The Greater Akron Aquarium Society Tank Topics February/March 2010

Inside this issue:

President’s Message 3 Bud White Editor’s Message 3 Dave Williamson BAP/HAP 4 Wayne Toven Exchange 5 Wayne Toven Chromaphyosemion splendopleure ‘Tiko Green’ photo by Wayne Toven. Read all about how to raise this interesting of African killifish in Rich Serva’s article on page 7 Bowl Show 6 of this issue. While on the subject of killies, in case you haven’t heard the American Killi- Ken McGill fish Association’s 2010 National Convention will be in our own back yard (Cleveland) Swap Meet 7 this Memorial Day weekend. If you have any interest in this family of fish, you don’t want to miss this show! This is a big draw with people and fish coming from all over the world. If you would like more information check out the AKA website or ask local members Tiko Green 8 Rich Serva or Dave Williamson. Rich Serva DIY LED Lighting 9 2010 GAAS Board of Directors Joe Reich President...... Bud White...... (330) 848-3856/[email protected] Coming Events 10 Vice President...... Jeff Plazak...... (330) 854-5257/[email protected] Treasurer...... Rich Serva...... (330) 650-4613/[email protected] Meeting Notice 10 Secretary...... Ron Drungil ...... (330) 929-7889/[email protected] Editor...... Dave Williamson...... [email protected] Special Activities...... Ken McGill...... (419) 677-3405/[email protected] Important Dates BAP/HAP...... Wayne Toven...... (330) 256-7836/[email protected] Membership ...... Bob Miller ...... (330) 928-6028/[email protected] for 2010 Raffle...... Phil & Tiffany Hypes ...... (330) 327-6316/[email protected]

Librarian ...... Michael & Michael Berger ...... (330) 789-9834/[email protected] March 7 Historian ...... David Girard...... (330) 945-4606/[email protected] Spring auction FAAS Rep...... Bob Cisney...... (330) 569-3234 Refreshments...... Bill & Linda Koleszar...... (330) 626-5660 July 10 & 11 Publicity...... Amy Mullens...... [email protected] Program...... Dan McMonigle...... (440) 476-4663/[email protected] Ultra Aqua 2010 Web Master...... Ron Mullens ...... [email protected] 50/50...... Christina Biederman...... [email protected] November 7 Fall auction Check out our website: www.gaas-fish.net P ag e 2 Tank Topics

THE GREATER AKRON AQUARIUM SOCIETY

WHO ARE WE? We are a local group of aquatic enthusiasts. Formed in 1952, the Greater Akron Aquarium Society is a non- profit, non-commercial organization. Our membership ranges from the beginning hobbyist to the advanced aquarist with many years of experience. The goals of our club are to promote the care, study, breeding and exhibition of aquarium related aquatic life and to promote interest in the aquarium hobby. MEETINGS: Our meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at 8:00 p.m. at the Mogadore Community/Senior Center, 3857 Mogadore Road, Mogadore, Ohio. It is located East of Route 532 across from McDonald’s in the former post office building. Visitors are always welcome, it costs absolutely nothing to attend a meeting and look us over. MEMBERSHIP: The cost is only $7.50 for adults, $10 for a couple or a family (includes children under 10 years of age) and $5.00 for a junior membership (10 to 17 years) Membership provides an opportunity to socialize with other that share your interests, a subscription to our bi-monthly magazine, library usage and more. AGENDA: Our meeting agenda is simple and informal. The meeting will begin at 8:00 p.m. with a short business meeting. Immediately following is the program for the evening which usually lasts about 45 minutes. Our programs consist of a speaker, slide program, movie or perhaps a panel discussion always on a particular subject related to the hobby or various species of fish. Following the program is a short refreshment break. After which the winners of the Bowl Show are an- nounced, the Breeder’s Award Program fish are auctioned and tickets are drawn for the equipment and book raffles. THE BOWL SHOW: Each month members can bring in fish for specific classes to compete for first, second and third place awards. The charge for each entry is only $.25. Members also compete for annual awards by accumulating wins throughout the year. BREEDER’S AWARD and HORTICULTURE AWARD PROGRAMS: members can receive recognition for spawning species of fish or propagating aquatic plants. All that is required is to turn in a minimum of six fry from the spawn that are between 30 and 90 days old. Members earn certificates for each species and can work towards plaques in different categories. LIBRARY: At the library table are a number of books and other publications covering all areas of the aquarium hobby. Mem- bers may borrow the books for a month at a time. Also each month several books are raffled off. EQUIPMENT RAFFLE: The raffle table has such items as tanks, fish food and aquarium accessories that are donated by national manufacturers, area dealers or purchased by the Society. Tickets may be purchased by anyone attending the meeting. Save your losing tickets for the Christmas Party raffle. ANNUAL SHOW: The Ultra-Aqua show is held during the summer at the Tallmadge community Center. This has become one of the largest all-species tropical fish shows in North America. It is an international gathering of hobbyists to display their fish in class competition, talk fish and to learn about the hobby from each other. TANK TOPICS: is published on a bi-monthly basis for the members of the Greater Akron Aquarium Society. Articles and comments for this publication are welcome and encouraged. Such articles are to be submitted no later than the board meeting prior to publication. All articles may be reprinted as long as the author(s) and GAAS are given proper credit and two copies of the publication containing the reprint are sent to GAAS. Please send any correspondence regarding this publication to: Editor/Tank Topics, P.O. Box 494, Akron, OH 44309-0494 or email to [email protected]

The Greater Akron Aquarium Society Membership Form

Name ______Age ______

Address ______New Renewal City ______State ______Zip ______Electronic Mail

Phone ______email ______Adult (18 years and older 1 year $7.50

2 years $12.00 How did you find out about GAAS? ______Family (includes children under 10) 1 year $10.00

Memberships are due one year from the date of joining. Completed mem- 2 years $15.00 bership forms can be turned in at a meeting or mailed to the membership Junior (10-17 years) 1 year $5.00 chairman at this address: 2 years $7.00

GAAS Membership Chairman, P.O. Box 494, Akron, OH 44309-0494 Dues Collected ______Date Received ______the Tallmadge Community Cen- P ag e 3 ter, same place it has been for President’s Message several years now. Bring things to auction, bring your self to Welcome to the New Year folks! Adrian R. Tappin. Rich sent me help, it is your club also. link to a site that hosted the file Our first meeting of the year was for free download (this is a free Another item is the ULTRA a surprise, it was snowing bad legal download), after I AQUA SHOW coming up July and cold, with storm warnings downloaded it I took the time to 10 and 11, we need class spon- on TV. With such conditions look at it and was amazed at the sors and we need your help to See you at the meeting, some board members called, quality of the book, article and get them. The classes are still stating that nobody would be at pictures were just great. It is in $20.00 each and the major tro- the meeting. But seeing how pdf format and uses adobe phies are $35.00 each. Selling there was no way to let everyone reader to view it, we projected it these makes or breaks the show. know if we canceled the meet- on the screen and went over Without sponsors we have to ing, we held the meeting as some of the details, (of course take the money out of the treas- usual and had about 35 members with me narrating it had to be ury and that's not a good thing. show up! Dedication in our club good, keep quiet Dave) The So get out and help with this. is great, thanks for coming fel- members seemed to like the low members. The one problem book, so we are putting it on cd's I do want welcome the new we did have was the speaker did to pass out to members at the board members, Ron Drungil, not make it, but being the re- meeting, Mike and Michael Berger. sourceful group we are, we used WELCOME ABOARD FEL- the time to do a review of a very Need to remind everyone the LAS! This year’s board roster is Bud White nice book, Rainbow Fishes Their clubs SPRING AUCTION is full with all positions filled, and Care and Keeping in captivity by coming up. It will be March 7 at that's good thing for the club. Editor’s Message

since we have some new only to bring in some items to members. Our Spring Auction sell or sticking around to pick is our number one money up a few new things to work KEN’S FISH maker of the year. It’s what with, we’d really appreciate HOME OF QUALITY TROPICAL allows us to have a meeting seeing as many of our mem- FISH FOOD AND SUPPLIES

hall every month, pay for the bers as possible. Also feel free show site in July, and gener- to tell anyone you know who

ally keep us afloat. What may be interested to come makes it all happen is our along. That’s where most of membership (also known as our new members come from, Every year this time I get to suffer the Winter blahs. I’m you, in case you hadn’t someone who hears about our not completely sure that is a guessed). We need as many of show or auction and stops in KEN MENARD (508) 823-4043 proper term or an actual mal- us there as possible to make it to check it out. 32 4TH Ave. Taunton, MA 02780 ady but I’m going with it be- all happen. It’s not just the www.kensfish.com cause that’s how I feel at the major jobs like setting up the On to a totally unrelated topic, [email protected] moment. I’m tired of snow. tables and chairs or running an acquaintance of mine runs I’m tired of cold. I guess I’m the registration desk or a bird rescue service (wwwthe just tired of everything I don’t kitchen, it has a lot to do with birdnerdsrescue.com) and really want to deal with. There the little things like running since I know that many of us now that I’ve gotten that off the items to the buyers and “fish geeks” also have a love my chest, I guess we can get sweeping up the floor when of other living things I figured on to better things! it’s all over with. I realize that I’d throw this out there. Jen with the present economic has rescued a group of Zebra First up, I guess I should bring situation we’re dealing with finches (20 plus) and diamond up the Spring Auction. In just many people may have jobs doves (15 plus) that are all a few weeks (five as of the that include weekends or un- presently living at my house. Call 330-966-8265 time I’m writing this) will be fortunately may not even have If anyone is interested please our auction date March 7th. a job at all right now and that drop me a note and possibly Monday-Friday 11-8, For those of you who have all affects the turn out we get we can set up an adoption. Saturday 10-7, Sunday Noon-5 been through this with me a at our functions. But if you 6989 Whipple Ave. NW Tank Maintenance time or two, bear with me can spare some time, even if I’ll see you at the Meeting! CANTON, OHIO 44079 Available Page 4 Tank Topics

December 2009 Species Common name Class Points BAP/HAP BAP Phil & Tiffany Hypes Acanthocobitis zonalternans Indian lemon loach Sharks, loaches, eels 15 Report Poecilia reticulata All black guppy Livebearer 5 Procambarus sp. marmorkrebs Blue marble crayfish Aquatic 10 Wayne Toven January 2010 Species Common name Class Points Hope everyone had a safe and Happy New BAP Year!!! Here we are in the middle of winter Phil & Tiffany Hypes in January, and it actually looks and feels like Pelvicachromis pulcher Kribensis Cichlid s.s. 15 winter. Whatever happened to the global Cryptoheros sp. Honduran red points Cichlid s.s. 5 warming? My electric bills seem to reflect that there is no such thing. Since it is so cold Rich Serva outside everyone should be getting more Micropoecilia sp.2 Livebearer 5 maintenance done in the fish rooms, so the Aphyosemion splendopleure Tiko Green Killifish 10 fish should be happy, that means more Planorbis corneus Red ram’s horn snail Aquatic Animal 5 growth and more spawning (hopefully). The BAP/HAP year actually started in December, Wayne Toven when we had three spawns turned in at the Lamprologus hecqui Cichlid s.s. 15 monthly meeting/Christmas party. There sure Ilyodon lennoni Livebearer 10 was a lot of good food at that meeting, then Chapalichthys sp. Minzita Livebearer 10 we had the fish and plant giveaway, there Poecilia salvatoris Liberty molly Livebearer 5 was of lot of good stuff from which to choose. Back to business, one of the spawns Dave Williamson turned in was a first for the club, congratula- Danio kyathit Barbs, minnows, & rasboras 5 tions goes out to Phil & Tiffany Hypes for Varibilichromis moori Cichlid s.s. 15 the successful spawning and rearing of the fry of Indian lemon loaches. Now comes the HAP calendar year of 2010, in January we had our Nick Rezac first vegetative propagation submitted for the Echinodoras cordifolius Marble Queen Sword C- Vegetative 15 Horticultural Award Program. Then the spawns started flowing, a grand total of 2010 Spawn & Point Totals BAP Points HAP Points eleven were turned in, I think that is the most Phil & Tiffany Hypes 5 50 we have had in one month for a long long Wayne Toven 4 40 time. We are off to a great start in the new Rich Serva 3 20 calendar year, now we just need to keep that Dave Williamson 2 20 going. Don’t forget for every ten spawns Nick Rezac 1 15 turned in by a member in a BAP/HAP year a 16 ounce can of brine shrimp eggs will be awarded

North East Ohio Discus Featuring Stendker Discus

Bonnie & Mon-Sat 11-8 Sunday 11-6 Nate Larson Hours by Appointment Only 6629 Engle Rd. (330) 882-5158 Unit 108 [email protected] Middleburg Hts., OH (216) 433-3340 Tank Topics December 2009/January 2010 Page 5

Exchange If anyone is interested in reading one of the articles listed below let me know and I will get a copy of it Report to you, email or a hard copy at the meeting. Wayne Toven

Cambridge District Aquarium Society, Sarnia Aquarium Soc., Aqua Antics: Nov 09 Aquatic Views: Nov. 09 Melanotaenia boesmani, by Peter Melady Acclimating Wild Discus or Who’s Bright Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris), by Ron Idea was this? By Carl & Mari-Anne Urry McCleary Buffalo Head Cichlid (Steatocranus casarius), Sarnia Aquarium Soc., Aqua Antics: Dec 09 by Anthony McAslin The Lake Tebera Rainbowfish , by Peter Me- lady Greater Cincinnati Aquarium Society, Aponogeton madagascariensis – Sexual Repro- DAVE DANGEL Fincinnati: Jan/Feb 10 duction, by Lisa Boorman Oregon Trails Plaza Spawning Ophthalmotilapia boops 4046 Fishcreek Road (Nkondwe), by Todd Leising St. Catharines & Area Aquarium Society, Stow, OH 44224 Spawning Pterophyllum scalare – aka Angel- The Scat: Jan 10 (330) 686-2235 fish, by Steve Smith Girardinus falcatus – the Gold Belly Topmin- [email protected] Petjunction.net Albino Angelfish of Many Colors, by Steve now, by Dave Furness Smith Xiphophorus alvarezi – the Upland Sword, by Dave Furness Greater Pittsburgh Aquarium Society Inc., I, by Dave Furness Finformation: Dec 09 Lamprologus brevis, by Roberto Prati Youngstown Area Tropical Fish Society, THE FISH PLACE The Youngstown Aquarist: Nov/Dec 09 Hamilton & District Aquarium Soc.: Nov I by Brian LaNeve 141 Robinson St. 09 Neolamprologus brevis “Sunspot”, by Dave North Tonawanda, NY 14120 How to Grow Show Quality Fish, by Charles Ayres (716) 693-4411 Drew “Largest Selection of Fish and Discus Made Simple: Part 3, by Joe Bastian- Motor City Aquarium Society, Plants in Western New York” pillai Tropic Tank Talk: Nov 09 Gouramis the Bubblenest Builders, by Ken Acquiring Cryptocoryne, by Ted Held Store Hours: Kirkwood Feather – Fin Pearl Fish, by Leo S. Long Mon.-Fri. 12-9 Sat. 10-6 Sun. 11-5

Hamilton & District Aquarium Soc.: Dec 09 Pacific Coast Cichlid Association, Over 300 display tanks, Breeding Corydoras schultzei, by Charles Cichlidae Communique: Nov/Dec 09 Specializing in those “Hard to Drew More than Just a Hobby, by Richard Kong Find” species with the best prices on the East Coast Discus made Simple: Part 4, by Joe Bastian- Lamprologus minutus, by Rolf Mader pillai Veil Tail Cherry Barbs, by Charles Drew Michiana Aquarium Society, Michiana Tropical Times: Nov 09 Kitchener – Waterloo Aquarium Society, Girardinus metallicus – the Black Chinned Fins & Tales: Dec 09 Livebearer, by Ben Slocum PlantEd Tank: Wishing for a Red Christmas, Silver Angelfish – Pterophyllum scalare, by by Ed Koerner Ben Slocum Tank Cycling Tips: Good Bugs, by Terry Clements Michiana Aquarium Society, Michiana Tropical Times: Dec 09 Missouri Aquarium Society Inc., The Characodon lateralis – the Rainbow Darter: Nov/Dec 09 Characodon, by Donald Brandt Spawning Thorichthys ellioti, by Gary McIl- vaine Greater Detroit Aquarium Society, Benitochromis batesi”Pouma”, by Patrick Tropic Tank Talk: Dec 09 ALL ODDBALL AQUATICS A.Tosie Sr. Some Things About Carbon Dioxide and Plant SALES@ALLODDBALL AQUATICS.COM Organize Your Wire Clutter, by Andy Walker Nutrients, by Elmer Morehouse www.alloddballaquatics.com Michigan Rainbows, by Bob Muller Page 6 Tank Topics

Ken McGill How the Point System works: Bowl Show & 1st - 4 points 2nd - 2 points Special Activities 3rd - 1 point 1 point per entry, Let me start with a special thanks to Jeff Plazak for running the maximum 12 points per class bowl show for me. I come from quite a ways off and it looked like the odds of getting to the meeting without sliding into the ditch 2010 Bowl somewhere that night were pretty slim. Show Schedule Even with the bad weather, we're off to a good start! Three par- ticipants with 10 entries. Bill Schake is in the lead with double January: digits already in our annual points competition. Keep up the good Goldfish, Male Guppies, work guys. And the rest of you can play too! Since 1981 Minnows Danios & Rasboras

January Results: February: Male Guppy Goldfish Suckermouth Catfish, Swordtails, Characins 1st place - Bill Schake No entries 2nd place - Jeff Plazak March: 3rd place - Bill Schake Entrant Point Totals: Barbs, Mollies, Minnows Danios & Rasboras Bill Schake 13 745-3059 Corydoras Aspidoras & 1st place - Wayne Toven Jeff Plazak 4 Large Selection of: Brochis Wayne Toven 7 TROPICAL FISH BIRDS 2nd place - Bill Schake SMALL 3rd place - Wayne Toven April: REPTILES AMPHIBIANS Female Guppies, Platies, DOG & PET SUPPLIES Tues-Fri 12-7 Sat: 10-6 Aquatic Invertebrates 196 2nd St., NW Swap Meet Welcome to our Aquatic (Downtown Barberton) May: Goodeids, Rift Lake Classifieds - a place where you can list fish and aquatic Cichlids, Aquatic Plants items that you would like to sell or trade or are inter-

ested in buy or trading for. There are a few simple rules June: Native Fish, Rainbowfish, to prevent problems and abuses of the system: Male Bettas

1. You must be a members of GAAS to list either Haves July: or Wants. Synodontis Catfish, Killifish,

2. No retail or commercial sales establishments will be Angelfish & Discus permitted to list. 3. Only hobby related items will be listed. Owner - Cory Fry August: 4. Ads are limited to six items only and may only be run 3945 Highland Drive AO New World Cichlids, Amphibians, for three issues of Tank Topics. (You must give the Edi- Richmond, IN 47374 765-914-2174 / 765-488-1178 Fax Bog Plants tor notice before the publication deadline to have an ad [email protected] re-run!) September: Gouramis & Anabantoids, Sharks & Loaches,

HAVE: Sailfin Red Eye/Red W. E. T. FISH BAGS Photography Swordtails, Hifin Red Sword- tails (normal eyes), Red Eye/ 50 100 October: Red Swordtails (normal dor- Arts & Crafts, Marine Fish, sal), Black / Red Marble 3 1/2 x 12 $3.00 $5.00 All Other Old World Cichlids Swordtails, Plumetail Platies, two turtles pet center Hifin/Plumetail Platies, Wild 6x18 $4.50 $7.00 November: X. helleri, Lyretail Platies, highland square 8x20 $4.50 $8.00 All Other Livebearers, Albino Swordtails, X. monte- 760 w.market All Other Egglayers, zumae 10x24 $5.00 $9.00 akron, ohio 44303 All Other Catfish

See pictures of fish at 3 1/2- 1.5 mil All others - 2 mil mon-fri 10-7 www.platy-plus.com Wayne Toven Rick Graham (330) 296-6322 or sat. 10-6 sun 12-5 (330) 374-6765 [email protected] [email protected] Tank Topics December 2009/January 2010 Page 7

ditions but water from the Akron water An Easy Way to Breed the Tiko Killifish, department proved adequate for breeding conditions. Chromaphyosemion splendopleure By Rich Serva. photos by Wayne Toven Personal observations

Chromaphyosemion splendopleure proved to be an easy fish to maintain. I set up two pair up in a 15-gallon tank containing Java moss. They were less picky than most killifish and they ac- cepted baby brine, live black worms, frozen blood worms, frozen brine and flakes as food. These fish are fairly shy and spent most of their time hidden in the moss. As a result I ignored them other than at feedings.

After a few months I started noticing fry Fish of the Chromaphyosemion described by Brüning (in 1929), based in the tank. I figured “nice and easy” so inhabit small pools and freshwater on specimens from the Tiko area. In leave the fish alone. Soon those fry streams in the coastal lowlands of west- 1930 Meinken gave a more detailed de- starting growing up but no new fry were ern Africa from Togo, Benin, Nigeria, scription and deposited examples from spotted. In an effort to collect fry to turn Cameroon and Gabon. Chromaphyo- the Tiko area in the Berlin Museum. in for BAP the juveniles were removed semion was described by Radda (1971) Three different Chromaphyosemion spe- to a separate tank. I only found 5 fry so as a subgenus of Aphyosemion (Myers cies (C. splendopleure, C. volcanum, and the fish were left separated and I went 1924); however, more recent publica- C. poliaki) are known to be present in back to ignoring them. Before long I tions have elevated Chromaphyosemion the Tiko region which begs the question began to notice small fry again. I sus- to genus status. The various species in whether one of the other two species was pected that the larger fry were feeding on Chromaphyosemion can be easily distin- used in the original description. Chro- the tiniest fry since this can be a problem guished from all other Aphyosemion maphyosemion splendopleure belongs to with killifish. species by several characters. In Chro- the Splendopleure-group which consists maphyosemion there are two dark lateral of Chromaphyosemio splendopleuere , References: bands in both sexes. Fish or the Aphyo- cf. splendopleure, sp. aff. splendo- semion genus usually have one or no pleuere, poliaki and volcanum. Agnèse, J.-F., F. Zentz, O. Legros , D. dark lateral bands. In addition, males Sellos. Phylogenetic relationships and can change their coloration rapidly de- In splendopleure the unpaired fins are phylogeography of the Killifish species pending on stress or dominance position. mainly orange with yellow streamers of the subgenus Chromaphyosemion while the cf. splendopleure have mainly (Radda, 1971) in West Africa, inferred So many different Chromaphyosemion blue-green with yellow streamers. The from mitochondrial DNA sequences. species may be present in such a small body colors differ in respect to the dorsal Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution area of Africa because the large rivers scales. In the former they are copper-red 40, 332–346 (2006) could have been a barrier to species ex- to reddish metallic with red to orange pansion. Chromaphyosemion are never body color Genade, T.. Chromaphyosemion Confu- found in deep water environments (even sion. Southern African Killifish Society in the surface layer) or where a strong Chromaphyosemion splendopleure are Letters, Vol. 3, Number 2, 2003. current exists. known from Moliwe, Bamukong. Tiko, Yoke, Bombe and Kumba, which is an Sonnenberg, R. The distribution of Description of the species area from the foothills of Mount Camer- Chromaphyosemion Radda, 1971 oon to the region south of Lake Barombi (Teleostei: ) on the Chromaphyosemion splendopleure is a Mbo. Most of the rivulets, in which this coastal plains of West and Central Af- killish that comes from coastal regions form is rica. E-article (West Coast of Africa) of southeastern found, are tributaries of the River Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea Mungo. and northwestern Gabon. Males are slightly larger than females Chromaphyosemion splendopleure is but reach no more than 3 inches in over- most likely a true species and was best all length. These fish prefer softer con- Page 8 Tank Topics

I bought them. When I got home I DIY - LED Lighting tested the light over a 20 gallon long tank. It didn't look too bad! A bit on By Joe Reich the dim side as the light was about 6 inches above the tank held in place by a plastic zip tie to a 40 watt bulb. Every month I get a reminder from saying that lighting is a big power Laying the strip light on top of the my electric company that I watched consumer in my fish room. Even tank lid though is where these lights TV, did my laundry and had cold though the room has two windows, really showed their worth!! The light storage capabilities via my refrigera- it's not enough to light up the room, color looked excellent! Ever so tor. And, oh yeah, lets not forget let alone the tanks, what with being slightly on the blue side and the keeping my aquatic pets alive. I keep down in a section of my basement fishes colors were outstanding! My explaining to my power company that and all. My tanks were lit up by regu- little experiment was working, so I they don't have to keep reminding lar "cool" white flourecents. The stan- went back to the store the next week me. But alas, they insist. Looking at dard 40 watt bulb types. At the time I to buy more. It was disappointing my bill every month got me to think- set those up I thought it was the ulti- though that only the shallow tanks ing though that maybe I should make mate in efficiency. But technology looked nice and bright with them. I my little fish room a little more effi- has come a little farther these days. tried it over a 29 gallon, way too dim cient, a little greener as it were. Right now I have an aquarium that uses the T-8 flourecents, which for my liking. But hey, I have a lot of Hmmm. I already had a central air makes it more economical to run 10's, 15's, and 20 longs where I can system that did away with a few than using the standard T-12 type save electricity on. Not to mention 2 power filters, didn't seem like much bulbs. However, that efficiency 1/2's and 5's. at the time, but dog gone if my elec- comes a bit more pricey than the So here's a description of the lights. tric bill didn't go down some. I cer- standard bulbs and it makes me They are made by a company called tainly liked the fact that I was spend- wonder if it was really worth going Zylotech. The biggest strip light is 16 ing less money on my electric bill, that route. As compact flourecents inches long with a 3/4 inch height and the concept of actually saving started coming down in price I and width. The outer case is plastic money by not spending it had my started eyeing those. They ultimately and all the electronics, including the head spinning! I'm gonna have to get were passed over in my choice be- LED's are encapsulated by a clear in touch with the patent office and cause they don't have one yet that epoxy. No rusting here! The 16 inch have that idea patented. So I started throws a nice color light beam. How- light has a total of 22 LED's lined up looking elsewhere to see if I could ever, in my search I stumbled onto in a single row. They come with a shave a little more watts off my kilo- some LED light strips. I debated my- cord that has a rotary click switch on watt hour consumption. I'm one of self for a few minutes about buying the end, and the cord plugs into a those people that likes to have a light them as they cost around $22 for a small pigtail on the end of the light. over every tank. After all I do like 16 inch strip, but the wattage was The opposite end of the light has seeing my fish, so it goes without less than 1.5 watts! No pain, no gain! Tank Topics December 2009/January 2010 Page 9

and I did buy one made by Sylvania but then again, I got them on sale for that cost less, but the lighting output $14. Aluminum angle was in the is too yellow. Zylotech is the brand I'll neighborhood of $28 for an 8 foot stick with! And the only place I found piece and pushed the cost up con- them is at a store called Menard's. siderably. However, I justified them by saving time in construction. Some So now that I had the lights, it was people might not look at it that way, time to make a fixture that would but I was happy and that's what mat- hold them. Sitting just "as is" from tered. I also bought some 12 inch the manufacturer on top of the tank and 16 inch pigtail extensions, they wouldn't allow the strip light to sit came in really handy and cost squarely on the lid. That had to around $1.50 apeice. I linked up 9 another pigtail that can be plugged change! I bought some 2 inch by 2 strip lights and only used one plug. into another strip light, that way you inch aluminum angle from Home De- Nice! can link up a bunch and use only one pot (Lowe’s has it too but will always power cord. Pretty nifty! They also be out of stock for whatever you’re In conclusion I must say that I'm ex- come with little mounting brackets looking for) and cut them with a miter tremely happy with this little project and a couple of screws so that you saw to the length of the strip light. to say the least! My electric bill has can mount them under a kitchen Then I filed the edges enough to just been steadily going down as I make cabinet. I haven't had any need of knock off the burs. I chose aluminum more lights despite me adding a few the brackets though for my applica- because it won't rust and at some more tanks. Even after buying the tion. Oh yeah, almost forgot it's 120 point or another it will get wet. The aluminum angle stock, the payback volts and uses less than one and a aluminum also reflected a little more on this lighting set up will only be half watts per strip light! The 12 inch light into the tank, which was a plus. around a year and a half. Other light- strip light is exactly like the 16 inch, My 40 watt flourescent fixtures are ing set ups can't touch that claim!!! I except of course it's only 12 inches about 10 years old and rusting! I do, also don't have to buy any replace- long and only has 15 LED's. It almost however have to keep these fixtures ment bulbs, just another thing to con- uses a whole watt! They also make a away from salt! Salt loves to eat alu- sider when going to a more efficient puck (as in hockey) style light. I minum. After my angle was cut to lighting set up. LED's also last a lot thought that maybe since they were desired length, I used a degreaser to longer than bulbs, typically 14,000 round and seemed to concentrate remove oily deposits. Then I mixed hours or more! For the time being I'll more LED's into a smaller diameter up a 5 minute epoxy and brushed have to make do with the lower light that they would be brighter for some on the corners of the light fix- output LED's if I want them over my deeper tanks, but that's another little ture and clamped the strip light in- deep tanks, but I have a feeling that experiment that failed. Like I said, no side the angle at a 45 degree. When technology will catch up. One of my pain, no gain. They do look awe- it was cured (I let it set a good 15 aquatic catalogs already has some some though over a gallon jar! I minutes) it was ready for the tank! All LED lights made specifically for imagine that it would look equally I did was let them sit on the tank top. aquariums, but the prices! OUCH!!!! good over a fish bowl too. The puck Just doesn't get any simpler! What lights also use about a watts worth of did it cost me to make them? Well I’ll leave you with one final thought, it electric and can be chain linked to- the 16 inch strip lights were $22 a probably wouldn't be too hard to con- gether as well. There are other piece, but I've found them on sale for vert a plastic Perfecto hood into an manufacturers of LED strip lights, $16. The 12 inch strip lights are $17, LED light. Hmmmmmm. The Greater Akron Aquarium Society P.O. Box 494 Akron, OH 44309-0494

Meeting Notice - Do Not Delay Meeting Notice

Thursday, February 4 Thursday, March 4

Program: Orin McMonigle, “The Bug Man” Program: Dan McMonigle: Fixing returns with more interesting arthropods Broken Tanks (We’ll try again!)

Bowl Show: Suckermouth Catfish, Bowl Show: Barbs, Mollies, Corydoras Swordtails, Characins Aspidoras and Brochis Catfish Swordtails, Characins

All general meetings begin at 8:00 p.m. at the Mogadore Community/Senior Center

February 28, 2010 – April 22 through 25, 2010 – Coming Events SCALES - Spring Auction American Livebearer Asso- Perry Grange, Richville Dr. ciation Convention SW, Massillon, Ohio The Detroit Marriott - South- field, in Southfield, MI. More Feb 13, 2010 February 27, 2010 - Motor For more information: Cal information can be found at Ohio Cichlid Association City Aquarium Society - (330) 448-0084, John (330) www.ALA2010.com Winter Auction Auction 452-9027 Holiday Inn Select Strongs- new location: Madison Place ville, 15471 Royalton Road. 876 Horace Brown Dr Madi- March 7, 2010 – Greater Akron April 25 – Greater Pitts- Aquarium Society – Spring Cichlids, scavengers, plants son Heights MI Auction burgh Aquarium Society and dry goods only. 13 Mile Rd @ I-75, 1 block Tallmadge Community Center, Inc. - Spring Auction Registration 10-12 AM, east of I-75, south on Montpe- 80 Community Rd., Tallmadge North Hampton VFD, 5149 Auction begins at 11. lier to end Contact John Pre- For more information: Bud White North Pioneer Road, Gibso- Visit milovich if you wish to pre- (330) 848-3856 nia, PA 15044 www.ohiocichlid.com.for register: zap- ([email protected]),[email protected]), Wayne For more information: Con- more info [email protected] Toven (330) 296-6322 tacts: Don Tuttle 724-327- ([email protected]) or Rich 5163 and Bill Sensor 724- Serva (330) 650-4613 845-7171 ([email protected])