Stephen's 550L tank log:

[Stephen]

Stephen's 600L 550L tank log
This is my tank log of my 6 foot 600L 550L aquarium dating back to Sunday 4th September 2016 to present day.
It is quite long so give yourself at least 10 minutes to read it all.
This tank log details the setting up, the mistakes, mishaps, frustrations, disasters and changes to the layout and changes to the stocking.

About myself & my history
I was born & live in Hereford, Herefordshire in 1959.
I went to an excellent Grammar school (1970-1975)
I was employed as an area sales manager for many years with different national companies.
In 1998 I was diagnosed with a spinal condition (narrowing of spinal canal and degeneration of spine) which ended my working career.
I struggle to walk, struggle to lift and other things and I am in pain daily, some days are worse than others.
I can not sit for too long (this post will likely take me well over an hour despite spending most of yesterday preparing this post), I can not stand still for too long; I have to stand and move after sitting for a short while, I also have to sit if standing or walking for a while. I can not get out of a bath without assistance and with assistance it is still difficult, thank goodness for showers.
I am married to Gillian (Gill), we only got married on 1st March 2017 after a long (over 14 years) engagement.
She often tells me off for doing things that cause me additional pain or that I will pay the price for afterwards but I always say "no pain, no gain". I won't allow my disabilty to control my life although I do know my limitations but to achieve anything I do push those limitations.

My hobbies & interests
Tropical fish keeping
Photography
Genealogy

Tropical fish
I only started keeping tropical fish back in July 2013. My first tropical fish tank was a Fluval Roma 240.
As with all my interests and hobbies I spend a lot of time reading and researching. I have probably spent close to 10,000 hours reading and researching about tropical fish.
I have datasheets which list over 1700 fish species with information about pH, water hardness, water temperature, size etc.. I have also datasheets of fish species found in countries (especially south American countries). I have also broken those datasheets down to create new datasheets of fish species found in certain rivers within the countries.

My fish keeping history
I bought my first fish tank around 1990/91, it was a coldwater tank with a few fancy goldfish type species (shubunkin etc..)
My first tropical tank, a Fluval Roma 240 was only purchased in July 2013.
My second tropical tank, a smaller 125L was purchased in October 2014.
Both tanks took up 6'6" of wall space with a total volume of about 365L, so I said to myself that it would be good to combine both tanks and to have a single tank which takes up the same wall space but a little deeper. So in November 2015 I started planning (on paper) an upgrade; a single tank which could of been 5, 6, 7 or even 8 foot (at a push).
Eventually after several months of consideration I settled on a 6 foot (600L) tank. The hardest bit was to persuade the OH, she eventually came round to my idea and soon became as excited as I was, well almost.

(this post will likely take me well over an hour despite spending most of yesterday preparing this post)
Well it has taken 2 hours already and I haven't started my actual log yet.

[Stephen]

Stephen's 550L tank log
The tank is an Aqua One Aquience 1800R like in the image below.
Aquarium = 180w x 60d x 66h cm 600L 550L (advertised as being 600L but actually only 550L)



The theme for this aquarium will be "Bolivia" and based mainly on the Rio Mamoré but also on the Rio Guaporé (known as the Rio Iténez in Bolivia).
I had already re-homed fish that did not fit in with my new theme.
Gill (my OH) and I had visited several LFS, sometimes travelling over 65 miles to one to look at fish, check availability, weigh up prices etc.. but mainly to see fish in the flesh as opposed to a picture on the internet. I created a list of suitable fish and knew where some of those fish were available and at what cost.
We saw some gorgeous Cupid cichlids at Lechlade, Gloucestershire (65 miles away) on the Monday and returned there on the Friday and bought them.

Job schedule: starting Sunday 4th September 2016
Sunday - remove plants, decor and sand from 240L tank (temporary re-home fish) and clean tank.
Monday evening - temporary re-home fish to 100L plastic container with lid, air pump, heater etc..
Tuesday morning - say good-bye to Roma 240L tank.
Tuesday morning - move furniture (settee, table and chairs etc..) to allow easy access for new tank
Tuesday afternoon/Wednesday morning - say hello to new 6 foot (600L) tank
Wednesday - set up new tank; re-arrange media in new filters (2) and add established media, add décor, rocks, plants etc.. to new tank
Wednesday evening - re-home fish in their new home (hopefully)

Well that's the plan, sounds easy until you add the fact that I have a spinal disability and in constant pain, any lifting is difficult & painful, as is walking and other activities.
As the saying goes, "no pain, no gain".

The first part is clearing out the old tanks and making room for the new one.
Everything was at hand ready and hopefully fish will be in their new home within 24/36 hours.
The tank will only be at about 55% stocking level with the existing stock so room for lots more.

(Edited due to font errors)

[Stephen]

Sunday 04/09/2016
16.08pm - 240L tank emptied and cleaned, added new dechlorinated water just to put fish back in for 36 hours.
 
Monday 05/09/2016
OK the new tank is being delivered in the morning (Tuesday).
Just bought some shims to level it all out.
I have to move the Roma 240 now to make room and it's 9.00pm already.
10.00pm and still at it for at least another hour.
 
Tuesday 06/09/2016
7.37am - just need to move the old empty tank and furniture.
The new tank will be here in less than 3 hours.
I had less than 6 hours sleep.
8.35am
The space is vacant and ready.
I decided that I won't be starting my set up today, just the preparation and checking everything.
I'll start first thing tomorrow (Wednesday), after a good nights sleep.
I need more tea.
10.46am
Just had the phone call, they will be here in about 10 minutes with the new tank. 
Just an afterthought, I want to paint the back ....
11.11am
Cabinet is in, shims in place, nice and level (+/- 1mm).
Tank will arrive very shortly.
11.56am 
Tank is now in.
I'm going to take it easy today.
Take Gill out for lunch as she has been superb, I could not of done any of this without her.
In "real life" this tank and cabinet looks amazing much better than any photo floating on the internet. It’s the 6x2x2 Aqua One Aquience 1800R which comes with 2 x external filters and T5 lighting consisting of 4 x T5 24W + 4 x T5 39W tubes.
16.20pm
Just arrived back home after treating Gill to lunch, I even bought her some flowers which is probably the first time in 15 years (and last). 
I forgot the paint and rollers; no not for Gill, to paint the background black. Will pop out again a little later, Hobbycraft is only up the road.
17.52pm
Just ordered some plants on-line.
The tank theme is "Bolivia" for the fish but not necessarily for all the plants; which is why my tank will be a theme as opposed to a biotope. My tank fish species are themed on Bolivia whilst the majority of plants also originate from south America, not all the plants do.
20.37pm
Too dark to paint the tank now so will start in the morning.
This is the outside of the tank (back) so should not interfere too much with my setting up.
 
Wednesday 07/09/2016
Today I was going to paint the background.
Bought the paint and long roller and spare heads.
I forgot to get a tray and Gill's at work with the car, and I'm normally organised.
10.47am
No panic, I just found a new large tray, that will do.
I wish I put an old shirt on though.
This tank is difficult to move due to the size and weight.
The back of the tank is less than 2 inches from the wall and obviously not enough elbow room for me to paint. I'll get there ... eventually.
18.48pm
Tank is now 90% painted, just need to finish it off.
Actual set up will start in the morning, plants arrive tomorrow too.
19.31pm
99% there just the touch ups now.
23.23pm
Background painting done.
A lot of painting and very little space (relieved).
 
Thursday 08/09/2016
7.29am - had less than 6 hours sleep.
I have also ruined a good pair of trousers and a top (with paint).
8.22am
Almost time to start setting up.
A quick wipe of the inside of the tank with a damp cloth first and another cup of tea.
9.05am
I wish I had longer arms.
The drop inside the new tank is about 65cm whilst the Roma is about 55cm; that 10cm makes a big difference. I also have to stand on a chair just to reach inside, (planting will be fun later).
11.15am
I went to Morrisons for breakfast this morning just to get me started and in the mood.
On my return I added the plant substrate to the tank, a fairly even layer across the tank leaving about a 1.5 inch gap at the front, back and sides.
The next job was to wash 60kg+ of my chosen sand, Unipac Samoa fine sand (5 x 12.5kg bags).
I had the buckets ready and half-filled one bucket and added water to give it a good rinse.
The water was clear; that was a welcome bonus as I could now just pour it straight in to the tank.
It is far easier to initially scape dry sand than wet sand.
Once I had the levels about right visibly I then wanted to double check. So I added a little water to the tank.
Water (in the tank) will always be level so as I added waterI could then see levels of sand that were a little higher or lower, I could then move sand from high areas to low areas.
I could of easiIly used another one or two bags of sand.
 
I then began to slowly fill the tank with water using a hose pipe.
The idea was to partially fill the tank to about 6 inches ready to add some décor and planting.
 
Meanwhile I started to get the external filters ready.
I had already make drawings a few weeks ago on how I wanted to set the media up in my new filters. The established biohome mini ultra media was still in my Eheim filter so it was a case of transferring it to the new filter.
 
Setting the first external filter up was pretty straight forward, all I needed to do was to set up the spray bar and outlet, attach hoses and the Hydor external heater.
The electric lead from the filter reached my wall mounted extension sockets but not the Hydor lead.
So I had to get the drill out and re-position one of my wall mounted extension sockets.
This was quickly followed by getting the vacuum cleaner out.
I then cut one hose too short, so I put a joint in. I have 5 meters of new hose that I bought a month or so ago, where did I put it?
The first filter is ready and sitting in the left hand side cupboard under the tank.
 
Now for the second filter which will sit in the right hand side cupboard under the tank.
Now I can not access the right hand cupboard due to the door being too close to a storage heater.  Oops! 
So temporarily I am running with one external filter.
That storage heater will be gone in a few months and replaced with "proper" central heating, so the second filter will have to be positioned in the next cupboard.
 
I added my existing lava rocks, existing plants and 2 of the new plants.
The other new plants are sat in water.
I have one 300W external heater so added 2 internal 300W heaters to the tank to get the temperature up as quickly as possible.
I continued to fill the tank with water whilst moving the internal heaters up as the water level got higher.
 
Friday 09/09/2016 
01.15am
All done (well almost), fish are in their new home etc.. I think they love it.
11.08am
I must get the second filter installed and the other plants planted.
The storage heater will come off but has some heavy, dense thermal bricks inside and my back won't cope. I will probably move it slightly, remove the door, and then put the heater back.
I'm not achieving anything today, I’m admiring my new tank and gorgeous fish.
I must get the other filter set up.
I do intend to change the rocks around and add more rocks in a couple of weeks.
I am also after a big piece of bogwood.
 
Meanwhile I have the second filter working but from the front, I will hopefully re-house it in the cupboard over the weekend when the door is off.
I just wish I positioned the cabinet 2 inches more to the left and an inch further from the wall.
It would not be so rewarding if things were too simple.
 
Saturday 10/09/2016
I managed to get the right hand door off by removing the storage heater and moving it over 1 cm.
The problem now is I can not get the screws back in to secure the storage heater, I got the one screw in but there's not enough room for me to get the other one in, it's too close to the tank.
It should not fall unless someone leans on it heavily.
Now that the door is off I will relocate the second filter to the cupboard.
I better start relocating that filter.

[Stephen]

Sunday 11/09/2016
Good news - I found my spare filter tubing.
More good news - the Roma 240 will be gone first thing tomorrow, a guy will be collecting at 9.00am, just before we head off to Cornwall. 
I told him not to arrive after 9.40am as no one will be here.
 
Filter is now in doorless cupboard, spray bar etc.. re-arranged and external heater attached.
The niggling bits are now sorted.
So what have I got or used?
1 x 6x2x2 (600L) Aqua One Aquience 1800R tank
2 x Aqua One Aquis 1250 II filters (1400L/h)
Background painted black
2 x Hydor 300W external (in-line) heaters
2 x 5L bags JBL Flora Plus plant substrate
5 x 12.5kg bags Unipac Samoa fine sand (I will likely add another 1 or 2 bags)
 
Existing rocks which will be ugraded or added to.
Existing plants and new plants planted.
Existing fish (Bolivia theme) 5 x Cupid Cichlids (will add another), 15 x Black Phantom Tetra, 11 x White Tip Bentosi Tetra, 12 x Sterbai Cory
I am currently only about 50% stocked so stock will be added to over the next few weeks/months.
 
Monday 12/09/2016
9.00am
The Fluval Roma 240 was collected as promised, so I had a little extra cash in my pocket.
Bags are packed and we are ready for our trip to Cornwall and will leave shortly.
 
September 2016
Friday 16/09/2016
We are back from Cornwall.
I have some re-scaping to do, more rocks/wood to buy, more plants to buy and obviously more fish to buy.
Besides the few hiccups on the way I am very happy with my bigger tank as it gives more scope and hopefully less maintenance.
 
Monday 19/09/2016
We had a trip out today looking for fish and maybe some wood.
Well I did not buy any fish but I did find a nice chunk of bogwood which cost me a bit.
All in all it was quite an expensive day as I also bought Gill a new engagement ring.
We have been engaged for just over 14 years (yes, fourteen years) and the other ring was a bit tight on Gill's finger. So I bought her a .25 carat (certified) solitaire ring to replace the other one.
She only wanted a cheap one but I saw a better one which was a bit more expensive   (Gill's happy).
 
Tuesday 20/09/2016
We had another trip out today to Stratford-upon-Avon.
We visited Sweet Knowles at Stratford but came away with nothing.
We then visited MA at Stratford and bought 6 x Smudge Spot Cory (Corydoras similis), they were not cheap but less than at another MA store.
 
Thursday 22/09/2016
I will attempt to put the big piece of bogwood in this afternoon as I have an extra bag of sand to add which arrived this morning.
The bogwood fitted through the 25 inch gap as sweet as a nut. It is in place and the rocks have been re-positioned. I removed and re-planted some plants but must make another order up.
 
I have had the new tank for 16 days which includes the 5 days we had in Cornwall, seems longer somehow.
I think I have achieved a lot in such a short time, a few hiccups on the way but that's all behind me now.
The fish are looking good and the tank hopefully will look even better in a few weeks when the plants get established.
 
Monday 26/09/2016
I'm still well under-stocked so room for a big shoal of something.
Gill loves the Glass Bloodfin Tetra (Prionobrama filigera) which do exist in Bolivia but I have found no record of them in the themed rivers but I will continue to research them.
Next on my list is 2 x red-breast acara which only grow to about 3 inches which will be the last of the cichlids stocked.
Well I have just found a document which states that Glass Bloodfin Tetra (Prionobrama filigera) were collected from the Rio Mamoré. Gill is happy as she really likes these (so do I)
I bought 15 x Glass Bloodfin Tetra (Prionobrama filigera).
 
October 2016
Thursday 06/10/2016
Today I am going to re-position my extension sockets (again), a little more to the left and about an inch higher.
Friday 07/10/2016
I bought 2 x Red Breast Acara (Laetacara dorsigera) today and increased the Glass Bloodfin Tetra to 21x.
Friday 14/10/2016
I am now using my Eheim Pro 3 600 as well as the Aqua One, the other Aqua One external filter will now be a spare.
I replaced both the filter seals and the pre-filter sponge on the Eheim.
I also replaced the Eheim MechPRO (plastic rings) for Eheim Mech (small ceramic rings) as the plastic rings float which can be annoying when doing filter maintenance.
Added two in-line Eheim taps which will be useful in an emergency as I can shut off the water and easily change filters over.
Then cleaned up the (now spare) Aqua One external filter.
All in all quite a busy day
Thursday 27/10/2016
Just done another big water change, probably about 60% (300L+).
I have also just planted some new plants from Aquarium Gardens.
 
November 2016
Tuesday 08/11/2016
Just added 12x little otos.
 
January 2017
I had a tank water over heating issue which took several days to diagnose the issue.
My original Hydor external heater had failed. It was approx 2 years old so I replaced it.
 
March 2017
Gill & I got married on St Davids day (1st March) after a very long (over 14 years) engagement.
We had a few days at Portmeirion staying at Castell Deudraeth for our honeymoon.
 
April 2017
I visited another LFS last looking for some additional Red Breast Acara (Laetacara dorsigera) to add to the two I already have; despite being smallish (under 3 inches), I just love these guys. 
Well the stockist had some very small Red Breast Acara which I was not interested in as they would look lost in my tank.
Then looking at all the other tanks I spotted two adult size Red Breast Acara, I asked the assistant to confirm what they were and he was not sure, yet I was 99% certain that they were indeed Red Breast Acara and bought them at the same price as the tiny ones, I was correct and now have four of the lovely fish.
I have decided that the Black Phantom Tetra (Hyphessobrycon megalopterus) will have to go.
They do not work against my black background. Although there are 18 Black Phantom Tetra in my tank, you would never know it unless you get up close.
 
May 2017
I just bought a brand new Eheim Pro 3 1200XL (2080) should be here Friday (12/05/2017).
I will run this with my Eheim Pro 3 600 (2075) and keep both Aqua One Aquis filters as spares.
There is nothing wrong with the Aqua One external filters, I just wanted extra filtration.  
I have one spray bar on the Eheim 2075 but will have double the length spray bar on the Eheim 2080.
 
The new Eheim Pro 3 1200XL (2080) arrived on Friday. (This filter does not come with media).
I added 3 x Eheim 16mm taps with about 3 inches of hose ready for installation.
I like to be able to switch things off independently just in case and this filter comes with 2 x inlets and 1 x outlet, hence 3 taps.
I have ordered some extra 4L of Eheim Substrat Pro biological media that will arrive on Monday (15/05/2018) which will fill one media basket/tray. (This filter comes with 3 x big 4L media trays plus the big pre-filter).
I have also ordered an extra 2L of Eheim Mech that will also arrive on Monday; this will top up my existing Mech (bottom tray).
All the existing biological media from my existing filter will fill the middle tray.
 
The change over of filters was done on Monday.
I had a small problem priming the new filter then realised I had one of the inlet pipes and the oulet pipe the wrong way round. A quick swap over and it primed immediately (The Eheim taps that I fitted came in handy).
The Eheim 1200XL (2080) comes with two inlets and one outlet.
The flow rate with this new filter is superb.
What I do not like is the Eheim green pipes, green spray bar with Eheim printed in white and the grey strainers, they really do stand out in my tank, so I have ordered some black versions.
 
Monday (22/05/2017)
I have just bought 13 x Black Widow/Skirt Tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi) from my local MA store to replace some other tetra. My local MA store generally have good quality fish.
w/c 27/05/2017
We also had proper gas central heating fitted with a combi-boiler. Those night storage heaters have now gone and the right-hand door is now back on.
Water changing should now be much easier.

[Stephen]

July 2017
I changed the tank theme title to just the Rio Mamoré (Bolivia) and not include the Rio Iténez in Bolivia (aka Rio Guaporé in Brazil).
 
August 2017
Whilst relocating the wall mounted extension sockets and drilling holes for the holding screws I accidentally drilled through one of the cables leading to a wall socket. This has caused the electric to trip out.
Electricians were called and the fault diagnosed.
This means that I have to move the tank and stand.
The only way the tank can be moved is by completely emptying it.
The electricians are returning in a few days time.
 
Saturday 05/08/2017
Wood is out.
Plants removed, bagged & labelled.
All fish removed, counted and in temporary homes (2 x plastic boxes with lids + airstones)
Water level lowered to less than one inch.
The next job is to remove the sand and give it a good wash, hopefully without the plant substrate.
I am hoping to save about 50kg of sand, maybe a little more.
I have ordered approx. 38kg of new sand to top up and also ordered new Tropica plant growth substrate, both will be here Monday.
Tomorrow I will remove the filters and pipework and then attempt to move the tank and cabinet.
Putting it all back on Monday afternoon will hopefully be easier .
 
Monday 07/08/2017
All done.
The electricians helped to put the tank and cabinet back in place.
There was a fault in the twin sockets behind the tank, someone had drilled through the earth wire. (I wonder who caused that … oops!)
New plant substrate and clean sand all went in.
Decor and plants also have been repositioned (I lost a few leaves).
Filters all set up and connected.
Fish back in their rearranged and clean home and looking very happy and active.
I will be taking it easy tomorrow.
 
Friday 12/08/2017
Done some fish shopping today.
Came back with another 2 x Red Breast acara, 5 more Glass Bloodfin tetra and 40x Green Neon tetra.
 
September 2017
30/09/2017
Disaster! I have lost all my Cupid cichlids.
Gill (the wife) was up at just before 5.00am as she was starting work at 6.00am (Saturday).
At 5.30am she woke me up to say some of the fish were dead but she wasn't sure how many.
I went down stairs half asleep, put the tank lights on and ...all 6 x Cupid Cichlids were dead, 2 x Black Widow tetra were dead, several Glass Fin tetra were dead and 2 x Amano shrimp were also dead (I only had 2 x shrimp)..
We were both devastated as the tank and fish species had settled and were nicely balanced and peaceful.
All that time, effort, research, travelling to collect fish and money involved to get it right had gone.
The whole theme was built around the Sterbai corydoras and Cupid cichlids.
I spent many, many hours researching the Rio Mamoré and Río Iténez and I do mean many hours.
I read articles, expedition articles so that my fish species existed in the rivers and eventually tweaked the stocking towards just the Rio Mamoré in Bolivia. 
The cause was temporary nitrite spike.
This was so devastating that we decided to totally change the tank theme and start again with new fish species just to get our mojo back.
 
October 2017
Changing the theme to a Rio Meta (Columbia) theme.
Tuesday 10/10/2017
All fish bagged up and taken to LFS and new fish for the new theme collected.
The new fish collected were 2 x Satanoperca leucosticta, 15 x Chilodus punctatus and 24 x Hemigrammus bleheri.
Monday 16/10/2017
Made a 110 mile round trip to collect 8 x Corydoras metae and another 12 x Hemigrammus bleheri.
 
November 2017
Tuesday 07/11/2017
Made a 170 mile round trip to collect 6x Yellow acara (Aequidens metae).
Friday 10/11/2017
The Yellow acara (Aequidens metae) have only been in the tank for 3 days and I think they are greedy and I'll tell you why .....
I had 36 x Rummy-nose tetra on Tuesday and it looks like I now have only 15 x and 2 x headstanders have also gone missing.
I know the fish are not cheap; the rummies at £2.50 each and headstanders at £3.95 each.
Those meals for 3 days have cost me £60.40 in stock (21 x £2.50 + 2 x £3.95)
I need some larger tetra.
 
Sunday 12/11/2017
The Yellow acara are beautiful fish and will get more beautiful as they mature further but ..... after a discussion with my wife we are willing to sell them on if need be.
We are also willing to change the river/country theme if need be, this will be based around the 2 x large Satanoperca leucosticta which are gorgeous.
I have spent many hours over the past 2 days on the internet trying to find a solution and going through my different river system datasheets which I have quite a few.
If I do move on the Yellow acara (Aequidens metae) and change my theme then the corydoras will have to be moved on too.
Despite the devastation of losing my cupid cichlids less than 2 months ago and now the predation of my rummies plus the monetary cost, yet I am still trying to remain positive.
 
Friday 17/11/2017
I am very close to a decision on a new theme.
It will be either the Rio Nickerie or Rio Corantijn in Suriname or the Rio Demerara or Rio Essequibo in Guyana.
I am in the process of adding new information to my datasheets from reports documentation from the like of Rechter, Eigenmann, Boesman, Jegu, Keith, Schaefer, Provenzano, Lundberg, Meyers, Muller, Henle, Steindachner, Swainson, Gunther and others.
I am now leaning towards a theme based on the Rio Corantijn in Suriname, a final decision will be made over the weekend.
 
January 2018
Wednesday 03/01/2018
I have just added 8 x Keyhole cichlids (Cleithracara Maroni) which fit in with my new Rio Corantijn in Suriname theme.
 
I have not been active as of late due to poor health.
The doctor thought I had a stroke just before Christmas.
Luckily all tests including the CT scan of my head (brain) all came back normal, so everything is pointing to a mini stroke (aka TIA which is an abbreviation for ‘transient ischaemic attack’.).
I remain positive and have had extra blood tests which also came back normal bar one which says that I am pre-diabetic.
I am not over-weight but this is likely due to a lack of exercise etc.. due to my spinal disability.
I remain cheerful.
 
April 2018
After toying with a new theme and some different (different to me) fish species I have decided to change the theme yet again in an attempt to get my mojo and enthusiasm back. The past 6/7 months have been quite tough. Losing the cupid cichlids back in September 2017, then the yellow acara predating on the rummy-nose tetra. This was followed by myself having a mini stroke just before Christmas.
 
The new theme is based on the Rio Negro.
The Satanoperca leucosticte is staying as this is Gill’s favourite.
Just bought 7 x Corydoras rabauti, 6 x Skunk Cory (C020)  and 21x Rummy-nose tetra from my local MA.
 
Monday 23/04/2018
Gill & I took a trip to Maidenhead Aquatics at Lechlade (inside Wyevale Garden Centre), a nice 130 mile round trip.
There we saw some cichlids which were about 4 inch juveniles labelled at Satanoperca jurupari, which fit in with the new Rio Negro theme, I bought the 4 x Satanoperca jurupari.
 
Tuesday 24/04/2018
Visited my local MA again and bought 6 x Corydoras duplicareus and an additional 10 x Rummy-nose tetra to take the total up to 31 x Rummy-nose tetra.
 
May 2018
Thursday 03/05/2018
Nothing really to report.
The 4 x Satanoperca jurupari are hanging around with the much larger Satanoperca leucosticte; they must feel more secure with the big one. They will be just as big over time.
The 31 x Hemigrammus bleheri are doing what they do best, shoaling together. There is no predator this time so I still have 31.
The corydoras are quite shy and skittish but hopefully that will change as they grow and mature over time.
 
My fish stock as of May 2018 /color]
1 x Satanoperca leucosticta, 4 x Satanoperca jurupari, 31 x Hemigrammus bleheri, 7 x Corydoras rabauti, 6 x Skunk Cory (C020), 6 x Corydoras duplicareus, 9 x Oto (Otocinclus sp.)
I'm still only about 80% stocked with the additional rummy-nose and corydoras and still at over 200% filtration, so plenty of filtration.
 

[Stephen]

June 2018
Monday 04/06/2018
Just added 19 x Cardinal tetra to the tank.
 
Thursday 28/06/2018
I have added 4 x Regani Dwarf Pike Cichlid (Crenicichla regani) 2M+2F, added another 3 x Corydoras duplicareus to give me 9 in total and added 7 x Flagtail Cory (Corydoras robineae). This is my first ever fish by post (courier) bought from Aqualife Leyland.
I will keep an eye on the Crenicichla regani and see if they prey upon the cardinal tetra, the rummy-nose tetra are probably too big now to be seen as food.
 
July 2018
Monday 02/07/2018
Well the larger male(s) Crenicichla regani are predating on the cardinal tetra, I'm down to just 9 from 18. 
I not worried as I anticipated the cardinals may get predated on, it's a natural process. The rummy-nose tetra are much bigger so I'm sure they're be fine. If I lose all the cardinals then I'll get some bleeding-heart tetra to replace them.
 
August 2018
All the Cardinal tetra were predated on as were most of the Rummy-nose tetra.
 
Friday 03/08/2018
I had my second “fish by post” from Aqualife Leyland today including 10 x Bleeding Heart Tetra (Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma), another 5 x Flagtail Cory (Corydoras robineae) and another 3 x Corydoras duplicareus.
I have removed the 4 x (2 pair) Regani Dwarf Pike Cichlid (Crenicichla regani) as Gill does not like them being predators (all the cardinals and 27/31 of the rummy-nose have been predated upon. I thought the rummy-nose may of been slightly too big but no.
I will find a new home for them shortly.
 
Saturday 04/08/2018
I have re-homed the Regani Dwarf Pike Cichlids, Gill’s happy.
I have also ordered some additional Bleeding heart tetra and some additional Skunk corydoras (different supplier) this will be my third “fish by post” order.
 
Saturday 11/08/2018
The fish arrived.
 
Monday 13/08/2018
Just ordered 3 x Laetacara Curviceps (Dwarf Flag Cichlid or Smiling cichlid) from an eBay supplier.
He only had 2 x Laetacara Curviceps so they will arrive later in the week.
I love these little Laetacara cichlids, I previously has the Red breast acara and these are similar and exist in the Rio Negro.
 
Friday 17/08/2018
The 2 x Laetacara Curviceps arrived safely.
 
October 2018
Nothing much happening.
The Bleeding heart tetras (hyphessobrycon erythrostigma) are growing, the males are getting very big indeed. They look as if they are in the mating mood but I have not seen any eggs scattering (yet).
The corydoras (see signature) are also growing.
The corydoras robineae are more on show as of late but one has lost it's tail but acting normal.
I have no idea why just one has lost it's tail.
The corydoras duplicareus are always on display, all nine lined up at the front of the tank.
The corydoras rabauti are normally on display but the Skunk cory are a little more elusive.
The 5 big cichlids (1 x Satanoperca leucosticta, 4 x Satanoperca jurupari) are all doing well and growing.
The 2 x Laetacara curviceps which I bought back in August are growing, they are about 2 inches now, it looks like one may be male and the other is definitely female although it can be hard to tell the sexes when they are young. I could do with a few more of these.
 
Sunday 14/10/2018
Just ordered a few more Laetacara curviceps from the same supplier as before.
 
Wednesday 17/10/2018
The additional Laetacara curviceps arrived safely.
 
November 2018
My current stocking:-
1 x Satanoperca leucosticta, 4 x Satanoperca jurupari, 5 x Laetacara curviceps, 17 x Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma, 11 x Corydoras robineae, 9 x Corydoras duplicareus, 8 x Skunk Cory (C020), 7 x Corydoras rabauti, 9 x Oto (Otocinclus sp.)
 
Here's a video
https://youtu.be/L348EsY2b5w
 
That’s my tank log up-to-date.
Stephen

[Stephen]

Here's a pic of the large cichlids taken back in May 2018




(Edited due to image missing.)

[wingnut55]

Looks like any replies other than Stephens have disappeared, any reason ?

[fr499y]

he deleted the post and created a new one.

[wingnut55]

he deleted the post and created a new one.

That did cross my mind, thanks anyway.  

Ian.