The behemoth tank

**rek** · 9th Sep 2006, 18:00

great

when insert a big photo?

**ApistoRanch** · 9th Sep 2006, 19:40

I'd still like to see the Apistogramma list of spices. I'll want a few I'll bet that!

**richietay** · 9th Sep 2006, 20:07

also would like to see the entire view of tank though works not completed, perhaps an update of the progress. imagine the amount of different faunas swimming inside.

**mikenas102** · 15th Sep 2006, 15:08

More about this tank here

**Plantbrain** · 15th Sep 2006, 16:07

Originally Posted by Lam_wn

1. Is there base fertillisation?
2. Your arms dont look four feet long, did you plant EVERYTHING with tweezers/forceps/ whatever they're called? Must be very tiring..
3. What is the filtration system used to support such wonderful array of fauna? (I assume the "7ft tall fluidized bed filter"? but is that sufficient for all those fish alone?)

No base fertilization, none is required nor helps.
It's all ADA aqua soil. 62 x 9 liter bags.
Yes, you have to hang inside or else position yourself on wood, rock etc to plant. There are dual biotowers, 5ft H x 12" dia, 4 bag filter, 500w UV's, huge RO system to do water changes daily if need be.

Can those rare species of altums and plecos actually spawn and raise a brood in such display tanks? Or do the purpose of these tanks end at educating the public and inspiring other aquarists?
I do not doubt that the owner must be very dedicated nature lover/conservationist, just wondering IF such set ups, can help in breeding some of the rare species of fish and plants stocked in it.

thanks

I doubt it.
Looks and a happy home is about it.
Too many species in there would eat the fry etc.
Mainly education and display.

This is a prototype for a Zoo display they plan on doing 3 of.

Regards,.
Tom Barr

**Plantbrain** · 11th Oct 2006, 00:30

Here's some newer photo's, the client keeps redoing stuff on me and then I have rework it all over again, still need to add some Erios and downoi to the bare sections of the foreground.

Regards,
Tom Barr

**richietay** · 11th Oct 2006, 01:11

Very nicely done, in fact i like the way 'nanas' tied on the driftwood on the right side. Certainly would like to see how the tank further progress,

**Plantbrain** · 11th Oct 2006, 04:35

I strill have a fair amount left to do but everything is runnign along well, we are going to add some Chiense basalt wall rock in the middle since the client ripped out the wood I had there.

I'm going to have another 100 Erios cins and 50 Downoi added in the foreground, then remove some Brown crypts/Rotala green and replace with Lobelia which is easier to deal with and will look better. I want larger groups and they will happen once the tank grows in and the Anubias have a bit more time, a lot more Bolbitus will appear shortly also.

The growth is now running very well so now it's mainly just time now and a little work.

I'm going to add a large log on the right side as well so that will balance the left.

Sort of like this image with rocks in terms of a design notion:

http://www.adaeuro.com/gallery.asp?g_id=2#

Specifically no# 11.

That, and the above chanes and some time will really put the tank is very good standing in terms of a dramatic tank.

Such large tanks must be seen in person.

Fortunately, thr owner likes to show it off and loves it.
He was concenred about water clarity but once you grow the plants and add enough CO2, the rest is history.

I will also be doing some similar tanks for the LA zoo and some high profile clients coming up.

Lots of work.

Regards,
Tom Barr

**waterone** · 11th Oct 2006, 20:28

you can practically "immerse" yourself in your project. Nice .....

**StanChung** · 11th Oct 2006, 21:03

That's a real behemoth! Can't imagine yet the final result with all this fishes in there. Awesome.

**Plantbrain** · 12th Oct 2006, 11:40

Yes, I'm hoping he'll not add Discus and add 64 altums instead.
That, 1000 Cardinals, 400 Rummy's, 100 coral Red pencils, 100 N espesi, 100 Cory Sterbai, a dozen or so rare plecos, he has some very neat spotted hatchet fish.

There's more work yet to be done and the plants do need to grow in much more to see the design.

Like ADA's giant tank, these need to be seen in person to appreicate.

Regards,
Tom Barr

**BFG** · 12th Oct 2006, 15:16

The setup looks more and more like a flooded forest, kinda similar to an Amazonian biotope. I have always wanted such a setup but they do need a large space, which is limited here.

**Happy Camper** · 12th Oct 2006, 18:46

Wow Tom, amazing setup you have created there, it's looking AWESOME.

Regards
Cameron

**Plantbrain** · 13th Oct 2006, 03:54

I wanted to do a different theme than a flood forest, but not the client

I hate lots of straight vertical lines.

Regards,
Tom Barr

**tcy81** · 13th Oct 2006, 20:10

very big setup. hope to see the picture of the setup soon

**Plantbrain** · 20th Dec 2006, 17:34

Here's an update, 24 Altums, all eating well, 30 Discus. Never got the HC growing well, switching to Utricularia grass.

I'm not going down there for another month or two, I'm redoing an office tank for the same client, he's swapping a 150 gal for 300 gal for the office.
This is not my photo but one the client sent.

Regards,
Tom Barr