My-Aquatic World

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Low temperature tank

Recently really too busy to take care of the tank, until everywhere seeing the black brush algae, since yesterday I had some times to clean up the drift wood & did some trimming works too. But recently at my place has cooler weather, so the water of the tank get very low temperature at 23~24 degree Celsius, and first time I see my tank so cold. When early in the morning at 23dC, until all lights on at noon only 25dC, the best temperature for plants to grow and the shrimps also very active.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Apple snail & shell detoriation

Snail spawns on the a leaf

Baby snail's size about 2mm

Teenager snail size about 6mm

Turning to adult, size is bigger approx. 1cm

Snails & shrimp was playing together.

This is serious! Shell detoriation of an adult snail.

The most important thing to remember is that the rigidity of the shell is provided by a strong, calcified inside, with a protective protein layer at the outside. It's the latter that prevents the chemical detoriation of the calcium at the inside. Once the protective outer layer is damaged, the calcium layer is exposed to the water. This shouldn't be a big problem, as long as the water is rich in calcium and is not acid, but once the pH of the water drops and the water becomes acid (pH below 7), the calcium starts to dissolve. As long as this process advances at a slow speed, the snails is often able to enforce the calcium layer, although only at the inside. The outside of the shell is dead material, and cannot be repaired by the snail itself, so once damaged, it will stay that way. The oldest parts of the shell (the shell top) and those places that are often hot when a snail fall on the bottom are also the places that are most vulnerable as the protective outer layer is often damaged at those parts. Problems arise once the shell is detoriated that much that holes are formed, exposing the soft tissues below. In case of large holes, the snail can get problems with keeping the mantle cavity open, with lung collapse and other problems as result. Nevertheless, smaller holes an pose a problem as well, especially in a crowded tank, as other snails and fish won't hesitate to eat the exposed tissues. Luckily, snails do have some kind of repair system: they simply calcify the exposed tissues to protect them.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Return with a new design!!!

Lately very busy until not enough time to take care the tank, it was like a jungle, but after changed of water, cleanned the canister filter, and did some rescape works, now looks better.

The plant above is ELATINE TRIANDRA, it is a fast growing plant, but after few triming works, it's melting. Fertilizer & lighting all good, still have no ideas why & how now.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Fianlly! new generation of apple snail

After the last "Woo~hoo" of the snails, now can see some youngs crawling in the tank. Hopefully it grows in a healthy manner and seeing more and more young generation. It is very cute with a tiny round and transparent shell, and very hard working eating those algae day & night. It's size getting bigger just in a week and can't really imagine how fast it grows. Anyway, what can we do is waiting them to grow.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

ADA International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest (IAPLC) 2008 winners' photo

Finally some of the ADA International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest (IAPLC) 2008 photo can be found online, here are the winners' photos. Ranking from #1~27, they have done an amazing job. Congrats to all of them!!