Reply With QuoteInstead of Crinum sp, why not use Echinodorus spp? You can just use the cheap E.bleheri and plant the same way as you are doing. Good also to absorb excess nitrate in future. Cory and pleco tank I supposed.
Setting up a pair of 4 footers, the other one is still work in progress and this one is completed and being cycled right now. Supposed to be devoid of plants but added one to add some color.
Instead of Crinum sp, why not use Echinodorus spp? You can just use the cheap E.bleheri and plant the same way as you are doing. Good also to absorb excess nitrate in future. Cory and pleco tank I supposed.
This is the other WIP tank. Are the plants suitable? Still in pots pending caves and more DW. Is Crinum sp high maintenance?Originally Posted by valice
I have no experience with the plant. But I was just thinking in terms of creating a biotope scape. So Echinodorus sounds more native in a river bed scape. Again, I am assuming it to be Amazonian.
Trying to create a rio xingu river bed scene for my zebras...went to C328 to buy the most exotic looking plants which I hope were Amazonian. Will have to read up a bit more....
Don't really need exotic plants. In fact those in the Amazons are real common. Here's some of the plants found there.
Vallisneria sp., Echinodurus sp., Ceratophyllum sp., Cabomba sp..
But I cannot remember what plants are found along the shore of Rio Xingu.
Artificial Intelligence
So that's what you have been busy with!Great looking pair of tanks, Gecko. I'm sure the zebras will be happy. Abit though on the 2nd tank, the flat slates and the round river rocks seemed abit out of place, but that's just me. Great work, looking forward to seeing them move in.
Something about the water & the fishes that calms me down.
You should come over and fix itSo that's what you have been busy with!
The first tank is running on Pro 3 (2nd hand), lets see if we can pick up cheap demo set 3e at aquarama.
Crinum is an ugly plant imho, somehow balanse looks better if you want that kind of leaves
Nature Aquarium has a box of slate rocks outside their store.
Hi Gecko, I like your first tank setup. However I feel its better to add one or two large powerheads (concealed by driftwoods/ rocks) to simulate the fast horizontal water flow instead of using an angled spray tube, in my opinion a very ugly arrangement.
hmmm thanks, its my first so I guess its still relative, more importantly from same biotope or at least same continent...will pay NA a visit (another first). Thanks again.
For plecos, its better to over filter. The second tank will be filtered by two x Pro II.
Ah... the L046 Amazonia Biotope tank!! (I've renamed the title accordingly). Some good advice from Valice and Michael there.
I would agree that for a tank emulating the rapids of Rio Xingú, the sharp edges of the slates seems out of place. Most rocks and wood would have signs of water erosion and be relatively rounded. The Rio Xingú is slightly from the other Amazonian rivers. The water in this clear river is actually very warm (28-30 °C) and has a high oxygen content. The substrate is predominantly stone and sand. As such, aquatic plants cannot root properly and cannot survive in such strong water currents. Here's a picture from National Geographic to illustrate a similar biotope.
Take note that in the absence of plants, your lighting period/intensity should be reduced accordingly. Otherwise algae will be a problem.
If you are considering plants, most would recommend the likes of Echinodorus, Ceratophyllum, Cabomba, Lemma, Limnobium or Vallisneria, by virtue that these are from South America. Do take note that they are mostly not found in Rio Xingú for the reasons listed above. If you need to know what they look like, just plug the names into Google Image Search and voila!!
In my opinion, the substrate you have is not suitable for plants. It needs to be kept thin to remain clean. If you increase the thickness of the substrate to try to give the plants a chance to root, then the compactness of this fine substrate presents potential problems that include the substrate turning anaerobic and producing hydrogen sulphide gas that is toxic to the fauna. Of couse that does not happen overnight, but why take chances. But if I were to put plants inside, it will be the Echinodorus spp. There are various size and types available and they can be potted creatively with small pebbles and a rock shape pot. The inability to root and the strong current will keep the size managable. The young leaves are also a good diet supplement to any Loricariidae.
If you are looking at keeping the setup a bit more authentic and decorative, Practical Fishkeeping April 2007 (should be available this month) has a good article for you. Heiko Bleher has an article on the Rio Xingú biotope. But that setup is for a 1600 L tank. Still, it's a good reference.
I look forward to seeing regular updates of this tank and it's beautiful inhabitants.
Cheers,
Last edited by benny; 9th May 2007 at 00:02.
I have dwarf cichlids in my tanks! Do you?
Thanks I take your point. Its a trade off between totally aesthetically pleasing and being functional. That tank is a zebra nursery, I will need good filteration and highly oxygenated water, strong under current is not critical.Hi Gecko, I like your first tank setup. However I feel its better to add one or two large powerheads (concealed by driftwoods/ rocks) to simulate the fast horizontal water flow instead of using an angled spray tube, in my opinion a very ugly arrangement.
Wow you planted guys have very exact standards, thanks for all the pointers!
We will take that as a compliment!
Wow you planted guys have very exact standards, thanks for all the pointers!
Thanks Benny, I am getting really good advise here, but I am beginning to feel that having plants in there is just not worth the trouble....that was a great picture from NatGeo!
I still have 2 weeks to tweak the tanks so let's see.
It is.We will take that as a compliment!
Well...you are posting your tank in the Aquascaping section of a planted tank section you know....Wow you planted guys have very exact standards, thanks for all the pointers!
Cheers,
I have dwarf cichlids in my tanks! Do you?
Artificial Intelligence
I also want 2nd hand Pro 3! Heehee..Yeah, let's hope we can get some sweet deals over at Aquarama. I hope I can make it back in time, till then cheerios.You should come over and fix it
The first tank is running on Pro 3 (2nd hand), lets see if we can pick up cheap demo set 3e at aquarama.
Something about the water & the fishes that calms me down.
I will stay in "catfish" next timeWell...you are posting your tank in the Aquascaping section of a planted tank section you know....
Cheers,By the way, I will end up with just these 2 tanks for the forseeable future. Something my wife can handle when I travel
Lets try for the Pro3e, I really like the tidal effect. Whats the time difference?
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