In The Shallows

[Staffylover]

The black sand has given it a much darker feel, I bet the Harlequins really stand out now

[fr499y]

Yup and the emperors really pop

[Martinspuddle]

I preferred it with the stones.

[fr499y]

I kind of did too, but the algae on the rocks, the calcium build up that I couldn't remove and the fine gravel full of BBA was the last straw.

[Staffylover]

BBA is a bit of a menace, SAE's are helpful and I like them but they get to a good size, in the 25l that I set up in December I have been trying out liquid carbon dosing along with ferts, also in that tank totally by accident I ended up with bladder snails must have come in with some plants, they are actually really pretty with gold speckles on their shells - anyway a bit later on I read that they are the only snail to reliably eat BBA, I have no idea if this is true or not but it seems to be working so far, for the newest set ups the 100l shellies tank and 70L hallway I actually ordered some off Ebay it's too soon to tell if it's working in those tanks yet, fingers crossed they don't cause more problems with overpopulation but figured it was worth the risk, all snails are useful after all, although personally I would rather not have MTS but I do quite like ramshorns

[fr499y]

The shrimp are certainly more happy and active with the darker substrate.

[fr499y]

The older female endlers seem to be dwindling a bit now, and I think I’ve lost one of my older harlequins, which have got to be 7+ years old now. I pulled out a skeleton last night thinking it was the harlequin but after having a count of endlers, I’m down to 3 females with two looking a bit worse for wear. I guess we will see in the morning just how many we have left.

[plankton]

That's a shame , will you get more females?

[fr499y]

I'm leaving it for now as I'm not sure how I want to the stocking to be. I might end up just leaving it with the harlequins in and tailor it more to them.

[Martinspuddle]

The older female endlers seem to be dwindling a bit now, and I think I’ve lost one of my older harlequins, which have got to be 7+ years old now. I pulled out a skeleton last night thinking it was the harlequin but after having a count of endlers, I’m down to 3 females with two looking a bit worse for wear. I guess we will see in the morning just how many we have left.

@fr499y, if need any females (Endlers ...calm down! ) I can always send you some.