Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: GrizzlysDad on January 27, 2013, 04:32:16 AM

Title: 180g Clown Loach Set Up
Post by: GrizzlysDad on January 27, 2013, 04:32:16 AM
Step-by-step details of setting up the 180g for my Clown Loaches
This tank is in memory of the late John Piippo (I bought the tank from his estate)

~Sunday 12:30am Just getting started {This needs to be done asap due to knee surgery on Monday}
~Sunday 1:05am Background is on, 250-lbs of sand is in, and the Python is hooked up and running.
~Sunday 1:50am Spent the last 45mins rinsing a bunch of rocks and driftwood; tank is now filled 2/3 with 80+ degree water.
~Sunday 2:00am Heaters are now in place and set at 81 degrees F. {one 400w and one 300w submersibles}
~Sunday 4:15am All done!!  Driftwood and rocks are in place and the tank is topped off.{Now just hoping there are no issues}

Here is the Live Stock

~Two 10"+ L-014 Goldy Plecos
~One 10"+ L-240 Leporacanthicus cf. galaxias
~One  6"+ L-097 Pseudacanthicus sp.
~Four 4"+ L-351 Panaqolus sp.
~Twenty-eight Clown Loaches ranging from 5" up to 12"

p.s.
All the plecos have been sold and are awaiting shipment with the exception of the L-240.
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: Regalblue on January 27, 2013, 08:05:03 AM
Sunday 8;05am .. still No pictures.  :P
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: Helloitsme on January 27, 2013, 08:58:54 AM
FWIW Tony, I have found that live plants and Clown Loaches do not get along. I think it's largely due to the amount of activity in the tank at night. Mine liked to dig in the substrate. Anubuias sp. seem to due okay but I would try to avoid the softer leaved stuff, they'll just get tore up.
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: mandalawi on January 27, 2013, 10:42:30 AM
Pics. Definitely needed. What Lind of lighting and filtration are you using?
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: GrizzlysDad on January 27, 2013, 12:11:26 PM
Sunday 8;05am .. still No pictures.  :P

 ;D That's funny Blair  ;D  Actually, pics will not be forthcoming due to cloudy water...still hasn't cleared up yet.

FWIW Tony, I have found that live plants and Clown Loaches do not get along. I think it's largely due to the amount of activity in the tank at night. Mine liked to dig in the substrate. Anubuias sp. seem to due okay but I would try to avoid the softer leaved stuff, they'll just get tore up.
Yeah Chuck, I agree. I will be utilizing mostly Anubias of different leaf shape for diversity. They will be attached to the driftwood mostly. I am going to use some Jungle Val planted amongst piles of small rocks so the loaches can't dig the roots. I'll probably try that same thing with some of the tall Anubias sp.

Pics. Definitely needed. What Lind of lighting and filtration are you using?
I took a few pics as I was setting up but as I mentioned, it's too clouded up for pics at the moment.
Filtration is three AC-110's. Lighting is just a single strip light temporarily. Clown loaches do not care for bright light so it will not be extensive. I will have a cool moonlight project I will post about later today...I need to go pick up the parts.

Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: Steve on January 27, 2013, 12:41:25 PM
No pics then it never happened. Although I am reading this on the internet so it has to be true :P ;D

I've never had a clown loach but always thought they were a cool fish, may have to get a few when I get that big tank set up. Aren't they the fish that makes a clicking sound at times or something like that?
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: vaudeville on January 27, 2013, 02:28:11 PM
Are you done clowning around now
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: GrizzlysDad on January 27, 2013, 03:24:21 PM
No pics then it never happened. Although I am reading this on the internet so it has to be true :P ;D

I've never had a clown loach but always thought they were a cool fish, may have to get a few when I get that big tank set up. Aren't they the fish that makes a clicking sound at times or something like that?

Yes they do make clicking sounds...really cool to hear.


Are you done clowning around now

LOL, I'll never stop "Clowning" around Rob  ;D

p.s. I got your voice message yesterday...I was at Jeff's and didn't get the message until late.
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: Ron on January 27, 2013, 07:16:29 PM
Sounds like an amazing tank!

Still hoping to breed the clowns? Would they do so in a crowded environment or do they need to be separated? I don't know anything about it.  :-[
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: mightieskeeper on January 27, 2013, 10:09:40 PM
Tony you are killing me with these photoless posts.  We want to photos! Lol
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: RichE on January 27, 2013, 10:22:57 PM
did you use PFS if so you are going to need to do a few water changes to get the cloudiness to go away, i know from first hand experience :P
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: GrizzlysDad on January 28, 2013, 02:22:36 AM
Sounds like an amazing tank!

Still hoping to breed the clowns? Would they do so in a crowded environment or do they need to be separated? I don't know anything about it.  :-[

Hopefully I will be breeding them but that is still way down the line. The research I have been doing indicates the loaches can be kept in a large group to breed them, in fact, probably increases the odds. As for the plecos in the tank, they are just temporary residents until I get them their own 6' tank  ;)


Tony you are killing me with these photoless posts.  We want to photos! Lol

Wouldn't be much of a pic...just cloudy water, LOL
Be patient, I'll try to get some pics after I get mobile again.


did you use PFS if so you are going to need to do a few water changes to get the cloudiness to go away, i know from first hand experience :P

No, not PFS this time but I have used that in the past so I am aware of the effort needed.
The tank wasn't cloudy until I moved the fish...which then stirred the bottom up  ::)
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: four_by_ken on February 04, 2013, 03:05:30 PM
Its been about a week....


 8)
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: Regalblue on February 04, 2013, 03:21:28 PM
Its been about a week....


 8)
patience....  he just had surgery
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: four_by_ken on February 04, 2013, 03:24:52 PM
Its been about a week....


 8)
patience....  he just had surgery

I waited a week.  Thats about as patient as I get. 









(not sure what surgery... but, heal up and take your time)
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: Regalblue on February 04, 2013, 05:07:40 PM
Its been about a week....


 8)
patience....  he just had surgery

I waited a week.  Thats about as patient as I get. 









(not sure what surgery... but, heal up and take your time)
knee surgery - I don't think He's gonna be jumping up to take tank pictures.
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: GrizzlysDad on February 04, 2013, 05:26:28 PM
Sorry for the delays. The knee is doing fine but I have now gotten sick...as a dog.
The tank still looks like I feel...not well at all. I may be starting over on the tank when I feel better.
I will make sure to post on this thread when I get the tank done properly.
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: Michael Zebrowski on February 04, 2013, 09:41:56 PM
Don't worry about the tank.  Just take time, recover, and get better.
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: Rob S on February 05, 2013, 09:09:45 AM
Feel better soon Tony!
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: mandalawi on February 05, 2013, 01:20:30 PM
Hope you feel better and i hope the tank didn't go too south on you.  :(
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: GrizzlysDad on February 15, 2013, 02:16:49 AM
Okay, here are a few shots I took while setting up.

Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: GrizzlysDad on February 15, 2013, 02:19:41 AM
And a few more. The last one was actually taken with just the moonlight on and the room dark.
And yes, the attached info does say Allegheny National Forest...just happened to be the folder I filed the pics in temporarily.
Now for the bummer part...I ended up moving all the livestock back to the holding tank so I can redo the 180...again.
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: JeffroM on February 15, 2013, 02:24:32 AM
Love the goldies.
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: GrizzlysDad on February 15, 2013, 02:33:15 AM
Love the goldies.

Yeah, they are pretty sweet. Unfortunately I think I have two males...which means I'll just have to order in more and hope to get some girls  ;)
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: mightieskeeper on February 15, 2013, 09:32:02 PM
Tony those loaches and plecos are sweet.  I can't wait to see a full tank shot.
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: GrizzlysDad on February 16, 2013, 08:21:13 AM
Tony those loaches and plecos are sweet.  I can't wait to see a full tank shot.

Thanks Ryan...I hope to get it all done next week.
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: Steve on February 16, 2013, 09:45:12 PM
Good lookin' loaches Tony, I really like the color of them plecos as well 8)
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: Nick on February 16, 2013, 10:05:31 PM
Good lookin' loaches Tony, I really like the color of them plecos as well 8)

I like those too. They will look pretty sweet together.
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: mandalawi on February 16, 2013, 11:21:51 PM
I was going to ask today, when i was running if you had posted pics yet as ii had not been to the site in a few days.
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: NorthernAquatic on February 16, 2013, 11:49:27 PM
Hmm, I didn't see one pic of the Allegheny Forest.  ;D
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: NorthernAquatic on February 16, 2013, 11:50:48 PM
Also, I love the loaches.
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: GrizzlysDad on March 26, 2013, 06:53:06 PM
I had to redo the tank after my knee surgery and I took some additional pics while moving them from their holding tank.
Here's a few more pics...

Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: GrizzlysDad on March 26, 2013, 06:55:00 PM
and more...
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: GrizzlysDad on March 26, 2013, 06:57:23 PM
and....
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up
Post by: Super Turtleman on March 26, 2013, 11:36:54 PM
Nice.
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up
Post by: GrizzlysDad on March 27, 2013, 01:31:35 AM
Here are a couple tank shots...Clowns are all hiding though  ::)

Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up
Post by: four_by_ken on March 27, 2013, 06:46:09 AM
Such a unique setup to me.  I have never seen clown loaches that big, nor that many together like that.

Very nice.
Title: Re: 180g Clown Loach Set Up~Timed Updates
Post by: GrizzlysDad on March 27, 2013, 06:47:31 AM
Hmm, I didn't see one pic of the Allegheny Forest.  ;D

http://michigancichlid.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=1655.msg13416#msg13416