Originally, in April 1999, the 180 gallon All-Glass tank had been setup to house a variety of Amazonian fish and plants. Careful research was done to approximate an Amazon stream environment in this paying attention to plant, fish, substrate and other decorative features.

However, due to months-long uncontrollable green hair algae growth, the plants, CO2 injection and extra lighting were replaced with silk plants and lower light levels.

A year later, new homes were found for the numerous small South American fish that we'd lovingly kept. In their stead, six long-lived, large-growing fish occupy now this huge aquatic environment. We look forward to years and years of enjoyment of four of tiger oscars, Astronotous Ocellatus, and a pair of common plecostomus, Hypostomus plecostomus.

• 180 gallon aquarium measuring 24" x 72" x 24" high, with dual crossbars and glass top
• three Tronic 200 watt heaters
• miscellaneous buckets, hoses, siphons, submersible pumps, towels, etc.

• two AquaClear 500 Power Filters were chosen because of their simple maintenance requirements - the lid from the media chamber is simply lifted off, the foams are cleaned in outgoing change water and everything is replaced while the filter continues to run. There is no possibility of water overflow or of the lid not being properly secured using the AC line of power filters. However, without modification of the filter's output, hundreds of tiny bubbles once interfered with the tank directly below each output. Homemade Plexiglas and suction cup deflectors placed directly under AC 500 outputs have eliminated the bubble problem. The deflectors divert the water directly over the surface. This diverter setup provides enough surface movement to fully oxygenate the water yet give the fish the entire tank in which to swim
• AquaClear Mini foams, which act as pre-filters, also cover each filter intake tube

• 20 lbs. of commercially available mopani driftwood
• various sizes of smooth river rock collected from a local gravel pit
• three sizes and varieties of silk plants to provide a pleasing visual display for us fishkeepers as well as to provide an interesting environment for the fish
• 1" depth of peas-sized light-coloured gravel (dark gravel would have been better, but we already had the light stuff on hand)
• dark blue wallpaper on exterior back of the tank is used as background

• daily lighting period is four hours each morning and three hours each afternoon. A split lighting period restricts algae growth, but allows us enough fish-gazing time
• one pair of double 30 watt fixtures for a total of 120 watts or  .66 watts per gallon
• listed in order of preference, the following indicates which tubes may currently be in use:

• 40 gallon aquarium, AquaClear Mini filter and 150 watt heater were used to quarantine new fish. Since the 180 is now fully stocked with four oscars and two common plecos, the quarantine tank is currently in storage
   

• 40 gallon aquarium, AquaClear 150 filter without media and 150 watt heater used to bring change water up to the main tank's temperature
• approximately three gallons of the 40 is RO water to make up for evaporation

• observe fish while feeding twice daily
• rinse foams on AC 500 intakes in outgoing change water
• maintain water temperature at 74° to 78°
• make sure power filters, lights and heaters are working
   

• 20% water change twice weekly to keep water quality exceptionally high with nitrate target levels at 15 ppm or lower
• rinse filter filter media in outgoing change water and replace any foam that has deteriorated
• vacuum substrate
• clean glass inside and out
   

• dismantle AquaClear filters and thoroughly clean all parts

• 1 small jar of babyfood peas
• 1 small package of thawed frozen brine shrimp
• 1 small package of thawed frozen blood worms
• 1 small package of thawed frozen krill
• 1 small package of thawed frozen silversides
• 2 hard-boiled egg yolks
• 40 ml container of Sera Fishtamins
• 3 envelopes unflavoured gelatin (7 grams in each envelope)
   

• Place all ingredients, except for Fishtamins, in a food processor (or a blender as I do) and mix until all is a smooth consistency.
• Put into a large bowl and lightly cover with a piece of plastic wrap. Heat in microwave for 2 to 4 minutes, removing to stir at least three times.
• Remove from microwave when contents are liquid and have just become hot but not bubbling.
• Add Sera Fishtamins and stir thoroughly.
• Smooth onto a cookie sheet lined with plastic wrap so it's about 1/8 thick. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour, then cut into 3/4" squares (or the amount for a one-meal serving for the number of fish you keep).
• Store squares tightly wrapped in plastic wrap in an airtight plastic container in the freezer.
   

• This homemade food is served twice daily.
• Remove one square from freezer and let sit at room temperature about 1 to 2 minutes. While still slightly frozen, cut into smaller pieces.
• Fully thaw before feeding.
   

The above recipe takes a lot of work to prepare but the resulting food lasts a very long time. Make sure storage containers seal very well to keep the unused portions as fresh as possible.

If the few or small fish are being kept and fed, half the above recipe can be made at a time. Alternatively, the full recipe may be shared with a friend.

Bon apetit!