Everything was good, except using drywall screws for anything structural is a no no. Drywall screw tensile strength is horrible as its not a structural screw. Use decking or construction screws and exterior grade (coated) especially if you are building for saltwater. Some drywall screws have a shear strength as low as 25#'s, where as construction screws can have a shear strength of up to 2000#'s. Now granted that's per screw, so if you put 100 drywall screws in that's 2500 lbs shear strength but compare that to a minimal construction grade of 250# per screw, that's 25000#'s. You are talking a few dollars overall for 100 times the protection. For fascia and decorative pieces drywall screws are fine, but for 2by construction, use the proper fasteners. Many people go overboard on larger size wood that's not needed and then skimp on the important items like fasteners. For example, A mass manufacturer uses 3/8" plank wood holding up the frame just using staples and it works just fine, but is it the safest? If you get it super wet or moisture warps it, your asking for problems. 2x4's are fine for up to 125 Gallon tanks when supported right even over spans of 6'. The biggest issue you will face is not will it hold the weight up, its will the weight cause it to shift left to right, or front to back. Generally, a single 2x4 can support several thousand pounds of compressive load in the direction of its length. You add torque to that with weight shift or not perpendicular cuts and then it falls back on the fasteners. If drywall screws were so good, we would use them in framing houses, as there is far less compressive weight per board in a house then in aquarium stands, its all about the shear weight rating. Price comparison 2.5" #8 Drywall screws are $5.77 for 1# (106 screws) or 5.4 cents each with a tensile strength of 58#s. Construction screws 2.5" #8 are $5.99 for a 1# (90 screws) or 6.6 cents per screw with a tensile strength of 455#'s. If I use 200 screws on the projects which I wouldn't for anything less than 200 gallon size you are talking a cost difference of $2.40 overall. $2.40 for 91000# tensile strength compared to 11000# capability.
My silver dollars are a little weird, but I have successfully had Peace Lilies grow out of their tank before. They left the roots alone. They are a bit of an exception though, because they also think Swords are gross and I can grow it in their tank as well.
Many rvc,s are bred on the shores of the lake i buy from 1 of these suppliers the young fish are bred from adults from the lake for every fish they sell they return 1 to the wild Stuart youtube channel African Cichlid Hub has videos of this
I have 2 of them. Been familiar with them for a long time I have 2 angels, 2 figure 8 puffers, 2 peacock eels, 2 rainbow and albino sharks, 2 betas, 3 upside cats, 2 clown plecos and one rare mega clown pleco, 4 shrimps, 10 snails, 7 live planets, and I have 150 gallon tank they are all small other than the angel fish who are about 5inchs. The balas are pretty small 3-4inches just got them a few months ago. My catfish are bigger than the balas rn. We will be upgrading 200 gallons here soon once the balas have grown another inch or two. It’s recommended like this PERIOD! I walked into petco and tested the fish guy in the back said I have a 29 gallon tank and need balas they said it’ll be perfect for that he straight up lied and said they don’t get bigger than 6” I asked for the manager and called the dude out for being a liar and told the manager that he needs to be retrained and to never be allowed back in the fish department or just fire his ass. But it’s petsmart they don’t care. Just sad. But a reality. You need at least 50 gallons for 2 and then in a few months you’ll be upgrading to 100 + gallons. But rule of thumb is 1inch per gallon so 50 gallons can have 20-30 fish but they must be small. Just remember that it’s a lot of work but so much fun!
@@BillDyrda-pf9zh things have gotten delayed. But pt. 4 would basically be just a rehash of my earlier videos titled "Make your DIY stands look amazing" and "Easily make beautiful doors for your aquarium stand". Check those out and you're golden. :)
Re: particle board. Always been somewhat leery of using it as you do. Any conceens that over time, inevitable drips, splashes and overall higher humidity in a fish room will eventually (very slowly) compromise it, beginning at the exposed edges and then inexorably begin creeping/seeping slowly inward?
@@andrewinniss5463 Hi. I've never had an issue. Occasional spills are not a concern with wood, even particle board. It's when the moisture is there for extended periods...then you have concerns. But if you keep a tidy fish room and manage humidity to normal home levels, no problem.
@@aarhud It's more difficult for sure, but I find the pros outweigh the cons. And I only do it for tanks that are max 18" wide and max 24" tall. That works for my height/arm reach.
Ice just started doing this with swamp cypress (Taxodium Distichum), another tree that grows well in standing water, though it's fresh water only. I plan on eventually growing it as a permanent "bonsai" within my planted aquarium ecosystem. I might need to try it with mangroves in a future tank 😊
My kid comeback home with 1 (live in canada quebec), it 100% look like a young baby same like this about 1 inch long ...Her friend parents gave it to her and write down it a tetra goldfish he was in jar with bread /flake murky water ..Im glad i found your channel because now i can try to find out/save that fish with proper care! I could not find until now what it was, it definitely not a widow tetra..And yes i did not left the fish in that jar it in a sterilite tub for now ,im also cycling my 30-gallon aquarium and will put lot of plants ect for that fish .Any suggestion for tank mate ect that can go with that fish would be great he/she is alone ,and i dont think i will be able to find that fish again .
I left mine for a month, and they're still fine, except the water evaporation and crazy outgrown plants. And obviously not often, but like twice a year.
Thinking about just building a box out of 4x4s, 3 12' lengths would add up to ~$45 plus a sheet of 3/4 plywood for under the tank and sump. Add in a 2x4 for a couple of stretchers if I'm feeling anxious.
Hi. I don't usually, unless I have very young fish and no one to feed while I'm away. Mostly, I just overfeed the fish for the week leading up to vacation, give a healthy water change before leaving, and just let them be.
I'm curious how you feed them while you are gone. We are leaving Saturday for a week and I've got fish feeders on my 3 tanks, and I'm planning to do water changes tomorrow. Kent
Hi. I usually don't feed while I'm gone, depending on the type/age of fish. I overfeed for the week leading up, then do a healthy water change right before leaving and let them be.
Sharp eyes! It's actually physical injury from breeding aggression. I've found this genus gets really feisty, and when their wounds heal over they look like this for a couple weeks then clear out. Been happening for years, though they never actually kill one another.
IMHO. i thought from what i saw they all looked pretty good. Yes i would love to see how you setup the room for vacation. I also wish you would of feed the fish with us. Was there a problem with a fish in samsoms tank i thought i saw some lose scales or maybe slime coat @ the 8:06 time. Thanks for sharing
Good eyes! One of the Ptychochromis was beat up. I've found that genus to show healing from physical injury in strange ways. After years of keeping them, they sometimes look terribly beat up, but always recover unaided.
It's always a pleasure watching your fish room and would be very happy to see a little bit behind the curtain for how you prepare your fish when you're getting ready to leave
I've got one of these and he really is awesome. I got Stevie almost a year ago and the employee at Petco told me he would do well with a bumblebee cichlid. I put them both in the tank while they were babies. So, Stevie bullied the bumblebee cichlid for 3 weeks and now Stevie lives alone.
I have 7 of them, its been 5 months keeping them but kinda slow to grow up 🫶 very unique looking tho. I cant wait to see them grow like this. How old is ur fish ?
You're correct. These are some of the slowest growing fish I've kept. I don't remember how old these specimens are...maybe about 3 years to full maturity.
Great video and I’m now looking to get some of these for my 75 with built in Wet/Dry filter….you mentioned a pair in a 75 and that seems like a very light fish load….what are thoughts on 5 total (1 male with 4 females) or if only a pair will be okay together what other fish do you recommend with them in this tank?
In a 75g I think 1 male and 3 females would work. I would personally be hesitant on 4 females. Also, Congo Tetras would be very cool tank mates. Best wishes!
