Jaster's 55G Angel Tank

**Jaster** · 06-20-2009, 06:15 PM

Well I finally got the Angel tank up and going!! I spent the better part of the day getting everyone moved from the main tank. That took a while... But I half filled the tank with the water from the main tank and filled the rest with tap. I also took media from the Emperors in the main tank and used them for this tank. So far with this mornings test everything is holding steady. The Ph is a bit on the high side at 7.6-7.8. No clue why... we'll see what happens in the next few days.
Everyone seemed to do ok through the move from the main tank though. A little spooked at first but a few bloodworms got everyone out of hiding... lol.

I decided to go with an Asian type theme. Sort of Zen Garden scene. I still have a lot to do to the background and decor though. I just grabbed a few things at petsmart so there would at least be something in there. I found some really cool white tuffa(sp?) rock that I'm planning on picking up next week or so and setting that along the back of the tank. I might put a row of different height bamboo in front of that. Maybe some of those small flat stones and make a pattern in the sand.

I also picked up two new addition for the tank. The first is another BN and the other is juvie Koi Angel.
Everyone seems to be getting along pretty well. A few short chases but thats about all. Everyone is trying to pick out new homes... lol

Equipment is pretty basic right now. I might upday the hood to an all glass and update the cheapo lights. We'll see.

single tube perfect-a-strip 40W light with a 50/50 bulb
Emperor 400
Visitherm 250W heater.

**Jaster** · 06-20-2009, 06:16 PM

Well last night the Angels got their first real dose of live food. I needed to make some room in the fry tank so the Mollys I have there (who won't be food) can grow out some more so I can get them to the main tank or trade them with my fish guy. So out came the 15 guppy fry.
I have to admit it was kind of cool to watch the horror that followed. lol
I placed the fry in all at the same time and in the same spot and they all bunched together. Normally I would think safety in numbers but soooo wasn't the case here. lol My largest Angel "Beauty" came ripping through the group with her mouth open and I'm pretty sure she got at least 3 in her first pass. Shipped around and went back through the group taking one more. The fry scattered only to find no place to hide in this very open new tank and there were Angels in every corner. At least half the group was gone in seconds. For the next couple minutes it was mad dashes through the tank as the remaining fry ran for their lives. In under 5 minutes it was all over.
I felt bad for them but I couldn't help being amazed by the hunt and honestly a little entertained by it... lol
Everyone in the house was around the tank. Even though there were a few "eewwws" from the girls they were glued to the tank. It was funny to listen to the "run guppy run... no don't go ever there!!" They were so hopeful that someone might find a place to hide and made me promise that if one survived the hour I would take him out and he would be "Lucky2". lol
The boys... well... their boys. They were rooting for the Angels and were rather disappointed when the tank didn't turn blood red... Then they wanted to add one fry at a time and keep track of who was the best hunter/killer in the tank... I have twisted kids...
One thing I found rather cool was the pack hunting mentality the Angels had. I watched 3 Angels take a group of 5 fry and trap them in bottom corner. 2 from either side and one from above. What really blew my mind was that an Angel would dive in and grab a fry then back out a little. Then the next Angel would go in grab a fry and return, then the 3rd did the same. Then it went back to the first Angel (who also was the biggest of that group) and took the last two. I was amazed by the precision and how organized it seemed to be.
Next time I'm going to have to set up the video camera for this.

**Jaster** · 06-20-2009, 06:17 PM

Did the next round of testing in the angel tank. So far so good. Nitrates are about 5-10, nitrites are 0, and ammonia was between 0-0.25. I did a quick 25% water change and retested. Ammonia was at 0 and nitrates had only dropped to a solid 5. works for me.

Everyone seems to be getting along well enough. Though I do think I need a few more corners. With not have the background rock and caves yet there seems to some debate on who's taking what spot. That will be solved soon enough though once I get some plants in there.

But so far so good!

**bushwhacker** · 06-20-2009, 08:12 PM

tank looks good jaster, a bit too symetrical for me.. but still nice

**Northernguy** · 06-20-2009, 08:34 PM

Very nice tank!
You could make it more challenging for your angels to eat with a bit floating plant in there!The fry will live a few seconds longer too. lol

**Jaster** · 06-20-2009, 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by bushwhacker

tank looks good jaster, a bit too symetrical for me.. but still nice

I was thinking that too... thats ok it will do for now until I can the rock and plants in there.

Whats a few more seconds?

**jackson17** · 06-20-2009, 09:45 PM

How many can you fit in a 55 gallon when full grown? I wanna do this once I free up my 55 gallon. Tanks looks amazing to. I love how clear it is and the aqua scaping

**PostalPenguin** · 06-20-2009, 10:21 PM

Looks good. My tigers love fry too, I definitely think it makes the fish happier.

**bushwhacker** · 06-20-2009, 10:46 PM

tick tick tick.... the seconds keep flyin by lol..... wheres the pics bud??

**Jaster** · 06-23-2009, 01:29 PM

WOOHOO I've tested the water all week and it's still perfect!! no ammonia and no nitritres! the nitrates are holding steady at 10. Gotta love used media.

So far everyone is getting along well too for the most part. I need to get some plants in the tank though. I hope to be able to do that this week. I'm still having a hard time finding white stone to use though. I did find some white tufa stone that might do but the pieces are pretty small... was hoping to find something a bit bigger...
Any suggestions?