Waterbound Nowhere to Go
So many posts in the same month! A little update on the blackwater tank and other aquarium happenings. Firstly, yeesh. The plants have just taken off in Esme’s tank. The rotala? is now reaching the surface, the frogbit roots have extended, on average, about 1.5-2 inches. This is all since it was done on Thursday. I noticed the growth last night, but photographing this tank is anger-inducing. Speaking of… sorry about the glare. #@! Nevermind that browning on the sword. It’s been going on since we purchased it – you can see bits of it in the last post. I’m not concerned, since it was one of the sickly looking…
I Will Be Rocks, I Will Be Water
I cannot take pictures of this tank without a glare. That’s why every photo is of the back right section only. Anyway, the miniature blackwater tank has been made. Esmeralda seems to enjoy it. I don’t know about the snail. He was doing okay this morning, but finding him amongst the new gravel is impossibly difficult. I’m sure he’s fine. I don’t recall what everything is, but here’s what I can remember as far as what’s used for the aquascaping: Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum – You probably shouldn’t use this if you’re going for a blackwater tank as it states, “Will not discolor water and helps control organic discoloration…
There Ain’t No Air and There Ain’t No Light
I shared a video of an amazing blackwater tank with Brian. Here’s the video, in case you’d like to find yourself a new hobby. We have similar tastes in a lot of things, so it wasn’t a surprise that he also loved the blackwater tank. It’s not necessarily a replica of a natural betta environment, but the dark water and the submerged branches, leaves, and other debris create a much more realistic glimpse into the natural world than a tank full of shimmering plastic castles and pink gravel. The tanks seem more like cutouts of a pond, one that happens to have fish (or not), than something focused on a…
You Can Lay Down When the Day Is Done
This is Esmeralda. She is a half-moon betta female, or so said her dinky cup. She was adopted a little over a week ago. We picked her because she was an interesting blue-green color, which she is actually not, as you can see. Also, she was lively. I know the male bettas are much more impressive, but I’ve never been drawn to the animals who get the most attention, which is why I avoid kittens at the animal shelter and children everywhere. Right now she is in a five gallon tank with some of the fake plants that were readily available at our Petsmart. We will be ordering some softer…
The Story of the Beast with Those Four Dirty Paws
We often leave our back door open during warmer weather so the dogs can run in and out freely. This has resulted in mud, leaves, wasps, cats, goats, and chickens coming inside. I don’t mind. They’re fun memory-making moments. We close the door at night, of course, because we also have raccoons, skunks, coyotes, wolves, mountain lions, bears, and bobcats. One day last June there was a kerfuffle from cats on the back porch. This usually means Jack (Nickajack) is hanging out, and another male cat has come around. Since Muggabee has been gone for well over a year, Pickwick moved away with the previous owner of the neighboring ranch,…
