A Simple Apistogramma setup.

[doppelbanddwarf]

This is my simple leaf litter setup for apistos. Just throw in sand, wood, lots of ketapang leaves and some floating plants. Filtration is a simple air-driven sponge filter. Inhabitants are a pair of Apistogramma panduro and some green neon tetras, Paracheirodon simulans. Maintenance is just a 10-20% water change weekly. So far I've this tank running for close to 2 months.

[genes]

Nice! Have that wild factor.
Your fishes will be very pleased.

[joopsg]

I think i see mummy Apistogramma Panduro.

[doppelbanddwarf]

Thanks. The pair of panduro has already spawned once but only 3 fry. Now the female is guarding some eggs in a pit.

[mobile2007]

Great, i simply like this kind of robust setup.

What kind of sand substrate you using?

[doppelbanddwarf]

Only a thin layer of fine sand without any brand from LFS. Saw many biotope style tanks on the net and decided to try one myself.

Edit:
The tank in this thread is one of my favourites:
http://www.forum.apistogramma.com/showthread.php?t=9042
The Apiso sp. "breitbinden" is amazing too.

[Luc Tango]

love the look! your tank looks very tall. what's the dimensions? and ya, that Apisto sp. "breitbinden" really is spectacular.

[exotic_idiot]

Very good example for beginners to follow..
Doesn't the ketapang leaves rots?
How long do you keep it in the water before you change it?

[doppelbanddwarf]

It is a 1x1x1.5ft(height) tank. I would have preferred a cube tank but this was free so no complains.

I just let the ketapang leaves rot. I feel that this makes the tank more natural. They start rotting in about a week or so.

[joopsg]

I like to do this kind of setup.
Less hassle.
How often to you change water?
Or you just top up the water?

[doppelbanddwarf]

I change about 10-20% per week. So far I feel there is no need to siphon the sand. There is much more detritus on the sand now than in the photo, but looks more natural than the clean sand too.

[joopsg]

What are the parameters like?
should smell like tea.

[doppelbanddwarf]

I haven't checked the parameters but the water smells of ketapang leaf and the pair of apisto is breeding so should be ok.

[iwishweallcouldwin]

Very natural setup! Your pair must be very comfortable inside. Always wanted to try a leaf litter setup but I always worry about maintenance issues.

[doppelbanddwarf]

I'm very tempted to turn a low tech planted 2ft tank into this type of setup too. Maybe after my exams and see how this tank goes first.

[joopsg]

Do it step by step.

[iwishweallcouldwin]

I remember valice did a similar setup before, with over filtration. Think that helps with the maintenance?

[exotic_idiot]

I'm very tempted to turn a low tech planted 2ft tank into this type of setup too. Maybe after my exams and see how this tank goes first.

Should be easy.. But have to find place for the inhabitants first..
After all this is a simple Apisto setup

[exotic_idiot]

One issue about this type of setup is that really can't see the fish if they keep hiding and the water too yellowish can't get to see their true colors..
If you want to catch fish also hard once the water stir too much the whole tank turn "cloudy"..

[doppelbanddwarf]

Valice's tank was one of the first few of this type of tank that attracted me to do something like it.

Personally I feel that certain apistos look their best in brownish water, but that is just my personal preference. For this pair of panduros, they are actually quite brave and whenever i'm near the tank they will come out expecting me to feed them. As it is a rather small tank I just have to remove 2 pieces of driftwood and the tank should be almost empty.