report today.
I tested my nitrates and they're sitting at a 5. I HAD planned on doing a W/C today, but I think I'm going to try and wait it out a day or two longer. Reason being; my supply of Prime is on the low side, and it freaks me out when I don't have a back up. I'm hoping that this week's check will permit me to get a new bottle so I don't have to worry about it.

My last W/C was about 4 days ago, so they should be okay for at most another two days.

Everyone in the tank is doing well and getting along.

I have observed absolutely not problems with the Angels trying to eat any body, not even the shrimp. The Bolivian and the Golden get on like sisters, and they seemed to have been inducted into the Serpae school. The Serpaes gave up chasing anybody in the tank weeks ago, and the loaches stay in their 'rock quarry'. I even saw a baby snail yesterday! It's been a while since I have been able to sustain snails for some reason, so I'm happy about that.

I think my next purchase stock wise will either be more Serpaes, or more Oto's. I need to do the Oto's more than the Serpaes, but my LFS has a good deal on young Serpaes right now. Hmmmmmm....

We've got just about all of the PVC we need to start the sump build, but we don't have the tubs yet... Lol.

Oh the things a budget can do to your hobbies.

**MandyK** · 02-28-2013, 05:58 PM

Having issues posting for some reason... Lets try this again.

Hey everybody.

I don't have much to report today.
I tested my nitrates and they're sitting at a 5. I HAD planned on doing a W/C today, but I think I'm going to try and wait it out a day or two longer. Reason being; my supply of Prime is on the low side, and it freaks me out when I don't have a back up. I'm hoping that this week's check will permit me to get a new bottle so I don't have to worry about it.

My last W/C was about 4 days ago, so they should be okay for at most another two days.

Everyone in the tank is doing well and getting along.

I have observed absolutely not problems with the Angels trying to eat any body, not even the shrimp. The Bolivian and the Golden get on like sisters, and they seemed to have been inducted into the Serpae school. The Serpaes gave up chasing anybody in the tank weeks ago, and the loaches stay in their 'rock quarry'. I even saw a baby snail yesterday! It's been a while since I have been able to sustain snails for some reason, so I'm happy about that.

I think my next purchase stock wise will either be more Serpaes, or more Oto's. I need to do the Oto's more than the Serpaes, but my LFS has a good deal on young Serpaes right now. Hmmmmmm....

We've got just about all of the PVC we need to start the sump build, but we don't have the tubs yet... Lol.

Oh the things a budget can do to your hobbies.

**~firefly~** · 02-28-2013, 07:06 PM

Got three updates! I wonder what's going on.

I think you should get more plants before you get more otos (so they have more cover)

**MandyK** · 02-28-2013, 10:48 PM

Oops... Lol. Plants are def on the list as well. :)

**MandyK** · 03-01-2013, 06:34 PM

**Aeonflame** · 03-01-2013, 07:06 PM

Tank is looking good. Are you planning on adding more substrate and planting it up?

**MandyK** · 03-01-2013, 07:24 PM

Yup, yup! I will be adding more substrate at some point, but not really for the purpose of planting. I just think it will look better.

I plan on adding a substantial piece of driftwood, and getting some nice low light plants to anchor to it. I'm hoping for something branchy that will take up some decent space.

Also plan on getting as much equipment out of the tank as possible when the sump is set up.

**KevinVA** · 03-02-2013, 12:19 AM

Looking great, Mandy! It's amazing how that tank dwarves your fish. haha Can't wait until you up your shoal of Serpaes. Once you add them, you should get a vid of them schooling (since it's pretty rare with them). I've noticed that if you ever add 2+ Serpaes to a tank full of Serpaes, they'll school for a few minutes. It's a rarity, but it looks awesome.

**MandyK** · 03-02-2013, 12:25 AM

Thanks Kevin!

My Serpaes school all the time! I kid you not. The Bolivian and the GR school with them, it's crazy. That is unless the Serpaes are schooling because they're freaked out by the other two following them.... Hmm.... Lol, that's something to think about.