Aquaculturist

A Realised Dream

2009-11-25T21:55:00.004+08:00

Pai seh the ending sucks....was out of idea. lol.

Anyway, there's a lag between the music & pictures.

I'll upload onto Photobucket for better quality soon.

Irasshaimase!

2009-10-31T21:30:00.008+08:00

Started work already!! Thats why I haven't been updating regularly. Sry!

Btw I'm working at Daiso.

And I'm not telling you guys which branch! xDD Haha.

Anyway, 1st two days at Daiso was ....

3rd day onwards was fun already! LOL!

The staff there are all really nice ppl & also mostly foreigners.

Here are some of the Really Good Questions asked by customers!

-This 1 how much ar?

-How come all the things here no price tag?

-Where is the Exit?

-1 packet how much ar?

-Where is the Cashier?

LOL!!

Some ppl also very rich...

There was 1 auntie go buy almost a basket full of Bamboo Charcoal.

Until the display section almost empty.

Woah! Then I must go replenish lor. Give me more work only! lol.

The worst part was customers take the product alrdy then walk here walk there.....half way dunwan alrdy....then anyhow put =.=

I hate that ahhh! Only waste our time to put it back at the correct place... T.T

Haha. At least I didn't did much of the food section. It was hell for Wayne & Syaz. Haha...especially the Peanuts!! xDDD

Shikkari!

Genki!

Akaruku!

Keizoku!

Day 1 to Day 204

2009-10-21T21:50:00.005+08:00

Its been so long since I've setup this tank & its still going strong!

Here's the pics over the months:

Day 1: Simple setup that suffered from ammonia poisoning. LOL.

Upgraded to OHF.

Added livestock & hardscape.

And finally this. Day 204.

Changed filter again & also added 2 internal filters;
Corner Box Filter & Sponge Filter

When I grow up...

2009-10-20T22:34:00.001+08:00

I wan a car like THIS!

Up Close & Personal with the Dragons @ Imperial Arowana

2009-10-19T20:36:00.006+08:00

Imperial Arowana Farm presents "Up Close & Personal with the Dragons."

Once a lifetime experience !!

Members of Arowana Fanatics Club gets to participate as crew of Arowana Harvesting Team.

Harvesting!!

Open your mouth...

...& all the babies comes out!

Carefully counting the baby Aros...

"Wiggle, Wiggle"

Ahhhhh......

Vincent & his harvest. Altogether we harvested 150++ juvenile arowanas from 3 brooders.

Wahh...wanted to catch this fellow...but...

...had to release him cos I wasn't

wearing gloves. :(

Great food after a quick shower!

Drooling....

This is just the Highlights.

For pictures of "Flying Dragons" & more, check out to my album on Facebook or visit the Discussion thread at: http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=395433

More details & pictures from other members from the above link.

the Glass Box is back in operation!

2009-10-12T17:05:00.009+08:00

Whew! N lvls are over already!!! haha.

Gonna update on my hamsters. Also added 2 new sections on my blog.

1st is the 987 Top 20 Charts.

2nd is New This Week.

Both sections will be updated weekly so u guys wont have to pester me for the titles of new songs! lol.

My hamster's Escape Theme Park! lol!

I was feeding him a piece of grape & he just turned upside down to eat... so lazy sia!

Took away my hand to let him get back on his feet but...he just continued eating lazily....lol

They love Cabbage!

Eating Cauliflower.

Who's there?

LOL...go hide inside & eat. haha.

Cabbage buffet!

Share!

More updates Later!

NO PICS!!!

2009-08-21T22:08:00.002+08:00

I cant post pics! The button "disappeared"!!

Spent abt 5 hrs today rescaping my tank. It has a new concept now.
Also changed filter from Eheim to Fluval. I've heard many gd reviews abt it & decided to try it out. Eheim ecco has been decommissioned, and replaced by Fluval 304.

I've also delayed my plans for the 3ft Discus Planted. All other plans have also been posponed to after my N lvls.

AND...

The weekend is finally here!!

Not Good!

2009-07-22T17:27:00.003+08:00

Didnt slp at all last nite as I had a chill. My temp hasnt dropped since last nite, was hoovering ard 38.0-38.9. Been lying on bed for the whole of today. Except for now. My headache got worse, I cant even balance & walk properly. Also vomited once. :(

53% H1N1

2009-07-21T18:51:00.003+08:00

Today went to sch as normal, execpt for a headache. Then took 1st temp reading, it was 36.5. So I wasnt worried. Felt much better after Chinese & went for recess. I was eating half way when the headache came back. Took 2nd temp reading after recess & is was 38.9. Mr lim tot i was playing & tell me its nt funny. I was also shocked. Then took agn, 38.8. Sian, I have to wear mask all the way down. Many ppl looking at me sia. Damn ps. Even teachers also like stare stare. Haiz. Then Mr Yeo made me wait for 45 mins outside Spin rm. Damn long sia. I think he was taking revenge on me for going art rm. Haha. Abt 30mins ltr, Mr Lau came.

Mr lau: wads yr temp?
Me: 38.8
Mr Lau: huh?! you wait here i go call ambulance
Me: eh, eh cher. Serious ar?
Mr Lau: ya! Now Tan Tock Seng very famous
Me: huh.
Then he went in to take his Infra-red thermometer. Scanned me & temp was 37.6.
Mr Lau: Neh! where gt so high! This one is plus minus 2. so highest is 37.8.
Me: ok....
Mr lau: Your thermometer spoil already la. I see.
Me: ok
Mr lau: this one how old?
Me: Frm pri 4. Tat time SARS.
Mr Lau: Wah. come-on la. go get a new thermometer. this one so old already.
He went in agn & gave me water, ask me drink half.
Mr Lau: Nah! Drink half. If yr temp lower then u go back.
Me: ok....
Ard 15 mins he came back & took my temp. It rose to 38.0.
Then bla bla bla. Mr yeo called my mom & I waited agn. Sian.

Ltr my mom picked me up & we went straight to limbang doc.
The doc told me I gt 53% chance that I have H1N1. Then gave me the longest mc i ever had. Sian la. Stay at hme so boring.

Going Green - Plants!

2009-06-16T10:14:00.019+08:00

Went to C328 that time & bought quite a few items. Scroll down to find out more!

Drained some water to allow for displacement.

Couldn't resist this beautiful piece of Driftwood with Java Fern

growing healthily on it. Bought it in the end.

Also got 3 pots of Vallisneria Americana.

Rinsing with water.

Ha! I've finally got an External Canister Filter!!! Woo hoo!
Got it from my favourite shop in Clementi for $ 138.
It also comes with a 2 year warranty. Nice!

Sweet. It comes included with filter media.

2 litres of Eheim Substrat pro Bio-media.

Dismantled the unit to check out the Filter Baskets.

I've altered the manufacturer's

media configuration to allow for more biological activity.

Manufacturer's configuration (from bottom to top):

1st layer - Eheim Mech Ceramic Rings

2nd layer - Eheim Coarse Foam

3rd layer - Eheim Substrat pro

My personal configuration (from bottom to top):

1st layer - Eheim Coarse Foam
2nd & 3rd layer - Eheim Substrat pro

Placed the Canister Filter on top of my DIY shelf.

Connected the pipings.

Here is the best part of the filter!!

Its the priming function providedby the 3-in-1 Multi-Function Handle.

Just pull down the handle...

...to this position and...

...water starts flowing into the pipes, filling up the canister.

Instant & easy priming!

Can see the bubbles of air escaping as the canister is being filled.

Once it has been fully primed, just push back the handle...

...to its original position & you're done!!

Switch on the power supply & the filter is in operation.

Check out the powerful jet of water shooting out of the outlet pipe.

Full tank shot. With plants, the light will now have to be

switched on for 12 hours per day. I've added a timer to operate the lights.

Photoperiod will be from 9am to 8pm.

A little tunnel created by the Driftwood.

Lush, green plants!! The aquarium really looks much better now.

Cycling trip

2009-05-12T16:43:00.000+08:00

Went on a cycling trip last sat with Syaz, Wayne, my dad & I.

We cycled to Lim chu kang for a farm visit.

Total distance: 31.46km

Average speed (total): 17.6km/h

Average speed(on-road): 26.2km/h

Average speed(off-road): 8.8km/h

Top speed: 43.3km/h

Here are the pics!!!

Kranji reservoir

M'sia.

All looking @ Ali in the background. Sad sia....weekends he still must work.

In deep & dangerous waters like this, u can find...

...the person that we are all pointing at...

Syahiran!!!

Mangrove swamps.

Wayne checking out the huge spider.

Here it is!!!

Guess who are we pointing @ now?

HAHA!!! Syah talking to Shanice.

Close-up of Syah.

Shoo!! I found Charmaine's drumstick!!

And I'm playing with it...

Actually, it tasted better that KFC.

Shanice & Ummi. :)

Gerald lee. :)

Max Koi Farm.

Guess who is that white furry dog?

Puay hong, I still recall the times when you are a puppy...

Puay hong loves a good pat on ths head.

I think Puay hong wants to cycle.

Wan, relax la. I'm sure she was just repeating what the last person who talked to her said.

Huge Kois.

Can you see the fish at the bottom of this pic? Damn big right!!!

Its the Arapaima Gigas, the largest freshwater fish in the world.

Check out this filter.

Super huge!!! Well, big fish need big filters.

After 30km++ of cycling, we finally had some food!!

The Daidi addicts.

Whenever we meet, we won't go home without a game of daidi.

Syazwan cheated. He placed a 4 of clubs on top of a 4 of spade.

& he's laughing cos wayne & I did not even notice it.

LOSER!!!

Credits to my dad for taking all the pics.

Fishes!!!

2009-05-06T13:55:00.000+08:00

Day 30. Hands & legs very itchy, cannot tahan already, so I got some fishes!!

Scroll down to read more!

Short Cut!!!

Instead of waiting months for the Nitrogen cycle to occur naturally, I bought a pack of starter bacteria. Its really convenient, coming in pills. But sadly, good things don't come cheap.

Placed it at the bottom of the drip tray.
The bacteria will immediately colonise the Fine Filter Pad.
In just 24hrs, I can add fishes already. Cool!

Just 'tapao' home.

Can roughly know the size of them by comparing with my hands.

Floating in tank. Leaving them like that for about 20mins to let temperatures equalise.

All so excited to escape from the bag.

Close-up.

20 mins later. Opened the bag & mixed the water from the bag & tank together.

Letting them get used to the water parameter of the new tank.

Added more water inside the bag.

Continued to add somemore water. Can see the bag going to sink already.

WOO HOO!!! 30 mins later, tilted the bag to let them out.

All of them so eager to get out.

Exploring their new home.

"Whats that grey thingy over me?" the Goldfish checking it out curiously.

"Stop following me!" Haha. I like this...all playing with the reflection.

"Hello!"

I love it when they come to the front of the

tank to greet me whenever I walk past. I'm so touched!

Update!

2009-04-28T16:30:00.000+08:00

Did a water test to find a shocking result!

Ammonia was at a whopping 6mg/litre!!

Had no chioce but to perform an immediate water change.

Eeyer..... so cloudy..... All because of ammonia..... sian....

Cloudy untill the filter looks blur blur like tat.... YUCK!

Using a siphon pump to drain the water.

Water flows down by gravity...no pumps needed!
Its based on the siphon principle.

My Betta watching whatever I'm doing. Can you find him?

I've also changed to an Overhead Filter (OHF).
I'm using it as a temporary filter as I still haven't prepared my Canister Filter.

Added a bucket to prevent the cascading water from stirring up the gravel.

Charmaine, no offence but I'm sorry for using a KFC bucket.

Filled up. Water still quite cloudy.

Inside the OHF box. I'm using a Fine Filter Pad (blue).

The drip tray creates a trickle effect that adds O2 to the water, creating

an O2 saturated environment for the Nitrosomonas bacteria to thrive.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BEFORE:

AFTER:

The cloudyness cleared up in just 2 hours!

This proves the effectiveness of OHF in clearing cloudy water. However, it loses to the Canister Filter when it comes to the surface area for bacteria cultivation. Thats why I need to setup the Canister Filter before the tank is fully stocked.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If I got time, I should be adding the 1st group of fishes this week.

I'll be choosing hardy species like: Guppies, Mollies, Platies, Zebra Dianos & SwordTails.

Check out for the next update!

Water Parameters

2009-04-23T17:12:00.001+08:00

Haven't been doing my weekly water tests. Been really busy with D&T.

Here are my Test Kits:
pH Test Kit

Ammonia/Ammonium Test Kit

Nitrite Test Kit

Nitrate Test Kit

All pics above are taken from http://www.fishandfins.co.uk/

Here is a graph showing the progress of the nitrogen cycle:

Graph from http://www.theaquariumwiki.com/

1) Nitrosomonas breaks down Ammonia to Nitrite

(NH4+) + 2H2O > (NO2-) + (8H+)

2) Nitrobacter breaks down Nitrite to Nitrate

(NO2-) + H2O > (NO3-) + (2H+)

As you can see, I'm currently in Day 23 where the ammonia spike has finally came down & I'm now encountering a nitrite spike. Most likely, the Nitrosomonas bacteria has already established themselves with the Nitrobacter bacteria currently undergoing estiblishment.

Following this graph, I should be able to add fishes by Day 35. YAY!!!

2ft Plant Nursery

2009-04-21T16:58:00.001+08:00

Started this setup on 1st april '09. I'm using it as a nursery to prepare my plants for the upcoming 3ft Discus Community tank. Pics:

Washing the gravel. It took quite a while to get clear water.

Here's the tank. Its 2ft(L) x 1ft(B) x 1.5ft(H). Its gonna take a while to fill 11kg of gravel.

Pouring...

Still pouring.....container by container....

Adding water slowly to prevent stirring up the gravel.

In all, it took me 9 half-filled buckets to fill the 80 Litre tank.

Filled to the brim!!! Added a Corner Box Filter, will upgrade to a Canister Filter once the water clears up.

Angle shot.

Here's the light. I'm using a 55watt PL Light from Aqua Zonic.

Its Day 21 of this setup today. Had cloudy water from Day 7 by bacteria bloom due to high ammonia levels. Its already clearing up.

Water Parameters as of Day 1:

pH : ~8.0

NH3/NH4+ : ~0mg/litre

NO2- : ~0mg/litre

NO3- : ~0mg/litre

Will be updating this setup frequently from Day 1 to the day I decommission it.

Cbox

2009-04-19T21:17:00.000+08:00

WOO HOO!!! Finally got a Cbox. Thks Charmaine.
Been really busy these few days. Will update on my 2ft setup if time allows.

Triband Lavender OHMPK

2009-04-10T20:55:00.000+08:00

Finally restarted betta keeping since i gave up due to studies a year ago. Got him from a fellow forumer on 7th march. Very active fella. Haha.

Sry for the blur pics, still a noobie @ photo taking.

Also introduced him to other forumers. Check it out : http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=363001&highlight

1st Post!

2009-04-09T21:28:00.000+08:00

Still checking out what Blogger has. Will update soon.