Another old hobby flame kindled

[Shadowhntr]

I don't know what made me do it....other then I've tossed around getting back into it and to tell the truth I've missed it a lot. It's been a good 5 years I think...

Out of the blue last weekend, all of a sudden like, I just HAD to relocate all my gear and equipment. I found one thing after another up in the dusty ol attic, still wrapped in plastic protected as the day I stored it all up there. As always I couldn't find my last few precious items and a bad mood started to creep upon me after a while of looking. And as always my sweet discerning wife quietly mumbled she'd go up there and take a look....yup....as always my sweet wife came down with an arm load of stuff I forgot I even had along with my missing pieces. Love that women!
In any case fellas, you already know I'm into bows, guns, trapping, camping, hiking, and music.....but what you didn't know is I'm also a long time and well edjumacated aquarist. Dont roll your eyes....theres way more to it then throwing in fish with some water and a filter an callin er done. You can do that...and likely pay the cost with floaters.
Besides I've not kept normal fish....i normally keep monsters that enjoy taking a bit of blood from you if you aren't careful and that's if they like you. I like big tank bruising aggressive cichlids (pronounced "sick lids" ) that are a real challenge to keep in the confines of the aquarium for the amount of waste they produce and the high quality water they require. But I've also kept very sensitive small species quite sucessfully both tropical and natives. Done it for a long time taking care of a 75 gallon oceanic, 55 gallon standard, a 29 gal standard, a 20 gal long breeder, and a 10 gal or two.....all at the same time.....you can imagine with weekly cleanings of these tanks how I reached a breaking point and finally dismantled all of them into storage.

I decided to break out the 20 long, because it's an easy one to maintain and right at the moment all I've room for. I decided to get my tank to "speed cycle" to gain the needed benificial bacteria that allows aquarium life, known as the nitrogen cycle. Normally it takes well over a month to cycle a tank to get it mature enough to stock "desired" (interpreted sensitive) fish in it. With today's products available it only took 3 days! I woke up to a cycled tank just this morning. I'm keeping cichlids mainly again but of the sensitive mini type, German Blue Rams to be specific. I've also got a few rummy nosed tetras in there for dither fish to distract the lil cichlid fighters from pestering each other so much.

[Shadowhntr]

Here is a shot of the unfinished aquarium which will get more plants soon. No, im not messing with real plants....been there done that...love them but I'm not wanting work I'm wanting enjoyment.

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[Graps]

An Ichthyologist?
I've seen how you handle the big cats.
Good luck and enjoy.

[Shadowhntr]

Here are a couple pics and later, a video of the lil rams. They are about 3/4" long! Full grown they could hit 3". I've already seen signs of bonding happening and may get a spawn in the near future. I don't care if the babies make it...if they do great but I'm unconcerned. More then anything these fish emit vibrant colors esp when spawning. So we'll see... As soon as the vid is loaded I'll post for a good look at the lol buggers.

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Here is a vid of a pair beginning to bond...

https://youtu.be/B9FTZ5JYqOk

[Graps]

Net setup you have there.
I many years ago had Red Tiger Oscars.
Very entertaining.

[Shadowhntr]

Net setup you have there.
I many years ago had Red Tiger Oscars.
Very entertaining.

Thanks!....Hey those are Cichlids too! I love Oscars And red tigers are the BEST Oscar imo!

An Ichthyologist?

Some might say so if they knew my history... I've been on innumerable collections of many different riffle species I've studied...mainly Darters but also Madtoms and stone cats. I've collected in Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas (A ton!), and Oklahoma. Several of the species are now under protection because of loss of habitat and water quality. I've held in my hand/net, some of the most beautiful fish.... it's unfortunate and likely in a few years most of the human population will have to see them only in pictures. Most folks don't even know they even exist...so they don't care. There are big ramifications though headed our way, and these fish are telling us that.....but I won't get into that now.

[Shadowhntr]

I've got the vid posted above with the pics now....resolution sucks and I don't know how to fix that yet...

[Captainkirk]

Great minds think alike.
There is a (rather dirty) 55 gallon freshwater aquarium in my living room going on about 8 years now or so? Down to a few tetras and some suckerfish. Time for a thorough cleaning and restocking soon, but like you I like to watch them, not clean up after them. I had a pair of baby cats that did very well as bottom feeders but both have died in the last year.

[Shadowhntr]

Doing more additions both in cover, fish, and pic taking...

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[Captainkirk]

Love it, Jase!