Paul Kettless
Member
Hi All,
I have been doing some homework and plenty of reading based around the hardscape and Mopani wood that I already have for my As900. I will be going for a triangular composition, heavily planted in one section Im hoping to have areas at the front that will allow me to have a couple of small soiled areas to carpet with a corner sand section. The scape will give me plenty of open swimming space for tetras This will all be easy plants of south american origion (seperate post for peoples thoughts on types, with maybe a couple of medium just to see how well they do) as I am starting fairly low tech, so no injected C02. However I have every intention of doing so as and when knowledge and funds allow it. Filtration will be quite high as I will be running to external canister filters, as I love my fish.
It seems that the wood, despite being from Africa would lend itself to a South American biotope. I wont stick religiously to this, but its the type of tank that I really enjoy, and love the lush greens.
With the fish, I have been reading an article by Filipe Olivera and to keep a balance of a scape, and not making it look too hectic, I should aim to stick with no more than 2 different species of shoaling fish for the mid section, 1 species for the top and the same for bottom dwellers. With maybe a showpiece pair.
Therefore, I would very much appreciate your opinions, and experiences of certain species, its worth mentioning that I live in the east with very hard water. I have been considering an HMA filter, but need to research that more. RO is def out of the questions, as we are on a water meter and for financial and ecological reasons, I just cannot justify one. I appreciate one persons fish preference is not the others, but I value your input all the same. So at the moment this is my wishlist.......
Upper Section
Nannostomus Beckfordi (Pencil fish) 4-6
Mid section
Hyphessobrycon Flammeus (Red Flame Tetra) 13-15
Paracheirodon Axelrodi (Cardinal Tetra) 13-15
Lower Section
Corydoras Sterbai 6-8
Showcase pair
Microgeophagus Altispinosa (Neon Dwarf Ram)
Additional
Otocinclus
Amano Shrimp
Nerite Snails
Red Cherry Shrimp
Im not sure on the showcase pair, I appreciate that being a Cichlid, all shrimp are just a snack. However an expensive one if they are going to deplete the tank. My readings suggest that if the colour of shrimp blends in with the colour of the substrate the fish are less likely to predate. Therefore it seems that Amano may be the best way to go as bigger in size and a clear colour on my sand substrate.
Many thanks for reading, and I look forward to reading your thoughts and comments.
Kind regards
Paul
I have been doing some homework and plenty of reading based around the hardscape and Mopani wood that I already have for my As900. I will be going for a triangular composition, heavily planted in one section Im hoping to have areas at the front that will allow me to have a couple of small soiled areas to carpet with a corner sand section. The scape will give me plenty of open swimming space for tetras This will all be easy plants of south american origion (seperate post for peoples thoughts on types, with maybe a couple of medium just to see how well they do) as I am starting fairly low tech, so no injected C02. However I have every intention of doing so as and when knowledge and funds allow it. Filtration will be quite high as I will be running to external canister filters, as I love my fish.
It seems that the wood, despite being from Africa would lend itself to a South American biotope. I wont stick religiously to this, but its the type of tank that I really enjoy, and love the lush greens.
With the fish, I have been reading an article by Filipe Olivera and to keep a balance of a scape, and not making it look too hectic, I should aim to stick with no more than 2 different species of shoaling fish for the mid section, 1 species for the top and the same for bottom dwellers. With maybe a showpiece pair.
Therefore, I would very much appreciate your opinions, and experiences of certain species, its worth mentioning that I live in the east with very hard water. I have been considering an HMA filter, but need to research that more. RO is def out of the questions, as we are on a water meter and for financial and ecological reasons, I just cannot justify one. I appreciate one persons fish preference is not the others, but I value your input all the same. So at the moment this is my wishlist.......
Upper Section
Nannostomus Beckfordi (Pencil fish) 4-6
Mid section
Hyphessobrycon Flammeus (Red Flame Tetra) 13-15
Paracheirodon Axelrodi (Cardinal Tetra) 13-15
Lower Section
Corydoras Sterbai 6-8
Showcase pair
Microgeophagus Altispinosa (Neon Dwarf Ram)
Additional
Otocinclus
Amano Shrimp
Nerite Snails
Red Cherry Shrimp
Im not sure on the showcase pair, I appreciate that being a Cichlid, all shrimp are just a snack. However an expensive one if they are going to deplete the tank. My readings suggest that if the colour of shrimp blends in with the colour of the substrate the fish are less likely to predate. Therefore it seems that Amano may be the best way to go as bigger in size and a clear colour on my sand substrate.
Many thanks for reading, and I look forward to reading your thoughts and comments.
Kind regards
Paul
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