Thursday, August 28, 2008

My community fish tank.

This fish tank was setup in march 2008, and it's size was specially design to keep the fish species which I fall in loved. Actually have no intention to keep these fishes, but was fascinate by the Black ghost knifefish. The black ghost was small in size from the LFS which I bought from and was about 5cm long, did not expected fast growth. Hence got to get a bigger tank, deep in height for the reason they might jump out of the tank. These fabulous creature looks alike those dolphin, so cute looking and a little aggressive towards small fishes, now grown to 16cm long.

Tank size: 60cm x 30cm x 54cm H..Black ghost knifefish.








Below are fishes found in the tank, 2 nos. Electric yellow cichlid scientific name Labidochromis caeruleus was very active and entertainment fish. It needs some rocks cave to allow establishment of territories, less aggressive than other fishes. 2 nos. dwarf Golden algae eater, 2 nos. Koi angel and 3 nos. Black ghost knifefish can get along in this community tank.

Electric yellow cichlid
. Golden algae eater ..... Black ghost.






This present community tank which I house with lesser fishes, because the black ghost are very aggressive at time. Some of my smaller fishes was attacked by them and I decided not to have too much difference species in this tank. For the Electric yellow cichlid, it can grow until 5" long and at present it's only 3" long. Where else the GAE will help to clean up the algae and left over food in the tank. Hope you like it as viewing this post and loved the hobby.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Canon Powershot A580.

Bought a new camera Canon powershot A580 from Challenger.



The Canon Powershot A580 is a new point-and-shoot digital camera offering an 8 megapixel sensor, 4x optical zoom lens (35-140mm), 2.5 inch LCD screen and an optical viewfinder. New features for 2008 include blur-reducing Motion Detection Technology, Face Detection White Balance, Face Select & Track for tracking moving subjects, and Auto Red-Eye Correction when taking a picture and wide selection of ISO sensitivities, white-balance control. Shooting in auto and manual mode, also with movie shooting.

The A580 has a impressive look for
a camera of its size and weight, not so much bulky as it is stocky and substantial, though still compact. It feels like a camera that won't fall apart with use. It's lightweight and reasonably small, though the body itself feels unduly thick and the grip along the right-front contrarily shallow. Batteries and the memory card are readily accessible and A/V connections are easy to find.



The LCD screen is clear and large, essentially as large as possible within the confines of the body, which contrasts heavily with the pointlessly tiny, optical viewfinder centered above it. We might not be in use and couldn't help but will much convenience to look at the LCD as focus.

The A580 fits the mold of a standard design: an invariable zoom control surrounds the front-right shutter release; on top the camera is a standard mode wheel; and along the right are various menu controls and a selector to choose between camera and playback mode. Said buttons on the back are a bit small but as long its quite handy. The bundle includes a USB cable, an A/V cable, 2 gb SD memory card, batteries and charger and the original software CD and card reader.


# Macro test (click on picture for large image)



The powershot A580's menu is intuitive and easily navigable, and all of the camera's settings are accessible within a few button-presses. It also comes with a few programs to facilitate uploading, editing, printing and emailing photos off of the camera's USB connection, and all work as they should via clean, easy to understand interfaces.
Camera features soon trying out more of its result.

Monday, August 18, 2008

My planted tanks collection.

Here are some of my tanks collection from the day that I started this hobby. After surfing several forums to learn the necessary details and maintaining the quality of aquascaping. Usually when we want to setup a tank, first of all try to read as much as we can from forum sticky on planted tank setup. It's fun when the plants thrive and lush grown, important of water parameter for the tank and whether to be low or high tech tank.


The grass plantation. 60 x 30 x 30 cm


Most of the time, keep track with the fertilization works. Do regular partial water change each week. Lighting are important to the plants as it needs photosynthesis for 6-8hrs. If algae strike is a problem to the tank,
a contributing factor is usually to much light. Then have to reduce the lighting period less than usual and will reduce the algae growth.
............................................ The lost jungle

Less Algae found in the tank.
Having live plants, that are consuming these plant nutrients, means less nutrients available for undesirable algae, which are also plants but uninvited. So there will be less algae growth in our aquarium, if it contains live plants and correct fertilizer use in the tank.

The highland trail. size 90 x 45 x 45 cm.


Less Maintenance for your tank.
Lower nitrates and less algae growth means less time is required to clean the tank. If you have so many plants that the nitrate levels are zero, that does not mean you do not have to do regular partial water changes any more, but you can do less, if you wish. We would recommend that you stay in the habit and continue to do partial water changes anyway.
When we feed our fishes, and they produce waste. The bacteria living on your biological filter take that fish waste and turn it into nitrite and other chemicals. Then another type of bacteria turn the nitrite into nitrate. You do regular partial water changes to remove the nitrate and other chemicals during each week.

My nano tank.

size 30 x 18 x 24 H cm.

Friday, August 1, 2008

DIY Co2 injection using yeast,

Start to DIY 3 litres bottle Co2 using yeasts and sugars.

Share with you the cheapest method of producing CO2, as I started off with my previous 2ft. planted tank that was 5 months ago. I found that the plants are thriving and lush growth. So I decided to use DIY method (yeast+sugar+water) for all my new setup tanks. It's quite easy to custom our needs in the mixture, some may used beer yeast and bicarbonate soda powder. All this can be found in super mart. May be this will help students save the pocket money who are in this hobby.

And today, I'm preparing for 3 l. diy Co2 injection for my new tank.

DIY material: 2 nos. 1.5 litres coke plastic container, 1 m. silicone air hose(air pump type), 1 m. black hp air hose, 1 no bubble counter, 2 nos check valve, 2 nos. control valve and 1 no. diffuser. Not to forget sugar and yeast.

Method of connection: 2 nos. 1.5 litres container > 2 control valve > 1 check valve>1 bubble counter >1 check valve > diffuser.

Usually start run with one bottle first and then a week later with the second bottle, so the 2 factories run different timing that the Co2 will consistently supply to the tank. When the first bottle weaken in 2 or 3 weeks time, then close the control valve and repeat again the same mixture as follow below.

I followed these method from website, and after fixing all items, and prepare for the mixture. First add 2 cups of sugar into each bottle and only use first bottle to fill up with lukewarm water until 3/4 full. Shake the water bottle until the sugar dissolves in the water. Then add 1 teaspoon of yeast into the dilute sugar liquid and tighten the cap. Make sure the control valve is fully open then shake the bottle gently in upright position so that the yeast and sugar will not flow into the tank. Within 2 hours or less you can see co2 bubbles into the tank. One week later, fill the 2nd bottles with lukewarm water using the same application as the first bottle with the yeast and fill up to 3/4 full container. Close tight the cap and open the control valve to let it link the 2 bottles. The Co2 injection with consistence supply to the tank and this mixture will last 4 weeks or more that depend on the bps count.

Control valve.

Finally everything fixed and prepare to add into my new setup tank.