It was started in 1971 and was moved three times. The longest it was in one place was 40 years. The last move was almost 3 years ago.
The glass was also changed three times as it got scratched from cleaning. It was started in a 40 gallon glass, then for 45 years it was in 100 gallon glass and now 125 gallons.
It uses 100% NSW and the oldest fish, a fireclown is about 35 or 40 years old. His mate is a couple of years younger and they spawn constantly.
There are about 25 fish. Watchman gobies are spawning as are 6 line wrasses, fireclowns and rainsford gobies.
It uses dolomite and a reverse Undergravel filter. The ATO, algae scrubber and skimmer are also DIY
Nothing was ever quarantined or medicated.
(Actually it's birthday is in March of this year in 2 weeks so I cheated a little)
@Paul B , when you refer to feeding correctly, what’s your method?Brandon I think the Reverse Undergravel filter has a lot to do with that. During a power outage, and there have been many, once for 5 days, the UG filter doesn't seem to have any negative effects. I run it very slow so the bacteria throughout it are not used to a lot of oxygen. Just a little.
I could and did also pour water into a funnel that feeds the UG filter every couple of hours to keep it oxygenated. I don't think I had to do that but it didn't hurt.
No one uses a reverse undergravel filter even though mine lasted so long with not even one problem. Many people ask me if I started a new tank if I would install a "better, more modern system".
Like really!!!! What system is better? Sand? I don't think so. Bare Bottom? Not likely. That would be the worst IMO as the bottom of the tank is all surface area and gravel just increases area for bacteria to live and bacteria runs our tanks not us or Supermodels.
I also think, and I know it is very controversial that the act of quarantining and keeping fish in a tank with no fresh live bacteria or pathogens is the reason most tanks crash and the reason there are no old quarantined tanks. I feel that method causes disease, not the other way around. Again, just my opinion.
I think the "secret" is to keep fish like they are kept in the sea, fully immune from everything and it is very easy, much easier than quarantining.
This week I bought two new fish and this year I bought a few more because some jumped out. No problems. I also think most people just don't know or don't want to feed correctly and I cringe when I see what people feed their fish, then they wonder why they are on the disease forum.
It was started in 1971 and was moved three times. The longest it was in one place was 40 years. The last move was almost 3 years ago.
The glass was also changed three times as it got scratched from cleaning. It was started in a 40 gallon glass, then for 45 years it was in 100 gallon glass and now 125 gallons.
It uses 100% NSW and the oldest fish, a fireclown is about 35 or 40 years old. His mate is a couple of years younger and they spawn constantly.
There are about 25 fish. Watchman gobies are spawning as are 6 line wrasses, fireclowns and rainsford gobies.
It uses dolomite and a reverse Undergravel filter. The ATO, algae scrubber and skimmer are also DIY
Nothing was ever quarantined or medicated.
(Actually it's birthday is in March of this year in 2 weeks so I cheated a little)
So did you rinse the sand in between moves or tank upgrades? I'm moving in a little over a month and a half and upgrading to a new 125 and debating keeping the old sand or not and if so whether I want to rinse it or not.
