Apistogramma baenschi "Inka50"

[Cacatuoides]

i have not really test our water here but it seems to be low in hardness.....maybe other local experts know our water parameters here?
any comments on ADA's river sand series?

[mickthefish]

i could'nt give a comment on the ADA gear as i don't think our lfs stock it,
we just get gravels in different sizes river sand, and that horrible coloured gravel.
mick

[benetay]

Lovely fries! Congrats on the spawn!

Our water, hmm...TDS of 120, pH of 7.0-8.0

[mickthefish]

thanks benetay, does your ph alter if left standing in bucket? as ours has a temporary buffer and drops very quickly.
mick

[benetay]

i'm not too sure about the buffer in our water..i think most of us here don't bother to leave the bucket standing overnight. Most of the time when we add in the water into the tank, the peat and ada gravel will alter the pH so what we're trying very hard to achieve is low pH.

From what you said, you put silica gravel inside? is it the same type of silica gel for preservation of food? looks to me it's the same

[mickthefish]

ah i have a 40 gl butt for my water changes which are daily,
as to the gravel we only have one stockist next time i'm in i'll buy a bag and see what it says.
mick

[galactuz]

Kekeke couldn't afford ADA soil to layer the tanks. So only use them as a filter substrate in the box filter and occasionally collect acid rain for water change

[mickthefish]

hi lads
now i know why i don't breed apistos, the fry i got from the first spawn are taking ages to get size on them, ive still got the full spawn though, i'd say the largest is about 1cm it's got the full barred pattern and they eat like pigs.
mick

[benetay]

It ain't easy to keep waiting for them to grow! Thats what deterred many hobbyist to keep or breed other fishes.

[mickthefish]

you aint joking benetay,
the fish i like to breed can be moved on at 3-5 mths maximum, i wouldnt go into breeding apistos in all my tanks, i'll just keep 2or3 tanks for them.
mick