Paluscapes
New Member
Hi UKAPS!
Here's the build log for my living room aquascape.
As per my intro, I currently have poison frog vivariums but am returning to the planted tank world, having dipped my toes in a couple years back. This time I'm looking to take it up a notch with higher end equipment and heavy planting.
The theme of the tank is an Amazon-themed aquascape, looking to use some flora and fauna from the Amazonas state in Brazil. I used iNaturalist to find that Apistogramma Agassizii would make ideal inhabitants. I love the idea of a species-only tank that would encourage breeding, a mindset common amongst most poison frog keepers. But of course I welcome all advice on stocking for this size aquarium and behaviour of fishes! Would certainly like inhabitants that are visually interesting (is a group/hareem of Apistos possible?), as the tank sits in my flat's living/dining area. Also would love to know the best source for fish - I am in South London and have been to aquatic design centre a number of times, so likely would start there.
Other inhabitants that are roughly sympatric and could potentially live well together are:
For plants, I like the following ~sympatric species:
and some definitely allopatric species that I still love:
As much as I'd love some Hatchetfish and Pencilfish, I understand their jumping habits aren't ideal for open-top tanks.
On to the build:
The aquarium is a 60cm x 60cm x 30cm (LxDxH) rimless low boy I found on eBay. It should hold ~100L of water. The artwork behind was by chance left here by a friend of my flatmate's but fits perfectly!
I got a few lovely pieces of bogwood from Crowders Botanicals, and a lava rock from marketplace. I liked this island style layout the best, but thought there was too much negative space and I could utilise the depth better. I put a frosted film on the back for now (not sure where to source a light screen but also concerned about the cost!)
10kg of Lava rock from Riverwood later, and I'm starting to really like the composition. Hoping this will make planting easier, and allow me to put aquasoil in the middle and back, with sand in the foreground and around the outside of the rocks.
I thought that the addition of twigs gave it some nice additional detail, but still undecided as to whether I'll include them or not. Loving the viewing angles from each side and the look of the wood pieces.
Equipment so far:
Light: Chihiros WRGB*
Filter: Oase BioMaster Thermo 350
Heating: "
CO2: TBD
Will update this once I get the hardscape in. Advice, opinions, criticisms, praise all very welcome here, would love to correct any mistakes earlier rather than later! TIA
*does anyone know a product/DIY fix I can use to elevate the chihiros light? Raising it a few inches will disperse the light better and allow for some emersed growth from the plants.
Here's the build log for my living room aquascape.
As per my intro, I currently have poison frog vivariums but am returning to the planted tank world, having dipped my toes in a couple years back. This time I'm looking to take it up a notch with higher end equipment and heavy planting.
The theme of the tank is an Amazon-themed aquascape, looking to use some flora and fauna from the Amazonas state in Brazil. I used iNaturalist to find that Apistogramma Agassizii would make ideal inhabitants. I love the idea of a species-only tank that would encourage breeding, a mindset common amongst most poison frog keepers. But of course I welcome all advice on stocking for this size aquarium and behaviour of fishes! Would certainly like inhabitants that are visually interesting (is a group/hareem of Apistos possible?), as the tank sits in my flat's living/dining area. Also would love to know the best source for fish - I am in South London and have been to aquatic design centre a number of times, so likely would start there.
Other inhabitants that are roughly sympatric and could potentially live well together are:
- Ruby, Cardinal, Glowlight, Serpae, Neon, Fireheaded (Rummynose), Green neon Tetra;
- Threestripe Corydoras
For plants, I like the following ~sympatric species:
- Echinodorus Palifolius
- Vallisneria sp.
- Phyllanthus Fluitans
- Staurogyne Repens
- Lilaeopsis Brasiliensis
- Hydrocleys Nymphoides
and some definitely allopatric species that I still love:
- Bucephelandra sp.
- Anubius small varieties
- Vallisneria Nana
- Hygrophila Pinnatifida
- Nymphaea Lotus
- Eleocharis Pusilla
- Marsilea Hirsuta
- Glossostigma Elatinoides
- Cryptocoryne Parva
As much as I'd love some Hatchetfish and Pencilfish, I understand their jumping habits aren't ideal for open-top tanks.
On to the build:
The aquarium is a 60cm x 60cm x 30cm (LxDxH) rimless low boy I found on eBay. It should hold ~100L of water. The artwork behind was by chance left here by a friend of my flatmate's but fits perfectly!
I got a few lovely pieces of bogwood from Crowders Botanicals, and a lava rock from marketplace. I liked this island style layout the best, but thought there was too much negative space and I could utilise the depth better. I put a frosted film on the back for now (not sure where to source a light screen but also concerned about the cost!)
10kg of Lava rock from Riverwood later, and I'm starting to really like the composition. Hoping this will make planting easier, and allow me to put aquasoil in the middle and back, with sand in the foreground and around the outside of the rocks.
I thought that the addition of twigs gave it some nice additional detail, but still undecided as to whether I'll include them or not. Loving the viewing angles from each side and the look of the wood pieces.
Equipment so far:
Light: Chihiros WRGB*
Filter: Oase BioMaster Thermo 350
Heating: "
CO2: TBD
Will update this once I get the hardscape in. Advice, opinions, criticisms, praise all very welcome here, would love to correct any mistakes earlier rather than later! TIA
*does anyone know a product/DIY fix I can use to elevate the chihiros light? Raising it a few inches will disperse the light better and allow for some emersed growth from the plants.
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