No more eggs. Sad.

All the orange eggs I saw on my cherry shrimp earlier this week, is now gone.

Yes, gone. No longer under the abdomen of the female cherry shrimp.

Found out that the shrimp knows whether to keep or release the unfertilized egg. Unknown how they know, i guess it is the best solution for the cherry shrimp community I have in my tank.

I guess I have to wait for another round and male cherry shrimp is mature to fertilize the eggs.

Let's just wait!

My cherry shrimp once thought died,now back to 4 and maybe more!

Eh.. what is the red and orange color thing there ?

Oh! It is my pregnant cherry shrimps!

Once thought 1 of the cherry shrimps died, but after few weeks, tonight I saw all 4 and one of them is pregnant!! yay! Happy la!!

My planted tank update 2

Little O2 pearl on the rock moss.

O2 Bubbling Java Fern.

Cherry shrimp near the surface on my drift wood.

My cute little Otocinclus.

More about Otocinclus:

The perfect little catfish for the community aquarium the oto will do a fine job at keeping the algae in check. Small to large aquariums will benefit from their service as this fish bothers none and is usually left alone.

My planted tank update

Dunno what these two plants are. Anyone can help?
There are roots coming out from the branches. When I bought it, it is stuffed in a ring holder, can see it on the right? Now the roots is growing down into the soil.

Identified: HOTTONIA PALUSTRIS
Hottonia palustris is a pinnate-leafed aquatic plant native to wetland areas throughout Europe, where it is threatened, endangered, or extinct in certain parts of its range. It is usually found growing totally submersed except for the long flower spikes each bearing a set of light purple flowers. It is often used as a medicinal herb. Although relatively uncommon in the aquarium trade, it is used extensively as a decorative plant in ponds.

2 of my cherry shrimps saying "hi" to each other.

One of it.

Current condition of my planted tank.

Benefits of DIY CO2

Yup. Finally my DIY CO2 is producing CO2 constantly throughout the day.

I start to see O2 bubbles produced on the plants. This is the scene I loved the most because it is just marvelous, how the plants can breath and photosynthesis. It is a beautiful scene of God's creation.

So what's the benefits?
1. Plants is able to photosynthesis better. (Without the CO2, I never see any O2 bubbles)
2. Plants is growing faster. Hopefully not inviting algae. =)
3. It is cheap to DIY CO2 because you don't need a specialized tank.
4. Lower the pH of the water, everything in the tanks seems livelier than before.
5. My fishes too. There were some mucus on the tetra's stomach and spread to few tetras. After the constant release of CO2 into the water, the condition has improved.
Slowly seeing mucus on the Tetra's stomach to diminish.
6. Using it with Flourish Excel is no harm, of coz you must follow the suitable dosage daily.

So, are you thinking to DIY your own CO2? Try today! Get your ingredients and tools ready!

DIY CO2 Part 2

CO2 in the making in the bottle. Finally got the mixture right. =)
With the same recipe, I will update again on the duration of CO2 it can produce. Watch this space!

Steady stream of CO2 bubbles forming on the CO2 diffuser.

Another view of the CO2 diffuser.

DIY CO2

The stuffs needed for the DIY CO2:

1. Used Water Bottle (preferred 1.5 ltr)
2. Glue gun
3. Instant Yeast
4. Sodium Bicarbonate (Soda)
5. Bubble counter
6. CO2 diffuser
7. Measuring Spoons
8. Small air valve
9. Air pipe , preferred transparent type
   
10. Measuring cup for baking (Not in picture)
    

Poke a hole through the bottle's cap using screw driver and inserted the air valve into it.

Bottom view of the cap.

CO2 diffuser with anti-backflow valve. *Anti backflow valve removed as it will hinder the low pressure CO2 gas from reaching the CO2 diffuser effectively.

Managed to DIY all these last night and test the recipe and i works. Took about 1 hr then I see the small bubble flowing in the bubble counter. Yay!

But it is not yet diffusing in the tank yet, as it takes another few hours to build up in the bubble counter bottle and pump into the CO2 diffuser. Shall see the result tonight.

Follow up on this development:
The 1st CO2 mixture was a failure as I used wrong quantity of sugar. It caused the reaction to be slow and short-lived.
Then I re-do the CO2 mixture with correct quantity, within 30 minutes, I see CO2 bubbles forming in the bubble counter.
And for the next half hour, I start to see CO2 released into the water through the CO2 diffuser.
Success on the 2nd try!

Another update on the CO2 brew: The recipe will last you 9 days of CO2 supply, after which you need to brew it again. Took me 5 mins to prepare it, getting pro! haha.

4 Red Cherry Shrimps Added!

Yes. Adding new species into the tank. Haha. Went to C328 and Polyart(Another aquarium shop near C328). Bought these cute little Red Cherry Shrimp from Polyart @ $0.80 each. Total of 4 shrimps, and at the point of posting this blog, one of them died. Haiz...hopefully is due to not in gd condition when purchased.

Red Cherry Shrimp.

Few of it's brothers or sisters,maybe. lol.

Another view of Red Cherry Shrimp.

1st time cooking Penang laksa.

First time cooking Penang laksa. Lotsa ingredients in it to cook in 1 pot. Looks OK. Taste yet to improve... haha. Dun worry, YA, it will be in time for a good taste on 27 Apr. Haha..

Neon Tetra

6 neon tetras in my tank. The Indian Almond Leaves at the background.

Indian Almond Leaves (Ketapang Leaves)

Photo taken from http://aqualandpetsplus.com

Indian almond leaves, huh? What Indian? Oh. it is a leaves that are commonly found in Southeast Asia country. So much so that it is trampled, trashed and unwanted.

Benefits of Indian Almond Leaves to aquarium:
"Like driftwoods and peat, they release heavy amounts of tannic acids. You may not like the looks of yellow water but your fish will naturally benefit from its use. The tannic acids will considerably lower the pH level depending on the hardness levels. Allow one large leaf of 8-10 inches per 10 gallons although I admittedly do not follow what is often recommended as I really like the idea of having a leaf litter in my aquaria no matter the size. Removal of tannic acids is done by either use of activated carbon or doing plenty of water changes."

But in the west, US or Europe, these kind of leaves are much sought after and sold in pack.

Next time, before you trample it, value it and take a good look at it, you are stepping on $$$. Lolx.

Photo taken from http://aqualandpetsplus.com

1 day after the Amazonia II soil in....

1 day after the soil.

Little otto, short fins. Maybe is the species's characteristics?

Neon Tetras!

Close up view.

All shots taken using Canon Ixus 860 IS camera in Aquarium mode and macro mode.

Recipe for making CO2 (Yet to try this)

Recipe from my cousin to make DIY CO2 gas:

1) 8 x 1/2 cup(60ml) tap water + 4 x 1/2 cup(60ml) hot water (ratio 2:1)
2) 5 x 1/2 cup(60ml) sugar
3) 1 x 1/2 tea Spoon(2.5ml) yeast
4) 3 x 1/2 tea Spoon(2.5ml) soda powder (Natrium bicarbonate)

Got Amazonia II soil in!

Went to C328 again last night and bought a 3 litre pack of Amazonia II soil. The substrate(soil) was put into my tank last night. Took abt 1hr to settle all the soil and re-planting.

The water was cloudy when I poured water into it. Took abt 1 night to settle down by filteration.

The water pH reduced from 7.5 to 6.5. Yay! This pH is important as it provide a suitable environment for fishes and plants to live in.
Oh ya, I did a test on my tap water, it is 7.5 pH. So kinda alkaline.

After which, this morning, i put in 6 tetra and 2 ottos. I hope they will be fine when I go home tonight.

Information about the substrate (soil) :

Amazonia II shares same characteristics with Amazonia for promoting the aquatic plant growth, but it emphasizes the water condition adjustment effect. Compared to Amazonia, Amazonia II tends to lower pH and KH, and it is recommended for the case where tap water is in alkaline.

Slightly abstract shots taken at Kent Ridge Park

Stairs.

Trunk.

3 nuts.

Thread.

About Taipei Neijiang Hotel

This hotel is located near XiMenDing MRT station in Taipei. Abt 5 mins walk from the mrt station.

It is a 7-Storey high hotel at Neijiang junction. I had stayed there for 3 times. hehe.. supporter rite ? haha...

Facilities is pretty basic, well, I don't need anything fancy cuss most of the time is out of the hotel anyway. Just need to bath and sleep. The room has TV, cupboard, small fridge, hot shower and hot water dispenser.

And the hotel only have double bed, so you gotta share with your roommate. The hotel do provides simple breakfast everyday, sandwich and boxed juice/tea.

Nearby hotel, my wife and I found a nice 煎包(fried bun) stall. NT30 per bun. Very nice! Go find it... you will pass by this store when you are walking to XiMenDing MRT from the hotel. Happy finding!

To go to this hotel from Chiang Kai Sek airport, walk out of the luggage collection area and turn left. Walk about 20m and you will see many bus counters there. Look for Feigo(飞狗）bus counter and tell the staff you want go to hotel neijiang, should cost about NT $160 per pax.

Once you got the ticket, just wait for the counter staff to inform you when to board.
Enjoy!

*How do you go back to Chiang Kai Sek airport from Neijiang Hotel ?
I recommend you to take a cab, cab ride should not cost more than NT 120 to get to 国光客运东站 (Guo Guang EAST Bus Terminal). Once you reach there, buy a ticket to the airport and board the bus to airport. Total journey should not exceed 45 minutes provided traffic is smooth.

To view the photo of this hotel, click www.neijiang-hotel.com.tw

Useful Aqua Plant Finder Link

Got this useful link from my cousin to search for Aqua Plant.

Click Here .

Driftwood in tank!

Went to C328 again today, trying to get Java Moss. Unfortunately, upon enquiry with the lady boss, she said, "Forgot to order Java Moss today..."

Upon hearing that, my dear lao por, suggested we go to the other aquarium shop nearby to try our luck. And woila! They have 2 packets of Java Moss, small packet $3 each. And so we bought and then visited the shop. They are selling lotsa fishes, many kinds.
We were so attracted by the different kind of fishes they sold, when the fishes is in school (group), really really alot, like 1 fish per inch that close.

Came home and finish off things needed to settle and started to plant. Took me abt 1 hour to complete the tying.


As you can see, drift wood is abit oversize. So the top is over the water surface.

Learnt that tying the plants using the nylon string is not easy, tend to slip off by itself. Gotta try other knots, maybe I'll look for pathfinder or Linus. haha...

I am still finding the touch of aqua planting, this is my first time doing it. Not sure whether the plant will survive anot. Dosed 1 cap of seachem flourish excel after planting and changing 40% of the water. Also abit of Beneficial Bacteria.