Kenneth's ADA Scape "Biotope"

**blue33** · 21st Jun 2008, 00:42

Originally Posted by StanChung

I think bolbitis is out of the question for a small tank like yours. Nice try and would top up an inch more of soil. Remove the water before you do this and top up water slowly with something to prevent direct contact with soil.

I think your best bet are mosses.

Yup! For this scape, moss fit the best! Cant be wrong!

**Panut** · 28th Jun 2008, 03:09

Finally.. Updates

Did a major rescape.. Not a complete one though.. Will be doing changes when i have more time.. But enough talk. Here are the pictures.. Enjoy

A little "river" concept..

Cheers,

**Panut** · 28th Jun 2008, 03:14

What plants should i add? Presently only have flame moss and that petite anubias..
Needle leave Java ferns? Bolbitis?
hmmm....

**Panut** · 28th Jun 2008, 03:20

Dropped by Biotope after the rescape..

... And bought a pair of Apistogramma Elizabethae "Tucano Red". Swallowed the Alpha Male with the best finnage and colour

...

Oh my. Apistos are hard to shoot! They are always moving about, and im using a HANDPHONE camera with a HUMONGOUS shuttle LAGG

Hence, no pictures

Anyone volunteer to help me take pictures with your camera?

**Panut** · 28th Jun 2008, 03:36

To make up for the disappointment, here are some casual pictures of the other tankmates.. Galaxy Rasboras, Ruby loach, Ottos, and 1 shrimp - With my lousy HP camera..

Three musketeers

Cuteeeeee

[This is a malayan shrimp, NOT a cherry chrimp, guess it stole some of the spirulina i feed my fishes

]

Head of the dragon

Ruby loach "super red" ?

Oh what a lucky shot. But, the picture is blur, and the fish in question is not flaring, still under stress..
This pair is showing lots of potential.. Believe it will be MUCH better with a few weeks of loving and tender care

Here is it anyway..

Many natural crevices, holes, and "caves", created from my scape

Wonderful place for my galaxies and Elizabethae to play "hide and seek"

Cheers,

**Panut** · 28th Jun 2008, 03:40

Im worried my apisto will jump out.. anyone got a spare piece of glass cover?
Or if you are free accompany me to go make one

Anyone has experience with Apistos jumping out?

**Verminator** · 28th Jun 2008, 06:20

Simpicity looks stunning when done correctly. Well done. I admit a few other plants will look good, but if i were you i'd refrain from adding too many. Don't cram them in. Selectively chosen and placed plants will look fabulous!

Apisto's 'can' jump, that is my knowledge of them. I personally havnt seen or heard of anyone i know having them jump out. Don't know any other peoples experiences of them here...

**Jervis** · 28th Jun 2008, 08:44

Heard you bought a super expensive pair of Apistogramma... well done

Quickly get a cover before...

**Fei Miao** · 28th Jun 2008, 09:13

Originally Posted by magic4lifez

I think a bigger bunch of needle leaves java on the fork on the wood and some L. repens on the back would help to balance out the space, moss in the mid ground with petite anubias adds to the texture and colours. All these are easy plants.

I find once you have more plants, it's less likely the apistos will jump. Fish jump when they feels in-secure or frighten by sudden switching off of lights.

**illumnae** · 28th Jun 2008, 10:31

like i mentioned, you actually didn't get the alpha male, the other one had better colour and finnage

looks like your plans for a biotope tank have been shelved...you've got plants from africa and fish from both asia and south america

**StanChung** · 28th Jun 2008, 10:34

It will grow into one in time given it's own 'palace' LOL.

**Panut** · 28th Jun 2008, 11:10

Originally Posted by Fei Miao

I think a bigger bunch of needle leaves java on the fork on the wood and some L. repens on the back would help to balance out the space, moss in the mid ground with petite anubias adds to the texture and colours. All these are easy plants.

I find once you have more plants, it's less likely the apistos will jump. Fish jump when they feels in-secure or frighten by sudden switching off of lights.

im thinking of letting bunches of mini riccia float at the top of the tank.. if you know what i mean...
ehhhehehehe.. (my apisto can't jump out already

)

anyone willing so spare or sell some Needle leave Java ferns? or trade with some anubias?

**Panut** · 28th Jun 2008, 11:13

Thank you verminator, your words are always so kind. The only problem i had was taking out the wood, cos the sand was inert(hope i got the word right), and released many bubbles(some poisoness gas).. So far nothing happened, will check for updates later..

Do Elizabethae like bright lights?

Originally Posted by Verminator

Simpicity looks stunning when done correctly. Well done. I admit a few other plants will look good, but if i were you i'd refrain from adding too many. Don't cram them in. Selectively chosen and placed plants will look fabulous!

Apisto's 'can' jump, that is my knowledge of them. I personally havnt seen or heard of anyone i know having them jump out. Don't know any other peoples experiences of them here...

**StanChung** · 28th Jun 2008, 15:23

Kenneth, biotope is not the right word to describe your tank although it's a nice tank. Biotope specifically means region of a habitat associated with a particular community. I understand that you have it in inverted commas "biotope" but this could be misleading.

Your fishes are from South America, the nana petite's from Africa?, the wood from Malaysia, tank from Japan[made in Germany] and...oops, I'm sorry for being a pain...LOL.

Ok carry on-please ignore...nice setup you have.

A. elizabethae no less! Impressive among other very nice things. [just seriously jealous]

**Panut** · 2nd Jul 2008, 21:25

Failed miserably to catch a picture of him when he is flaring. My camera phone, with a 5 second Lag certainly isn't a match for these agile and docile pair

Nevertheless, here are some blurry pictures. Seems like he has alot of potential. Has red everywhere - cheeks, tail, anal fin.. etc etc. Any pros can give some comments?

cheers,

**Jervis** · 2nd Jul 2008, 22:34

Looking good! Planning to add more plants?

**Panut** · 2nd Jul 2008, 22:44

Originally Posted by Jervis

Looking good! Planning to add more plants?

Yes, many plants are on the way. Bolbitis, Needle leaf ferns, weeping moss, fissidens, flame moss.

i also currently have mini riccia floating at the top of the tank already

MINI riccia, NOT normal riccia

Anyone can give some suggestions?

cheers,