Hi David,a little trick I do is the 6 rocks( 4big &2 small)I have in my 210 6 ft tank is. Start with 4big rocks in the middle upright together or leaning against each other, two small rocks one in each side of tank.When I do weekly water change I change layout to one big and one small(together )each side and two big rocks in middle. Then next time I put 3big rocks on one end and 1big 2small together other end . So change combination until you have 2-4 different layouts you like and just rotate them. Will always feel like new tank . For me the fish are the stars of the show. Also I flip the rocks on different sides also and that way the sand keeps them clean so no need to remove them. I don’t have any aggression, good water quality and good food goes along way to keep the peace. Most territorial disputes will be over mating pits so consistently changing up layout can control that , and too much bright lights can create aggression with not enough food. Love the video mate, looking forward to seeing you layouts.👍
As a photographer, I believe you are creating a physical vignette you like similar to your light fall off. I like it! Draw it out and enjoy the process!
David, Great stuff I would say make one video but multiple topics. Wow someone took out your GT that is crazy. It was probably the JD that did it. My GT is not a push over. Love the video man such good quality. I like the new aquascape you have a good eye. That is cool that you can hand feed the eel. Wait till that Oscar gets bigger you can probably hand feed him as well.
Thank you, Jeremy! I ordered another one, so hopefully he makes it. So I can already feed Perry, the Oscar. He is super friendly and a quick feeder. He has his radar locked onto every morsel that enters the tank. I even have to trick him in order to feed Buck, true parrot, who's not as "with it" as Perry is.
@ nice I love Oscar’s. I can’t wait till mine gets bigger. He is only about 2 and a half inches. Isn’t crazy you can feed these fish by hand. You can’t do that with AF cichlids. I love the CA SA cichlids. Nothing can beat their personality.
@@jeremymoore450 Yeah and he will be much bigger SOON lol. They grow so fast, but you already know that. I actually can feed some of my Africans by hand. Zeke, my zebra obliquidens is one of them. I agree about CA and SA cichlids whole heartedly. I'm glad you gave me so much encouragement to get into them, Jeremy.
@@CichlidCharmer awe I am glad you took the leap and got them. I wish I could have a big tank like you got but I got kids and they take a lot of money to Raise. You may know that now not sure if you have kids or not.
Rest in peace Sparkel Joe, Oh Miss Eel Longoria you're looking so cool I'm excited that she has taken onto hand feedings very nice! I prefer your videos with one topic with a sprinkle of your spice added to them, my old lady brain has a hard time tracking what all you are giving us. I might not like the taller rocks in Alcatraz your fish are used to zooming around so the ones you put into it now look great to me. well, I don't see any tall green plants so no judgement here, lol, you know me... plants a lot of plants only to pull out brown rotten stubs, but I like plants can you tell. Any video you can put out for us is great in my opinion, do what you feel comfortable in handling that doesn't take up too much of your free time, like I always say have fun without it causing problems. Thanks for all of your hard work!
Thank you, Polly. I am very much appreciate your feedback. I've come to my senses about the big rocks. Still... Maybe a few magnetic ones on the back panel... Flirting with the idea anyway.
@@CichlidCharmer That would look really nice adding some dimensions, if you don't like how it looks how hard is it to take off. I change up my tanks all the time, I bore to easily with my decor lol.
Just want to say i appreciate your videos, because of you, i actually found my own zeke yesterday, the greatest fish that ever lived, hopefully my zebra will have as much personality as yours
The same thing happened in my african cichlids tank (Arkham), I went on vacation and cane back to 2 dead fish, my beautiful OB peacocks, Dhamer and Pablo. Pablo was "resting" by the side of one of the rocks in his lasts breaths and Dahmer was nowhere to be found, I looked around the tank to see if maybe he somehow jumped out, loomed again in the tank and tbere it was, a bare skeleton laying on the sand, I was shocked. I also had 2 eels. A tire track eel and a cat fish eel, tge tire track one day was gone and I actually saw the other one eating it. Anyways I love your tanks and I enjoy your videos so much.
The sordid things that happen in our tanks. Good thing humans don't usually act like fish. Can you imagine coming home after a small trip and you see one of your kids with the foot of one of your other kids hanging out of his mouth and a skeleton on the corner somewhere lol
That music at the very end of the video…that’s the song “SATO” uses as “on hold” music when we’re booking military travel. Still gives me nightmares of 4hr on hold wait times. Lol
Redecorating usually causes a flux of aggression. I usually redo my scape about once per month or every couple weeks because I use real rocks that have lots of holes and crevasses for fry but it ends up being a storage spot for diatom. So washing them regularly is just smart for me. And I would add more decor before adding fish to your tank, spreading it out was good but it needs a few unders/overs and even a flat spot just because. I’m gonna stop because I’m almost describing my tanks so it’s getting lost. But for sure I’m looking at 50 peacocks and victorians in my 125 and with out the rest caves and places to swim through it becomes cluttered in one spot. I mentioned prior about my jewels taking over a corner and just by adding my tinfoil barb I created the largest dither fish I’ve seen personally, but aside from their swimming they promote a sense of comfort by being swimming so much and by adding a few more caves my Bichir even decided to share with the jewels because of no competition. I really feel like it’s working even though I am going to still lower the number in the tank just because I have so many fry growing up super coloured up and lots of fin display, I’m truly going to try and start a sub species they look so good. I love how you are caring so much for your Eel, I have no experience with them but I can see that you are giving her luxury as she grows. I’m also sorry about your green terror, as it turns out as they grow they really aren’t terribly anything but shy and sweet, mostly. My mbuna prefer close quarters as to wide open spaces so smallish caves work well, I’m sorta surprised nothing ever gets up into your hollow rocks but at the same time dream of getting some of those knowing without the plating in my tanks it’s holding 200 lbs easy with out the added water on top pushing it down. Can’t wait to see the new fish and hope it all works out great! Stay happy and healthy my friend!
Recently discovered your channel and subbed - great info and production values. Question - apologies because you've probably answered this before but what aquarium brands do you use or would recommend (180+ gallons)? Thank you!
Hi Dave i really enjoy your videos thanks for been updating us every Saturday, i have a question, hope u can hepl me i asked this same question to Jackson Adams from Prime Time Aquatics and i never got an answer, here it goes , If beneficial bacteria is an aerobics organism so they need oxygen, how is possible that beneficial bacteria can endure inside a close bottle?? From all the brands that sell that
That is such a good question and one I have wondered myself. I do not know the answer to it, I'm afraid. You were right to ask Prime Time. Check their channel home page for an email address
@CichlidCharmer thanks Dave I will keep trying to asking to others channels, I appreciate that u respond the messages thanks and keep doing your videos that are very interesting
Mix up the videos-sometimes refresh, sometimes single topic. I like the new rocks in Alcatraz. Sorry to hear about your green terror, mine is also the last to eat and hides most of the time. Just curious, since Vieja are mostly herbivore, are you feeding it anything different? I guess you have the same situation with Icarus. How do you manage mixing herbivores with fish that eat more protein? Glad to see Eva is growing- She will be an amazing addition.
Thanks for the condolences. So I mix in some veggie pellets with their regular cichlid Northfin pellets. I also try to do a blanched veggie day once per week. Sometimes I just feed veggie pellets in the morning and regular at night.
Nice video… rare to see much footage of an eel, I’ve always loved fire eels… both formats work, but the multi-format provides more interest.. unless you really “diving” into a particular subject…
I think 3 large rocks, 2 on 1 side, then rock u have in middle, then 3rd big rock on opposite side, so it's not jus big, little, big, like steps across ur tank.
Hi David,a little trick I do is the 6 rocks( 4big &2 small)I have in my 210 6 ft tank is. Start with 4big rocks in the middle upright together or leaning against each other, two small rocks one in each side of tank.When I do weekly water change I change layout to one big and one small(together )each side and two big rocks in middle. Then next time I put 3big rocks on one end and 1big 2small together other end . So change combination until you have 2-4 different layouts you like and just rotate them. Will always feel like new tank . For me the fish are the stars of the show. Also I flip the rocks on different sides also and that way the sand keeps them clean so no need to remove them. I don’t have any aggression, good water quality and good food goes along way to keep the peace. Most territorial disputes will be over mating pits so consistently changing up layout can control that , and too much bright lights can create aggression with not enough food. Love the video mate, looking forward to seeing you layouts.👍
That's a great idea. I used to move things around often in my community tank. Thank you!
Which video format do you prefer -- single topic or multiple topic? Thanks for watching!
I like multiple Topics.
Multiple topics
Multiple topics
@@ismelsantoscruz2845 Thanks for the comment!
@@mishkamarchant8323 Thanks!
I enjoy all your videos, do what works for you!
Appreciate that! 👍
Looking pretty good, magnetic rocks would be interesting to try out. Cichlids are looking great 👍
Hey thanks -- good to see you here my friend.
Dam that True Parrot is gorgeous. Colors look like it could be a Peacock Cichlid.
Thank you. I love that guy
As a photographer, I believe you are creating a physical vignette you like similar to your light fall off. I like it! Draw it out and enjoy the process!
Thank you!
David,
Great stuff I would say make one video but multiple topics. Wow someone took out your GT that is crazy. It was probably the JD that did it. My GT is not a push over. Love the video man such good quality. I like the new aquascape you have a good eye. That is cool that you can hand feed the eel. Wait till that Oscar gets bigger you can probably hand feed him as well.
Thank you, Jeremy! I ordered another one, so hopefully he makes it. So I can already feed Perry, the Oscar. He is super friendly and a quick feeder. He has his radar locked onto every morsel that enters the tank. I even have to trick him in order to feed Buck, true parrot, who's not as "with it" as Perry is.
@ nice I love Oscar’s. I can’t wait till mine gets bigger. He is only about 2 and a half inches. Isn’t crazy you can feed these fish by hand. You can’t do that with AF cichlids. I love the CA SA cichlids. Nothing can beat their personality.
@@jeremymoore450 Yeah and he will be much bigger SOON lol. They grow so fast, but you already know that. I actually can feed some of my Africans by hand. Zeke, my zebra obliquidens is one of them. I agree about CA and SA cichlids whole heartedly. I'm glad you gave me so much encouragement to get into them, Jeremy.
@@CichlidCharmer awe I am glad you took the leap and got them. I wish I could have a big tank like you got but I got kids and they take a lot of money to Raise. You may know that now not sure if you have kids or not.
@@jeremymoore450 Oh I know -- four of 'em. All out of the house now, though, so that helps the fish fund lol.
Rest in peace Sparkel Joe, Oh Miss Eel Longoria you're looking so cool I'm excited that she has taken onto hand feedings very nice! I prefer your videos with one topic with a sprinkle of your spice added to them, my old lady brain has a hard time tracking what all you are giving us. I might not like the taller rocks in Alcatraz your fish are used to zooming around so the ones you put into it now look great to me. well, I don't see any tall green plants so no judgement here, lol, you know me... plants a lot of plants only to pull out brown rotten stubs, but I like plants can you tell. Any video you can put out for us is great in my opinion, do what you feel comfortable in handling that doesn't take up too much of your free time, like I always say have fun without it causing problems. Thanks for all of your hard work!
Thank you, Polly. I am very much appreciate your feedback. I've come to my senses about the big rocks. Still... Maybe a few magnetic ones on the back panel... Flirting with the idea anyway.
@@CichlidCharmer That would look really nice adding some dimensions, if you don't like how it looks how hard is it to take off. I change up my tanks all the time, I bore to easily with my decor lol.
@@pollylewis9611 Probably not the easiest since my aquarium sits very closely to the wall on the backside of it.
Just want to say i appreciate your videos, because of you, i actually found my own zeke yesterday, the greatest fish that ever lived, hopefully my zebra will have as much personality as yours
That's awesome! I hope your Zeke is amazing also. Such a great fish!!
Beautiful tire eel. Great video David.
Thanks 👍
The same thing happened in my african cichlids tank (Arkham), I went on vacation and cane back to 2 dead fish, my beautiful OB peacocks, Dhamer and Pablo. Pablo was "resting" by the side of one of the rocks in his lasts breaths and Dahmer was nowhere to be found, I looked around the tank to see if maybe he somehow jumped out, loomed again in the tank and tbere it was, a bare skeleton laying on the sand, I was shocked. I also had 2 eels. A tire track eel and a cat fish eel, tge tire track one day was gone and I actually saw the other one eating it. Anyways I love your tanks and I enjoy your videos so much.
The sordid things that happen in our tanks. Good thing humans don't usually act like fish. Can you imagine coming home after a small trip and you see one of your kids with the foot of one of your other kids hanging out of his mouth and a skeleton on the corner somewhere lol
And thank you so much for enjoying my videos!
That music at the very end of the video…that’s the song “SATO” uses as “on hold” music when we’re booking military travel. Still gives me nightmares of 4hr on hold wait times. Lol
I like the idea of magnetic rocks. I didn’t know there was such a thing.
Multi topic works for me.
Thank you for both opinions!
Redecorating usually causes a flux of aggression. I usually redo my scape about once per month or every couple weeks because I use real rocks that have lots of holes and crevasses for fry but it ends up being a storage spot for diatom. So washing them regularly is just smart for me. And I would add more decor before adding fish to your tank, spreading it out was good but it needs a few unders/overs and even a flat spot just because. I’m gonna stop because I’m almost describing my tanks so it’s getting lost. But for sure I’m looking at 50 peacocks and victorians in my 125 and with out the rest caves and places to swim through it becomes cluttered in one spot. I mentioned prior about my jewels taking over a corner and just by adding my tinfoil barb I created the largest dither fish I’ve seen personally, but aside from their swimming they promote a sense of comfort by being swimming so much and by adding a few more caves my Bichir even decided to share with the jewels because of no competition. I really feel like it’s working even though I am going to still lower the number in the tank just because I have so many fry growing up super coloured up and lots of fin display, I’m truly going to try and start a sub species they look so good. I love how you are caring so much for your Eel, I have no experience with them but I can see that you are giving her luxury as she grows. I’m also sorry about your green terror, as it turns out as they grow they really aren’t terribly anything but shy and sweet, mostly. My mbuna prefer close quarters as to wide open spaces so smallish caves work well, I’m sorta surprised nothing ever gets up into your hollow rocks but at the same time dream of getting some of those knowing without the plating in my tanks it’s holding 200 lbs easy with out the added water on top pushing it down. Can’t wait to see the new fish and hope it all works out great! Stay happy and healthy my friend!
Good information
Thank you
Where do you get the decor from.
A lot of it is from Aquadecor. Thanks for asking!
Wooow beatufuil peces y acuarios
Thank you!
What kind of camera do you use to shoot these videos?
Good question. I use my S24 phone for the fish and my Canon R6 II for me.
Beautiful Tanks
Thank you! 🥰
Recently discovered your channel and subbed - great info and production values.
Question - apologies because you've probably answered this before but what aquarium brands do you use or would recommend (180+ gallons)? Thank you!
Thank you! My acrylics are Tsunami from Fish Tanks Direct. San Quentin is from Custom Aquariums. I haven't had any issues with any of them yet.
@@CichlidCharmergreat, thank you! Appreciate you taking the time to respond.
@@matt82es Of course!
Hi Dave i really enjoy your videos thanks for been updating us every Saturday, i have a question, hope u can hepl me i asked this same question to Jackson Adams from Prime Time Aquatics and i never got an answer, here it goes ,
If beneficial bacteria is an aerobics organism so they need oxygen, how is possible that beneficial bacteria can endure inside a close bottle?? From all the brands that sell that
That is such a good question and one I have wondered myself. I do not know the answer to it, I'm afraid. You were right to ask Prime Time. Check their channel home page for an email address
@CichlidCharmer thanks Dave I will keep trying to asking to others channels, I appreciate that u respond the messages thanks and keep doing your videos that are very interesting
@@ismelsantoscruz2845 I try to respond to all comments, no problem. Wish I had the answer for you! Thank you!
Tire Track eel masters of jumping out of tank. Seal lid
Mix up the videos-sometimes refresh, sometimes single topic. I like the new rocks in Alcatraz. Sorry to hear about your green terror, mine is also the last to eat and hides most of the time. Just curious, since Vieja are mostly herbivore, are you feeding it anything different? I guess you have the same situation with Icarus. How do you manage mixing herbivores with fish that eat more protein? Glad to see Eva is growing- She will be an amazing addition.
Thanks for the condolences.
So I mix in some veggie pellets with their regular cichlid Northfin pellets. I also try to do a blanched veggie day once per week. Sometimes I just feed veggie pellets in the morning and regular at night.
RIP Sparkle Joe…guess someone didn’t subscribe…so someone died 😶
Oh got me there. I did this to myself! And to Sparkle Joe.
Nice video… rare to see much footage of an eel, I’ve always loved fire eels… both formats work, but the multi-format provides more interest.. unless you really “diving” into a particular subject…
Yeah it is pretty rare. There's a huge fire eel video on riffwaters channel
I’m selling the last of my rifties today, but seeing vids like this isn’t making it easy lol
Well thanks. Glad to make it hard on ya lol!
@@CichlidCharmer lol!
I think 3 large rocks, 2 on 1 side, then rock u have in middle, then 3rd big rock on opposite side, so it's not jus big, little, big, like steps across ur tank.
Thank you!
I got the same eel , how do you know it’s a she and I never see mine . Just a tail every now and then
I just guessed lol. I have no idea if she really is
It seems you'll love snakeheads, if only its legal in your place 😅
They are so beautiful they look fake lol. I don't think they're legal though