180 Acrylic Set-Up

[eden2020]

So the tank build continues.. and I finally found my camera..

Since last update I have added a few fish (23 cyprichromis Masala), a trio of Lethrinops Red Cap Chirwa, a male Blue Regal Peacock (just for a little while), and a 5 pack of Juli Marlieri.

The pics show the rock work better and some of the fish. All of the Phenos, Foss, and Synos I grew out from fry acquired when I lived in WV and FL. It's been a long time coming but I think I have the smallest colored up Fossochromis in history. He can't be more than 4 or 5 inches total and already trying to breed like crazy. So far he has been interrupted by the Multipunctatus. I am glad I madce the decision to break up the tank some and use lace rock on one side. It created quite a cave. It took my days to get all the rock work placed. Kind of an art to it.. sometimes you get lucky.. I am pleased at how it turned out. What you don't see in the pics are the small hiding spots and smaller holed holey rock hidden throughout that gives refuge from aggression and may allow a fry or two to survive.

[eden2020]

I forgot to mention that I also added three what were referred to as "Zebra Calvus" which I have been told is actually a Alto. Compressiceps. Anyway they found a home in the 180 and love sliding through the narrowest of passages. They barely swim and glide more than anything else, and provide a cool mix to the tank.

Here's a shot of the middle of the tank near the overflow (that isn't drilled)..

And a couple shots of the new spray bar before paint and glue. You can see that I stole a table from the wife for my project. My plan is to have two FX5s running the tank with one FX5 returning to the spraybar and the other returning through a marine style nozzle by Loc-Line. I am using 3/4 PVC. The project was relatively cheap until Loc-Line was involved. But I wanted some options so I went with a split return to four nozzles. I have 3/4 inch round nozzles, and 3 inch flat nozzles. Not sure what will win out, I will test both. My goal was to adjust these for any possible dead spots in the tank. In theory it seems good, we'll see what the reality is.

[danielratti]

Won't the fossos eventually eat the cyps?

[eden2020]

I guess someday they could.. but currently there has been no issues.. Actually the Foss at their current size tend to school together.. and the cyps school with them.. Its funny to watch. The Cyp group I have average from 2-3 inches or so.. The Foss are 4-5 inches. I fugure I have a year before I need to worry.

-Marc

[jcunningham0295]

Very nice tank.  The fosso is looking nice as well as the phenos and the cyps have to be loving all that room.

[eden2020]

Thanks and Yes.. The cyps have their run... All are doing quite well now, thanks again for bringing them to the auction. Males are getting their color back now and the tank has pretty nice harmony.