2ft tank revamped

**ban_tse** · 19th Mar 2007, 00:26

Hi all,

Finally got down to revamping my tank after 2 years.

Its a low-tech tank, no CO2 (for now), mostly low-light demanding plants.

pics are here:

8/3/2007

10/3/2007

11/3/2007

17/3/2007

Still need to touch up the left and right sides. intenting to fill up the centre depression with Shirui sand (getting leftovers from a friend).

Any ideas/comments from the guys here?

Was thinking of planting blyxa japonica at the corners, but don't know if they can survive without basefert and CO2.

--------------
Tank Dimensions (LxWxH, specify units): 60 x 30 x 30cm

Lighting Intensity(No of Watts) : 28W
Number and type of Lighting (FL/PL/MH) : 2x 14W lamps (6500K)
Age of light bulbs : 1mth
No. of hours your lights are on : 8hrs per day

CO2 Injection Rate (bps) : NIL
Type of CO2 (DIY/Cylinder) : NIL
Method of Injection (e.g. Diffusor/Reactor) : NIL

Liquid fertilisers Used (Product name. E.g. Seachem Flourish) : Nil (occasional Seachem Excel to remove BBA)
Fertilization regime (Frequency and amount per dose) : NIL

Other fertilisers (Product name. E.g. Root Monster) : Root Monster for Crypto Parva

Other additives (Product name. E.g. Seachem Prime) : NIL

Type of Filter (overhead/internal/canister, Product name/model if possible) : 1x Eheim 2211
When was the filter last washed : Never
Filter media used : Ceramic rings, Sera blackpeat filter granulate, filter wool as pre-filter (came with filter)
When was the media last changed : Never, less than half year old
What was changed : NA

Age of setup (i.e. since initial setup or last major re-do ) : 2 years till now, with occasional removal of overgrown plants, addition of new plants

Water change frequency : weekly top-up, monthly 10-15% water change
Amount changed : as above

Water surface movement (None/gentle/turbulent) : none
Circulation (None/gentle/turbulent) : submerged rain bar pointing down to allow fish to swim easier

Tank Temperature : 27-30

Chemical Properties (Fill what you can)
-------------------------------------
KH (dKH): Unknown
GH (dGH): Unknown
pH : approx 4-6, due to use of ADA Malayan Aquasoil
NH4 (ppm): Unknown
NO2 (ppm): Unknown
NO3 (ppm): Unknown
PO4 (ppm): Unknown
Fe (ppm): Unknown

Bioload (Number and type of fish and plants)
Currently:
3 Danio choprae
1 Corydoras hastatus

Intended:
7 Betta uberis
more danio choprae
more danio sp. TW02

Crypto parva
java fern "philippines"
E. tenellus
Windelov java fern
Java fern
moss
some grass like plant at background

**yaya** · 19th Mar 2007, 00:59

Hi bro, nice setup there.. Your setup looks good to rear apistos.

**BFG** · 19th Mar 2007, 15:00

Yeah, a pair of 'show quality' apisto and some small but unique schooling fish as dither for your tank.

**grey_fox** · 19th Mar 2007, 18:52

Looks like a nice home for a pair of apistos. Lots of hiding areas. As for the blyxa question, last time I went low-tech, my blyxas melted away, from a plump blyxa to just a stem.

**|squee|** · 19th Mar 2007, 22:29

Try more Windelov or narrow leaf instead of the blyxa, I find they work better.

**ban_tse** · 19th Mar 2007, 23:15

Originally Posted by |squee|

Try more Windelov or narrow leaf instead of the blyxa, I find they work better.

I was thinking of plants that i could grow in the aquasoil substrate.

If i were to just put java ferns and windelov, i feel it would be a "waste" of the slope i did.

Do you think cryptos could survive in this tank, with just root monster and NO base fert? Any suggestions for low maintenance plants which can be planted?

And no lah... no apistos for this tank. It'll be for dithers and my 7 Betta uberis which i put in this morning.

And i've tried before, apistos and Betta uberis do not get along.

ben

**valice** · 20th Mar 2007, 00:27

The bettas will love the soft and acidic waters too.
Your crypts will survive with the Aquasoil you used.

**Cacatuoides** · 22nd Mar 2007, 13:18

Looks like there's a huge apisto fan club these days!!
I like your piece of wood...lots of java fern and a bit of moss will look great!!

**ban_tse** · 24th Mar 2007, 19:34

Hi all,

added some Crypto. balansae at the rear, and added 10 Danio choprae and 10 Danio sp. TW02

Now just need to fill up the right side and centre a little bit more.

As said, no apistos in this tank. Only Betta uberis, which are hiding most of the time.

Though i do have a mature pair of Apisto eunotus to let go. Do PM me if interested.

ben