Sunday, 28 October 2012

New plants and my first fish auction experience



I went to my first EDAS Aquarium Society auction this weekend. I cannot believe the bargains that people get at the auctions. I knew I did not have any place for any new fish in my aquarium. I was just after some plants and I think I got some good deals.

I was surprised that there were so many people at the auction and also at the variety of fish, plants, and aquarium equipment that were up for sale. Most experienced people were there with their Styrofoam boxes waiting for the best deals and some really rare fish. I bet they had their aquariums set and ready for the new fish. I know I will have mine the next time I go for the auction.

I got three new varieties of plants today –
·         Riccia
·         Java Fern
·         Ozelot Sword

I changed the complete layout of the aquarium to make place for the new plants. I had to get rid of about half of the wisteria. It is still the most dominant plant in my aquarium though. I had a tough time tying the java fern down on the drift wood. I had a plastic tunnel which I thought looked totally out of place in a totally planted aquarium earlier. I covered it with the Riccia and I think it now looks better than before. I hope the Ozelot Sword will grow as a center piece of the aquarium.

Once I moved the plants around, there was plenty of open space across the entire length of the tank for the Congo’s to move and they really like it. Earlier they used to stay in one corner as the Wisteria had grown tall and blocked their path. It is so important to understand which fish like which area of the water column (bottom, middle or top) and provide space accordingly.

When I purchased the Riccia I was not sure what I was going to do with it. I didn’t even know it was a floating plant. I saw the green mass in a bag and thought it must be something like java moss which would provide the Platy fry some chance of survival. However it turned out to be a clump of tiny leaflets kind of things which were not connected. With the filter turned on it just separated and spread through the tank. Luckily I tried this with a small pinch so it was not a mess. I checked the internet and found some videos on how to hold it down on rocks, etc. That’s when I thought the plastic tunnel would be a good candidate since the plants gets all its nutrients from the water and do not have any root system at all.

I am excited with the way the tank is evolving and changing. I hope to put up some new photos of the aquarium soon.

Ref – Websites that I have information about the plants that I bought


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