Low Tech Sumatra Biotope

[greenbliss]

I've been wondering why more people don't make tanks like this. More original than CO2 and mass bred fish that are delicate and inbred and die quickly. This is the sort of thing that inspires me to keep fish. Biotope tanks can lend themselves to endangered species and learning more about nature. Quite a nice thought really.

Wild fish don't have to be bad either... It can help the people that live in the countries where they are harvested from. Better life in a tank too no? Better than being eaten by birds or god knows what.

 

[PARAGUAY]

My neighbours fish house had Discus with every colour of the rainbow,they looked so good,but nothing was better than his huge Wild Discus tank, guessing it was 5 or 6 feet with the natural subdued colouration

 

[Ratvan]

Loving the Tank Janitors, especially these guy's






The Gobies especially loved the Blackworms and Water Louse, hopefully some made it

 

[Onoma1]

scenic delights of Burnley, Accrington, Blackburn and Preston on the way?

...hmm I am not convinced...

Alternatively, have a chat with Tony in the Fishshop in Waterfoot. He used to own and run a much larger shop elsewhere before selling it (the shop is still operating) and downsizing to Waterfoot. He kept hos contacts and he tends to import every second Friday. His stock levels are very low and tend to be the same fish you would pick up elsewhere. Most of the interesting fish seem to be bought in for orders or for customers he knows. He orders in what's available on the lists so it could take some time. Phone him before you go.

 

[Ratvan]

...hmm I am not convinced...

Alternatively, have a chat with Tony in the Fishshop in Waterfoot. He used to own and run a much larger shop elsewhere before selling it (the shop is still operating) and downsizing to Waterfoot. He kept hos contacts and he tends to import every second Friday. His stock levels are very low and tend to be the same fish you would pick up elsewhere. Most of the interesting fish seem to be bought in for orders or for customers he knows. He orders in what's available on the lists so it could take some time. Phone him before you go.

Thanks if i get around to creating and stocking another tank i shall bear them in mind along with the others that have been recommended

 

[Ratvan]

So I have noticed that since adding the Tank janitors and Gobies as well as increasing my fertilizing regime with TNC Complete (the one with phosphates and nitrates) as per directions on the tank that I have had a serious reduction in the growth of "Green Hair Algae's". My Amazon Frogbit and the Java Fern Growth as well seems to have really taken off. I am not really noticing that much growth from the Hygrophila Polysperma, the small offcuts that I made while tidying up the plants are settling in well but the growth seems to be more horizontal branching than vertical growth.

The Lagenandra Meeboldii is definitely still my favourite plant, I think that I am also starting to notice some rhizome growth or potentially a runner as there seems to be a secondary small clump at the front of the plant. I may have underestimated the growth rate of this plant and may need replanting towards the rear of the tank (far corner under the return nozzle)

The Cryptocoryne are also doing well but as they are slower growers I notice this less and less until it gets to a point where I compare the growth within the tank from my first planting photograph.

In other news I have persuaded the other half that the Current Stand is not really suitable for the tank (she doesn't like to see all the plugs and cables - so I have left them in a deliberate Rats Nest Appearance) so I am currently shopping for a stand or cabinet that has the potential to house another tank under this current one.... lets see if she picks up on the plan when I start asking questions about the load bearing capacity of furniture.....

@greenbliss I would like to take you up on that offer if i may? Move to PM whenever you are ready

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

The Gobies especially loved the Blackworms and Water Louse, hopefully some made it

That was always likely to be an issue once you had the Gobies.

Water Louse (Asellus aquaticus) <"are great survivors">, but Crangonyx and Blackworms (Lumbriculus variegatus) are both highly palatable and <"cat-nip for most fish">.

cheers Darrel

 

[Ratvan]

Hi all,

That was always likely to be an issue once you had the Gobies.

Water Louse (Asellus aquaticus) <"are great survivors">, but Crangonyx and Blackworms (Lumbriculus variegatus) are both highly palatable and <"cat-nip for most fish">.

cheers Darrel

Indeed it was, thankfully I added a lot of Moss to both of these small containers

Worms in one and "Shrimpy Things" as the kids call them in the other

 

[Ratvan]

Things are looking good in the tank, the Gobies I am noticing out more and more. Two of them seem to always stay together with the 3rd often keeping its distance towards the front glass.

I have noticed a massive reduction in the algae within the tank so I have taken the decision to increase the lighting from 40% to 50% as well as increasing the duration from 8 hours to 9.

I have also noticed what I believe to be courting behaviour from the Harlequin Rasbora's, and have seen a couple of the fish swimming upside down in amongst the Java Fern and Lagenandra Meeboldii but have not as yet seen any eggs (that aren't snail eggs anyway)

I think that soon I may have to move the aforementioned Meeboldii to underneath the Duck Bills as it is growing at a fairly rapid rate and I think it is putting out a "pup" at the front

Also may have found a new stand that I quite like

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

I have also noticed what I believe to be courting behaviour from the Harlequin Rasbora's, and have seen a couple of the fish swimming upside down in amongst the Java Fern and Lagenandra Meeboldii but have not as yet seen any eggs

That is spawning behaviour and they definitely look in condition in your photo.

cheers Darrel

 

[Ratvan]

Not in a couple of weeks, mainly because there really isn't that much change going on within the tank as it stands.

I've yet to see any eggs from the Rasbora, there is always the chance that they may have laid these out of sight at the rear of the tank as I view it.

The only real change (that I have mentioned in another thread) is that the long suffering other half has finally buckled and has agreed that December Pay Check can go towards a large tank for the living room so i have been looking at a multitude of tanks in the 3 foot range. I can just about squeeze 115cm in length but the 4 foot tanks are just not going to be able to be placed where we want it.

I'm currently looking at the Fluval Shaker 252L tank and Cabinet which would give me a nice scope to include some more interesting species of plants and fish, I am more then likely going to increase the Rasbora School Size, get some Glass Catfish and Some Kuhli Loaches and go for a South East Asian themed Tank.

I really do like the Gobies and think that I will most likely scape this tank into a Stream Type Aquarium set up, maybe even play with some Bucephalandra as well in this little tank that will be relegated to our bedroom