My first EVER planted tank. Journal of a 20 long, South American biotope

[fishman9809]

this is the day I got my tank. My equipment should come by the middle of the week. I will modify my current stand to hold a 20/possibly DIY a new one. Here is the tank currently. The tank pics are old, but I will update tomorrow morning, cuz its late.:



filled for test



another angle


inside corner silicone job

side of tank with pretty good silicone

so far the equipment I have is:

12 liters of Aqua Soil Amazonia
Whisper HOB 40 Filter
Peat pellets
2 Hagen fermentation bottles


to buy:

2 t-5 36 watt fixtures
1 set of Pfertz ferts
1 Rhinox Glass Co2 diffuser
1 Chameleon bubble counter

fish list so far:

1 pair of Blue Rams
9 Rummynoses
6 otocinclus vittatus

plants have sort of been decided, but not yet, because plants are being donated to me for free, and the plants will be taken from SFBAAPS meets, so I will grab some and work with it.

I have 2 current aquascape designs on paint, will post tomorrow, and/or even make a 3rd aquascape!!!

G'night

Nick

PS: I will have the pics of the equip, no filled aquasoil and stuff like that.

[fishman9809]

before I post the pics of the equip, I want to know, does a biotope have to have the tea colored water and those leaves? I like them, but it seems kinda hard and messy(my parents worst nightmare)

[goalcreas]

Hello Nick, welcome to ASW.

[Pat7676]

Can't wait to see this set up!!

[dirrtybirdy]

Originally Posted by Pat7676

Can't wait to see this set up!!

x2.

[fishman9809]

Hey everyone, I am sooooo pumped, thanks all, so does a biotope necessarily have to have tea colored water? I have seen many like that, like dirrtybirdy's tank, but I like the wild look, but I also like how the clear water looks, so you can admire every single detail.

[Pat7676]

Make sure to keep us posted!

[fishman9809]

I cant figure out y, but my card reader isn't working, so I cant post pics, yet. Stay patient, the pics will come!!

[goalcreas]

HURRY UP


Just kidding, take your time

[fishman9809]

hello, actually, in order to make a successful biotope (of the Llanos plains), I rearranged the stocking:

1 pr of Blue Rams
1 Clown Pleco
9-11 Hyphessobrycon sweglesi or 9-11 Pristella Maxillaris

I cant find any TRUE sucker algae eaters that will attach onto glass for algae that originate in the Llanos plains.

[goalcreas]

What about snails from that region, are there any, snails are good at cleaning glass

[fishman9809]

I have no idea, I haven't seen any that are readily available for aquarium use. Got any ideas?

[goalcreas]

Nope, will have to look,
Try google "South American Snails" then see what comes up and see which are near that region?

[fishman9809]

I found a snail I like, it is Marisa cornuarietis, I am having trouble finding it.

OK, so all these are in my new list and are found in the Llanos plains:

1 pr of Blue Rams
15 Hyphessobrycon sweglesi or 15 Pristella Maxillaris
1 clown pleco
5 Marisa cornuarietis

how that sound? Good? Bad?

[fishman9809]

equip:

[dirrtybirdy]

looks like it coming along well

[goalcreas]

Hey, what are you going to use that wii-mote for in your fish tank.
Nunchuck whatever it is called

[fishman9809]

lol, yup!!!!

gonna hack at plants with it!!!

[fishman9809]

does this sound good?

I want a school of 15 red phantom tetras or x-ray tetras, do you think 30 inches is enough room for them to school nicely?

[Pat7676]

Hack the plants with the nunchuck!!! Looks like is going good keep updating ready to see your tank set up!