My Apistogramma tank set-up

**wongzn** · 23rd Feb 2012, 12:34

sorry for my ignorance, im new around here but is GC = Golden Classic Aquarium at tampines?

**Lucrado** · 23rd Feb 2012, 12:59

Hey! It has happened to me before too (:
I observed such behaviour before,particularly from my wild apistos .

**mordrake** · 23rd Feb 2012, 17:10

Originally Posted by wongzn

sorry for my ignorance, im new around here but is GC = Golden Classic Aquarium at tampines?

Greenchapter at clementi.

**sen_jie** · 27th Feb 2012, 15:18

Hi guys, i am planning a big project for my apistogramma

looking at 2 tier 3ft tank

top tier is 3ft x 1.5ft x 1.5ft looking to keep angelfish together with red line torpedo and apistogramma.

Plan to have heavy woodscaping and very low tech plants such as ferns and moss. (Do not intend to have Co2 etc) Looking at Sudo fine river sand as base

Currently i have afew question in mind

1)Is 6mm glass good enough for a 3ft tank? or should i go for 8mm?
2)Whats the difference between a brace and braceless tank?
3)Recommanded filter system?

Bottom tier i am looking at the same 3ft X 1.5ft X1.5ft However i will partition it into 3 collumn such that each collumn is 1ft x 1.5ft x1.5ft. this will be used to keep lovy dovy apistogramma pairs. ADA soil will be used and sponge filter powered by air pump.

in this case,

Question

1) Can the partitioned divider (which will be siliconed on by the tank maker) act as the brace?
2) recommanded glass thickness?
3) Should i lower the height to 16inch instead of 18inch so that the compartment will not look too weird?
4) Should use black oyama as background?
5) Recommanded lighting system?

Last but not least, the rack to house the 2 tanks. SHould i go with 1inch x 1inch? or 1.5inch by 1.5inch (is it overkill?)

**alfredliow316** · 28th Feb 2012, 19:05

Originally Posted by sen_jie

To bro marle, you still rememberd about the paciquamis huh haha those were the lucky days i guess... To tell you the truth, although i managed to spawn pacq, bit, mendezi, eliz etc. But up to today i still unable to spawn agassizi!!! boo hoo to me!

<------ U very good friend with Jitticus? hahahaha....cannot spawn agassizi

**alfredliow316** · 28th Feb 2012, 19:09

Originally Posted by sen_jie

Bingo. that is what i felt too. When i place my fish at ard 6.5 range, fish are active and flaring. When i place then in low PH, they turn skittish and do not even dare to come out to snatch for food.. BUT they spawn

Maybe they were not happy at such low pH, or they thought they were 'dying' or gonna die soon? that's why they need to produce offsprings?

**alfredliow316** · 28th Feb 2012, 19:18

Originally Posted by sen_jie

Hi guys, i am planning a big project for my apistogramma

looking at 2 tier 3ft tank

top tier is 3ft x 1.5ft x 1.5ft looking to keep angelfish together with red line torpedo and apistogramma.

Plan to have heavy woodscaping and very low tech plants such as ferns and moss. (Do not intend to have Co2 etc) Looking at Sudo fine river sand as base

Currently i have afew question in mind

1)Is 6mm glass good enough for a 3ft tank? or should i go for 8mm?
2)Whats the difference between a brace and braceless tank?
3)Recommanded filter system?

Bottom tier i am looking at the same 3ft X 1.5ft X1.5ft However i will partition it into 3 collumn such that each collumn is 1ft x 1.5ft x1.5ft. this will be used to keep lovy dovy apistogramma pairs. ADA soil will be used and sponge filter powered by air pump.

in this case,

Question

1) Can the partitioned divider (which will be siliconed on by the tank maker) act as the brace?
2) recommanded glass thickness?
3) Should i lower the height to 16inch instead of 18inch so that the compartment will not look too weird?
4) Should use black oyama as background?
5) Recommanded lighting system?

Last but not least, the rack to house the 2 tanks. SHould i go with 1inch x 1inch? or 1.5inch by 1.5inch (is it overkill?)

3ft tank - 6mm WITH brace is sufficient. If without brace, you better find a very good craftman and high quality glass. I have tried 8mm for 3ft WITHOUT braces and it bowed.
Filtration - canister with rain bar to reduce the turbulence?

for the tank in the bottom, the 2 pieces of glass partition are holding the main piece together. In other words, they do function like 'braces'. Again, 6mm would do (personal preference, I have 2 3ft tanks with similar design) .

**Luc Tango** · 28th Feb 2012, 20:17

Agree with alfred, 6mm with brace is good enough for 3 feet. mine is 8mm full braced. i am just trying to play safe as previously i had a 6mm 3 feet braceless, it bowed and i can't sleep peacefully at all. of course, tanks that are braced will limit the way you can put your hang-on equipment. (filter hose etc.)

filtration wise, perhaps a eheim 2215 or equivalent? depends on your scape as well. if you really going to dump a crap load of wood in, i suggest getting 2 2213s instead.

for the bottom tank, i think 18 inch wouldn't affect the look.

think you should have black oyama for both tanks or perhaps some 3D background. 1" x 1" should be good enough.

**sen_jie** · 29th Feb 2012, 11:13

Originally Posted by alfredliow316

Maybe they were not happy at such low pH, or they thought they were 'dying' or gonna die soon? that's why they need to produce offsprings?

Hum.. that is a need perspective which i have never thought before...... Interesting!

**valcrow** · 1st Mar 2012, 19:15

Wah bro...planning to keep altums ??��

**sen_jie** · 2nd Mar 2012, 08:22

Thanks Luc,

will be meeting with tank maker N30 over the weekends to discuss.. most likely going with a 8mm brace tank for peace of mind

yo bro valcrow, neh not going for altum. tank size not big enough for them. looking at peruvian angels instead

**Luc Tango** · 2nd Mar 2012, 12:58

you are welcome. by the way, ever considered 3x2x1.5 (ht) instead? you can have more space to scape, more space for fish and makes the tank look deep.