A Bull With Yogurts
Member
Hi all,
I'm currently putting together my first tank and have just finished the hardscape. As a total novice who has never even owned a goldfish bowl before, I would really appreciate some advice. First some info on the setup:
The idea was to build something resembling the bed of a stream that had been subject to a big flood in the past. I wanted the stones and driftwood to look like they had been washed down by a torrent following from right to left. Obviously in nature these stones would never be found with this sand, but I really like the colour contrast. Hopefully it doesn't look too contrived.
Here's a snap. Apologies for the overexposed and generally poor picture (and the smears all over the tank glass). Once again, this is my first attempt at a hardscape and clearly I'm not expecting it to win any awards.
My first questions relate to the tree stump on the right. I'd like to grow some moss to cover the string which is securing it to the tank floor. Any ideas what type of moss would take to the hard and smooth wood? Also, I drilled out the inside of the left part of the stump to create a hole about 5cm deep. I've filled this with substrate and would like to plant something in it that won't look ridiculously out of place (not moss though). Any suggestions? Here's a closeup.
Secondly, when I constructed the mound on the left I buried a network of PVC pipes to serve as tunnels and caves for the catfish I intend to put in the tank. This resulted in areas around the tunnel entrances being so steep that no sand will hold. In these places the soil is directly exposed to the water. Thanks to the cat litter the soil currently has the consistency of modelling clay and is holding tight. However, with prolonged exposure to the water movement I expect it to start being eroded. Can anyone recommend any fast growing mosses (Java Moss?) that will shore up the entrances and be happy growing directly on the soil? Here's a couple of snaps that highlight the issue.
Lastly, I've no definite plans for the flora in the tank beyond ensuring that the back and sides have tall background plants. Apparently they are needed to provide visual cues to the Wrestling Halfbeaks I want keep. Without the plants they have a tendency to crash into the glass and damage their beaks.
With that in mind any general suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.
Thanks
I'm currently putting together my first tank and have just finished the hardscape. As a total novice who has never even owned a goldfish bowl before, I would really appreciate some advice. First some info on the setup:
- The tank's an older style Juwel Rio 400 and is 150cm long and 55cm deep.
- With the hardscape in place I estimate a water capacity of around 350L.
- My tap water hovers around 7.6pH and 18GH.
- The water temp is 24/25C.
- It's a low energy tank (i.e. no CO2 injection or regular dosing with ferts)
- The lighting consists of 2 Aquaray GroBeam 600 units installed about 5cm above the water line.
- I'd like to use a 10-12 hour photoperiod.
- The substrate consists of soil with a sand cap.
- The driftwood has been stripped of bark and soaked for 4 weeks.
The idea was to build something resembling the bed of a stream that had been subject to a big flood in the past. I wanted the stones and driftwood to look like they had been washed down by a torrent following from right to left. Obviously in nature these stones would never be found with this sand, but I really like the colour contrast. Hopefully it doesn't look too contrived.
Here's a snap. Apologies for the overexposed and generally poor picture (and the smears all over the tank glass). Once again, this is my first attempt at a hardscape and clearly I'm not expecting it to win any awards.
My first questions relate to the tree stump on the right. I'd like to grow some moss to cover the string which is securing it to the tank floor. Any ideas what type of moss would take to the hard and smooth wood? Also, I drilled out the inside of the left part of the stump to create a hole about 5cm deep. I've filled this with substrate and would like to plant something in it that won't look ridiculously out of place (not moss though). Any suggestions? Here's a closeup.
Secondly, when I constructed the mound on the left I buried a network of PVC pipes to serve as tunnels and caves for the catfish I intend to put in the tank. This resulted in areas around the tunnel entrances being so steep that no sand will hold. In these places the soil is directly exposed to the water. Thanks to the cat litter the soil currently has the consistency of modelling clay and is holding tight. However, with prolonged exposure to the water movement I expect it to start being eroded. Can anyone recommend any fast growing mosses (Java Moss?) that will shore up the entrances and be happy growing directly on the soil? Here's a couple of snaps that highlight the issue.
Lastly, I've no definite plans for the flora in the tank beyond ensuring that the back and sides have tall background plants. Apparently they are needed to provide visual cues to the Wrestling Halfbeaks I want keep. Without the plants they have a tendency to crash into the glass and damage their beaks.
With that in mind any general suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.
Thanks
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