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This is just my experience, but my shoal of Marginatus rapidly diminished through them jumping out. Similar in planting style/level to yours, though a bit smaller!

I drain and spray down the butt a couple of times a year, but otherwise do little else and all seems fine. It usually has daphnia in I use as a rough check, along with the sniff test… mine is around half the volume though, so nothing stands around for very long. I keep meaning to get another to...

Agree with all the above. The Denison barbs like it a little cooler, with Seriously fish suggesting a max of 25, so I think they would be a good species to swap for a larger number of tetras.

Great fish! Just out of interest, what are the water parameters and temp? Mine seemed more inclined to breed at higher temperatures, though it never got very far.

Great setup. The marcgravia in there is really nice

That sounds about right- I just meant that a substrate containing a lot of organic matter might cause problems if it were constantly wet.

It would be interesting to hear the perspective of any aquascapers in SE Asia, the hobby is definitely strong in a number of countries with a more similar climate than the UK.

Another vote for aquasoil for a high humidity terrarium. I have also used some of this 'Dendrosoil' before, a mix of orchid bark, leaf mould, coir etc, over a base of hydroleca topped with some matting. It's a bit of a faff and I wouldn't recommend it where you want things to be consistently...

A real pain on all the tender plants which live inside over the winter. I've found that SB plant invigorator seems to help.

I’m starting various seedlings off under an old Chihiros led fixture with great success, I don’t see why other lights wouldn’t work. Easy to have a long photoperiod of 12 hours plus, and perhaps necessary depending on intensity

I lost all my pencil fish to jumping, even with a slightly reduced water level- both marginatus and beckfords - and I wouldn’t try them again without a lid. However I can vouch for Emperor tetras as being extremely forgiving as an impressive and attractive S American species. Mine bred and...

I came across this paper recently, which goes into some depth on the foundational differences between Japanese and Western conceptions of nature - quite an interesting read in this context. For ref it's: Aoyagi, M., Vinken, H., Kuribayashi, A., 2003. Pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors...

Meant to say - think I started on a 6 hour duration, not including the ramp up and down, but this has now been extended to 8 now that the system is pretty stable. During the summer when I didn't have much rainwater, I didn't water change for 3/4 weeks at a time.

I started my low tech, 600S setup on around 45%, but quickly went up from that- I think it's now up to at least 80% at its peak. I have similar planting to you, including a slow burning carpet of Lilaeopsis (and Marsilea hirsuta & E/H tenellum 'Green'). I found that it seemed to work best...

Fantastic news!

Mine eat the small Fluval Bug Bites, took them a week or so to work it out. However, I think I'll get a grindal worm culture on the go once the live food is less plentiful outside, maybe whiteworms too. The gouramis are extremely loud - hoping this indicates some breeding, have you heard...

I have overwintered it for the past 3 or so years, though I do admit that my garden is pretty sheltered and in London, I've chanced my arm with a lot of tender plants with some success (and some failure), mostly because of laziness. It did make it through the cold in 2018 though. It's in a...

Really enjoying this project- much envy! I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how well off cuts from my aquariums have done in my admittedly sheltered garden- heteranthera zosterifolia particularly seems bizarrely hardy, but I’m sure there are others that would work to soften edges in the same...

Wow, what species is that? Great tank all round! The Buce has really multiplied

I've used this one from eBay a few times, bit more of a natural colour and a range of coarser grain sizes than play sand, which I've also bought from Argos in the past loads of times.

Agreed, this was one of my first thoughts. Also, 2 hours of acclimatisation seems excessive to me, and possibly another source of stress (I'm also in London and a rainwater user). Also think that leaving a planted tank for as long as possible before adding any fish is a good idea - not least...

I’ve found the temperature stays pretty stable, obviously depends on air temps but retains heat overnight and doesn’t climb too rapidly when sunny, which is definitely a big plus for fishkeeping. The surface is 2/3rds covered with plants though, including water lilies. Nymphaea helvola, N...

Heteranthera zosterifolia has gone wild in my shady ‘pond’ (a half barrel) which has even less sun than that. Different leaf shape and growth habit to in the tank, and some nice emersed stuff too, including purple flowers. Survives over winter too. Also got some crypts, P. gayi and Rotala in...

Any pics of the 5x4x2? amazing size!

Wow, would be interesting to see. In my travels across Asia I've seen some truly huge aquaria, often hidden in the most unexpected places Seems like the bigger the better, with big and extremely frequent water changes, are the thing for success. As great as they can look, and as wonderful a pet...

Not a big issue, though a little unsightly. Plenty of useful threads on here about control. If your maintenance is good, their numbers will be limited I suspect. From there it just depends how annoying you find them before you go in for a control.

Neglected to mention, I bought the Panacur from eBay for a pound or two. I had been ignoring them for a few years, just felt like a cheap lockdown project to while away the hours!

I've recently been using Panacur. I crushed the granules in the sachet and mixed with 250 ml or so of rainwater, added 20ml per day for 3 days to be on the safe side. After a day or two the contents of the bottle smelt absolutely terrible! I did wonder if this indicated some sort of breakdown of...

I've had these a few times, and I don't know why they aren't seen more often. As you say, the males get an amazing deep crimson colour and become quite chunky. The females are great too, and both get to a decent size. They are really easy to breed too, if you have a reasonably well planted...

It was Corydalis temulifolia 'Chocolate Stars' if anyone was interested. Nice plant.

Worth mentioning Tanichthys micagemmae too! Not kept them myself but one I'd like to give a go in future.

I’m another rainwater advocate. However if that’s not possible, I wouldn’t be too bothered about acclimating them to tap for a shortish period. I’ve done this over dry summers before, while London water is definitely not ideal, I still feel it’s better than not changing water at all.

Agree, I have/had a similar stock list in my 36”x16”x16”, with Emperor tetras and Bentosis replacing your first two, and Apistogramma agassizii in place of the Rams. There a couple of considerations. Nannostomus definitely require a lid- over time I’ve lost all mine this way unfortunately...

I’m a big fan of low tech tanks, and find they have a wonderful degree of stability once up and running. However, like most tanks, big and regular water changes seem to be useful over the first month or two in stopping algae growth. Its a pain to get rid of once it’s there in force, and I’m...

I think it depends on the retailer- some have really comprehensive quarantine and pre-sale treatment facilities, others not so much... Also, as you say some species are almost certainly wild caught, Carinotetraodon travancoricus comes to mind.

Will most larger cichlids’ digging and general tank remodelling behaviour not be problematic with stems? That said, I suppose they could simply float and form a large mass, could look quite effective.

I agree... though I have a nearly 5 year old B brigittae, the others died off after a year or so. Constantly amazes me.

Nothing special with my setup, just a water butt.

I live in east London and use rainwater without any issues. I did use to carbon filter it, but now I just check if the daphnia etc in the water butt are still alive.

I’ve got a Twinstar (S series) on a low tech.Still running it in, but 40-55% or so is plenty at the moment. Like you I wanted the option to go high tech in future. Mine is the 60cm model on an 80x45cm tank, and the spread is fine- actually gives some nice hardscape shadow. You can adjust the...

Looking forward to this one

I use rainwater, so have a similar problem. It’s a bit unsightly, but I fill up one or two large plastic storage containers the night before and leave them inside. They’re usually up to a usable temp by the following evening, then just a case of sticking a pump in.

Indeed, it’s really confused me! At first I thought it was some kind of Plectranthus, but I don’t think that’s right. I did also think it might have been a tropical plant, but it’s been visibly growing over the past few weeks.

This rather nice plant is growing in a well maintained public square in Islington. There are some really nice specimens in there, on a sub-tropical theme, including a few very fancy hardy Schefflera. This one has me stumped though, any ideas?

I always check out the shops when I’m away- really interesting to see what’s on offer. always tempted to bring a few plants back in my suitcase but decided against it thus far. Was in Vietnam last month, the prices and sizes of the Bucephalandra on offer were quite something.

One issue is that while the design of Ikea stuff hasn’t changed much over the years, the materials have. I’ve seen particle board shelves replaced with cardboard composite sheets, with a reduction in weight rating. It’s a sustainability thing. However, that’s not to say it’s not still worth a...

Not kept them myself, but I was thinking of going for some Micronemacheilus cruciatus (vietnamese hovering loach) in future, similar to the aforementioned rosy

I'm another osmocote user, though always a bit unsure how densely to scatter on start up... I did intend to use the Seachem ones as i liked the idea of crushing them up for use in shallow foreground planting, but clearly not enough to remember to actually buy them and give it a try.

another one here!

Ah, would never have thought of that - thanks!

Both iterations of this set up are really nice. Sorry to dredge up an old post, but I’m curious as to how you attach the aluminium profile to the light?

Really nice! What's the Bucephalandra with the long leaves on the left- looks really effective. Glad to see the H'ra works well low tech, I have plans for a low tech with that in.

Ended up getting some foam from this eBay seller if anyone is looking for a UK source of larger sheets. Now just need to get a piece of acrylic cut to use as a substrate retainer, will probably fabricate something which will do this but also mean I can take the HMF in and out if required. Do...

Good idea in principle, but the one I got broke pretty quickly unfortunately! Perfect, thanks, day trip to Wilkos it is

Does anyone have a good lead on a suitably padded clip, strong enough to secure the loose end of a hose which can be used during waterchanges? I have a large tub with a pump and hose in it, with the same hose used to siphon from the tank and then pump into the garden. I then fill the tub with...

Interesting, thanks all! Considering giving it a go...

I saw this (pretty algae ridden) carpet of a Nymphaea sp. growing in an old canoe whilst on holiday in Vietnam recently. This was in a couple of inches of water in the direct sun. I wonder if a similar effect could/has been achieved in the aquarium?

Cool, thanks!

Looks nice, which orchids are those?

What are people’s thoughts on flow with HMFs? I suspect a high turnover/low flow is desirable, but may be wrong! Specifically, I’m wondering if 2x 400lph Newa maxi jets will suffice on a 32” HMF, with a distance of 18” front to back. Want decent circulation for the plants, without it being...

Difficult one! The people at Characins of the World are pretty clued up on weird new imports etc, could be worth a go there

Apologies, just realised this was covered just a few messages previously!

Aha! That looks pretty perfect, though spending €50 on a piece of foam does make me wince a little. I take it these are pretty rigid and won't need any major support in the tank? Was thinking about using some channel of one kind or another to keep the substrate out but otherwise just cutting it...

Thanks all, very helpful indeed.

I'd really like to do an entire back wall, with a powerhead or two, but finding a sheet of sufficient size is troublesome- as mentioned 50x50cm is the largest I can find (e.g. https://www.shrimpcorner.co.uk/home/sponge-sheet-poret-foam-black.html) Attaching more than one sheet together to make...

Hi all, Apologies if this has been covered already, but I couldn’t quite find the info I was after by searching. I’m looking to get a 80x45x35cm tank made up for a low tech project I have in mind. Does anyone have an experience using a 600SA on an aquarium of this length? I’m sure coverage...

I've got a population in the water butt, which I also use for water changes. The idea was that they'd act as a bioassay, as well as providing a food source. Always manage to get a few good net-fulls and absolutely zero input from me.

Ingenious. Makes me want to keep these again

Really interesting stuff. Funnily enough I have Laetacara dorsigera at this temp at the moment.

I have 12 in a 36x16x16", extremely bold, though not so much for the Ember tetras to appear too bothered. I have 10 males to 2 females (not by choice) which makes for an awful lot of displaying and conflict over territory, though I've never seen any damage to their fins. Their colours seem to...

Really nice!

Maybe something like this? I seem to recall there are more pics on the build in there somewhere...

Thanks all, some excellent species there. And agreed - I think seasonality in terms of gradual changes of temperature is definitely something that's missing from most aquaria. I've got most tanks set at around 22/3, but they've got up some way past that during the Summer months. I've been...

Really nice. Did the Ficus pumila do well?

Definitely on my list for the future!

Definitely on my list for the future!

I saw a Filipe Oliveira video where he was running an aquarium without any heater, with a pair of honey gourami (Trichogaster chuna) as the centrepiece. It got me thinking about which other species are happy in the high teens/low twenties, outside the usual suspects (White Clouds, Paradise fish...

Has anyone tried growing edible mushrooms? I'm curious about the various kits which grow them on straw, coffee grounds, old books even - seems pretty straightforward!

I bought a slightly dubious looking glass trap from Chinese eBay- effectively a tube you can bait, which they find it difficult to get out of. Worked pretty well!

What kinds of water parameters have people had success with these?

Extremely classy build, any more thoughts on the scape and livestock?

Good luck, hope the introduction goes well!

Agreed, it's extremely difficult to isolate any one factor in these kinds of situations. Just to throw another thing out there, I'm also in London, and have had a few mysterious deaths in past years in established (non-CO2) tanks with previously healthy fish. I moved to using rainwater cut with...

I also have an APS pump, with one of these valves on the end of the hose so I can control the flow rate.

very interesting indeed. Slightly off topic but can I ask what you've used to affix the rockwork together?

Some excellent advice. I've found that Black Phantom's appreciate some cover from floating plants, mine definitely showed better colouration when their tank was quite shaded, though not ideal for plant growth... Embers on the other hand are more forgiving, and you could stretch to double figures.

In a similar position with a single female Laetacara dorsigera. I've been tempted to try to move things around in the tank just prior to the introduction of a new male, as mentioned with plenty of hiding places, to try to avoid any serious territorial disputes, but still feels like something of...

Just stumbled upon this thread and extremely curious to find out where it went next, if you would be so kind?

i've grown Nymphaea zenkeri in more or less just sand, seems fine so long as the surface leaves can get enough light

As for how and where - I've not found anywhere else with more authoritative information, across all sorts of practical problems, in all my fitless Googling

Hello! UKAPS has been such a longstanding source of invaluable information over the past few years I thought I'd better sign up and do my best to contribute my own knowledge. I have 5 low tech tanks, looking forward to sharing the various flora & fauna