Saltynay
Seedling
- Joined
- 27 Sep 2014
- Messages
- 13
This is my first proper attempt at a planted tank. I have been into freshwater for 11 years but only dabbled in plants never truly researching the components to put together a large aquascape / art piece. So lets dig in:
Idea
I have for years loved my kuhli loaches and the way they remain almost unseen in a tank then suddenly reappear clumped behind the filter or a plant. So I want this aquascape to extenuate this. Yes I am crazy as I am going to spend money, time and effort to help my fish hide. However, I think it will add to the dynamic with the characters appearing from random places within the tank. I am going to achieve this through using PVC pipes to allow tunnels and caves through the substrate. To prevent the tunnels from becoming stagnant I will use 40mm diameter PVC and every month use a pump to clean out the tunnel from any detritus. I have also taken inspiration from a stream or creek running down a gentle gradient with the fish sleeping in caves within the soft banks to provide a rest bite from the flow of the stream.
Flora
Idea
I have for years loved my kuhli loaches and the way they remain almost unseen in a tank then suddenly reappear clumped behind the filter or a plant. So I want this aquascape to extenuate this. Yes I am crazy as I am going to spend money, time and effort to help my fish hide. However, I think it will add to the dynamic with the characters appearing from random places within the tank. I am going to achieve this through using PVC pipes to allow tunnels and caves through the substrate. To prevent the tunnels from becoming stagnant I will use 40mm diameter PVC and every month use a pump to clean out the tunnel from any detritus. I have also taken inspiration from a stream or creek running down a gentle gradient with the fish sleeping in caves within the soft banks to provide a rest bite from the flow of the stream.
Flora
- Foreground - Staurogyne Repens
- Midground - E. Tennellus, E.Bleheri, E. Aquartica, E. Red flamed, E. Vesuvias,
- Background - Nymphaea stellata, Nymphoides aquatica
- Moss accents - Christmas Moss (Vesicularia montagnei)
- Kuhli Loaches x 6
- Dwarf Corydoras x 5 (or another small bottom dweller)
- Ceylon/Werners Killifish x 3
- Lyretail Killifish x 3
- Inverts - Cherry shrimp, MTS, Assassin Snails, Ramshorn snails and horned Nerite snail
- Tank: 105Ltrs painted black on 2 sides
- Lighting: T8 20Wx2 installed in a white hood
- Prefilter: DIY Hagen Matten Eck Filter
- Filter: Eheim 2227 wet/dry
- Substrate: Tropica Complete
- Sand cap: Caribsea Tahitan moon black
- Heater: Eheim Jager 150W at 26C
- Misc: Eheim installation kits 1&2, PVC pipes and angles 40mm, PVC pipe 100mm, silicone, Digital thermometer, Planting tools
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