Dragon Forest II (Arowana Planted) Setup

[vinz]

Update 16 Sep 2014: The tank "fully" planted is here

Finally have my own place again and time to set up my Dragon Forest II.

Many years ago, I went on an unusual (back then) journey of setting up a planted tank for arowana. Unfortunately, my aro died a few years later after a major overhaul of the tank. Due to circumstances then, it was not feasible for me to get a new fish, hence the tank was de-commed. Photos of old tank here: http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...age-intensive)

The progress is slow-going, and will continue to be slow due to many other commitments. I'll update whenever there is progress.

Just completed the rock placement. They are not meant to be focal point, but just a separator for soil and decorative sand. Also purposely kept low to allow for swimming space above. The are old rocks that used to be in my Tanganyikan Cichlid tank (also de-commed).

[bryan]

Hmm.. needs water.

[vinz]

Thanks for the tip.

[bryan]

The rock bank looks to be just nice for some moss or buceps.

[diazman]

Ahahaha. The boss is back! Setting up camp here

[marle]

welcome back to aquascaping~

Respect to those dealing with this size tank.

[Shadow]

not big enough, schooling arowana look nicer

[limz_777]

decided on red or gold ?

[vinz]

Red this time.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[felix_fx2]

Vinz, 6 feet?

[leonard6july]

Camping………..

[vinz]

The rock bank looks to be just nice for some moss or buceps.

That's the the plan.

Ahahaha. The boss is back! Setting up camp here

Camping………..

Prepare for a long camp.

Vinz, 6 feet?

Yep. Wish I have space/budget/time for bigger though.

not big enough, schooling arowana look nicer

LOL... you try first, then say.

welcome back to aquascaping~

Respect to those dealing with this size tank.

Thanks. Its good to be back.

[BFG]

How many arowana this time, 3, 5?





Welcome back!

[bennyc]

6ft aro planted tank. No choice but to camp here.
Welcome back.

[Riva Pugar Hanangun]

Hello mr. vins..
I want to setup aquascape for arowana.. (damn..I really love this fish )
but I have several problem. Such as:
- Algae eater that compatible with arowana (CAE, SAE, otto & Shrimps totally will be snack my aro )
- Minimum tank size required
- Chemical for plant that not dangerous for Arowana

Many thank's for your attention..

[wongce]

9 arowanas will be nice...9 dragons.....haha camping here for new pictures

[vinz]

not big enough, schooling arowana look nicer

How many arowana this time, 3, 5?





Welcome back!

9 arowanas will be nice...9 dragons.....haha camping here for new pictures

It'll be nice to have arowana comm tank, but I can't afford a tank big enough... or that many arowanas.

[vinz]

This should be interesting! i wonder what kinda setup ur going for, high tech co2 & lighting? i think it would cost quiet a bit though just the lighting and substrate anyways i wish u good luck! hope it turns out like the com tank in katong 112 Attachment 42450

Yep, I'll be using CO2, but with moderate lighting.

[vinz]

Hello mr. vins..
I want to setup aquascape for arowana.. (damn..I really love this fish )
but I have several problem. Such as:
- Algae eater that compatible with arowana (CAE, SAE, otto & Shrimps totally will be snack my aro )
- Minimum tank size required
- Chemical for plant that not dangerous for Arowana

Many thank's for your attention..

From my previous experience:

• No Otos (or any small fish with spines, such as corydoras, etc). My previous arowana tried eating one. It got stuck in its throat, but fortunately it managed to "cough" it out.
• No shrimps... they never survive in my previous arowana tank. I never saw it eat them, but they usually completely disappear within days and too few corpses can be found. It was a reasonably healthy tank, so 100% die off does not seem logical. Even so, how come so much less corpses? At one point I introduced 100 or so Malayan shrimp... all gone within 2 days.
• Algae crew has to be fast and agile fishes that do not "hang around" open areas like Otos. I found that SAEs survive quite well.
• Any fish you put in has to be fast and agile, preferably not top/surface dwellers. (I had SAEs and Tiger Barbs in my previous arowana planted tank)
• Snails with round shells (i.e. no spiky/cone shells) would be your other algae crew.
• Loaches or other snail eaters to control the small/baby snail population.
• Lush planting, mostly medium height plants for other fishes to hide. In my experience, the small fishes instinctively stay near or among the plants if the arowana is swimming about. Once it goes to rest, they will come out further.
• Minimise tall plants to maximise the upper swimming space.
• I never fed the other fishes, they were suppose to eat algae, pests (worms, planaria) and scraps from that the arowana missed.
• My previous arowana was fed chunks of market prawns (prawns sold at market for human consumption). I did not give live food to minimise it associating the algae crew as food. My new arowana might be trained to eat pellets. Have to see how that goes when it gets in this tank.
• Personally, I feel arowanas should be kept in a tank 5'x2'x2' or bigger. For planted arowana tank, at least 6'x2'x2'. Best if the width can be 2.5'.
• Do not overfeed the arowana, so it won't grow too fast, too big.
• The standard fertilisers are ok for the arowana. The only fertiliser I would be VERY VERY careful with is Seachem Excel or similar Carbon supplements from other brands. Many hobbyists have reported that overdose kills shrimps. Arowanas have primitive livers and I am not willing to risk my fish on this.
• The other chemicals to be careful with are medication. There are a few brands that now sell medication for Arowanas. I suspect they are just standard fish medications, but maybe less concentrated. Should be ok to use, provided you follow the dosage exactly.

Search AQ for my other posts on Arowana Planted Tanks. I think I answered some questions before.

[Riva Pugar Hanangun]

From my previous experience:

• No Otos (or any small fish with spines, such as corydoras, etc). My previous arowana tried eating one. It got stuck in its throat, but fortunately it managed to "cough" it out.
• No shrimps... they never survive in my previous arowana tank. I never saw it eat them, but they usually completely disappear within days and too few corpses can be found. It was a reasonably healthy tank, so 100% die off does not seem logical. Even so, how come so much less corpses? At one point I introduced 100 or so Malayan shrimp... all gone within 2 days.
• Algae crew has to be fast and agile fishes that do not "hang around" open areas like Otos. I found that SAEs survive quite well.
• Any fish you put in has to be fast and agile, preferably not top/surface dwellers. (I had SAEs and Tiger Barbs in my previous arowana planted tank)
• Snails with round shells (i.e. no spiky/cone shells) would be your other algae crew.
• Loaches or other snail eaters to control the small/baby snail population.
• Lush planting, mostly medium height plants for other fishes to hide. In my experience, the small fishes instinctively stay near or among the plants if the arowana is swimming about. Once it goes to rest, they will come out further.
• Minimise tall plants to maximise the upper swimming space.
• I never fed the other fishes, they were suppose to eat algae, pests (worms, planaria) and scraps from that the arowana missed.
• My previous arowana was fed chunks of market prawns (prawns sold at market for human consumption). I did not give live food to minimise it associating the algae crew as food. My new arowana might be trained to eat pellets. Have to see how that goes when it gets in this tank.
• Personally, I feel arowanas should be kept in a tank 5'x2'x2' or bigger. For planted arowana tank, at least 6'x2'x2'. Best if the width can be 2.5'.
• Do not overfeed the arowana, so it won't grow too fast, too big.
• The standard fertilisers are ok for the arowana. The only fertiliser I would be VERY VERY careful with is Seachem Excel or similar Carbon supplements from other brands. Many hobbyists have reported that overdose kills shrimps. Arowanas have primitive livers and I am not willing to risk my fish on this.
• The other chemicals to be careful with are medication. There are a few brands that now sell medication for Arowanas. I suspect they are just standard fish medications, but maybe less concentrated. Should be ok to use, provided you follow the dosage exactly.

Search AQ for my other posts on Arowana Planted Tanks. I think I answered some questions before.

Many thank's mr. vins.. it's very helpful...
This is complete answer that I ever found . Awesome!

- SAE not eaten by arowana? or it have specific size in order not to be eaten?
- How about horn snail or malayan trumpet snail (which eat planaria)?
- How about liquid carbon? it's save for arowana (such as Azoo Carbon Liquid or anything like that)?
- How about lighting for tanning color of aro scales? (I using low light plant type)

Yes mr. vins I already read your other posts & it's very help me.. (many thank's again ).
I used lowtech & low maintenance planted tank for my aro later..