1.60m South American tank

[Gert]

After working for some months on my new project,I can say it's almost finished.
The tank has a water level of 35cm but the tank is 50cm high. The reason is because I want to keep the Copella arnoldi in this tank together with some dwafcichlids and some Loricariidae. The reason why the water level stands on 35cm is because above water I want let Philodendron sp. or Syngonium sp. grow to let the Copella's show their natural behaviour of spawning. Underwater I used a lot of wood and some plants. The plants that I used are:
4 Echinodorus radicans
some Eichhornia diversifolia
6 Echinodorus parviflora tropica
2 Hydrocleis nymphoides

The tank has two filters on it and a external heater. I used two 50W GU10 halogen lights above the tank and I will ad one or two more 25W GU10 halogen to create some light for the Philodendron or Syngonium.

Fish that I want to let swim in this tank are:
2m 5f Dicrossus maculatus (Already got three)
2m 6f Copella arnoldi
25 Nannostomus unifasciatus
6 Hypoptopoma thoracatum (already got three)
4 Hemiloricaria teffeana or sp. Amazonia
few Taeniacara candidi

[hmvirus]

Very nice tank here

[dexterng]

Very impressive!

[stormhawk]

Amazing tank as usual Gert. I love the huge driftwood in the centre. Nice selection of fishes, especially the Copella. Perhaps you can get some Corynopoma riisei as additional fishes?

Seeing how your fish liked the sand substrate in your earlier tank, I re-scaped my 1.2m tank to utilise sand along with the GEX soil substrate. Now my Corydoras spend more time out in the open.

[Gert]

Thanks. I just transferred the Dicrossus maculatus and Hypoptopoma sp. in this tank. The Hypoptopoma went straight to a piece of wood. The Dicrossus are now exploring the tank.

The Corynopoma riisei looks great. But I think a group of 25 Nannostomus unifasciatus will look beautiful between the other fishes.

I've kept Corydoras always on a sand substrate and seen them putting their whole head in the sand a looking for food. A trick to get them more dabbling in the sand, is to put some food just under the sand. The Corydoras will be dabbling like crazy to find the food.

[limz_777]

do take some video of copella if they starts to breed , been looking for them but no availability here , are they rare as well in your country ?

[Gert]

They are not rare in my country, I know people who have them in their tanks.
Not every lfs got the Copella's but some lfs will order them special for customers.
I will make a video when the start to breed.

[Gert]

[stormhawk]

Looking great as usual Gert. Your Dicrossus female is definitely ready to spawn.

[Gert]

Yesterday I bought four Sturisoma festivum. Here are some pictures taken after let them in my tank:

[stormhawk]

Nice specimens Gert. I have a Red Lizard in my 4ft tank and it's a delight to watch.

[barmby]

Gert, I am pitching a tent here to check out your tank update. The tank is very natural and pleasing to the eyes.. It must be the color!!!

[Gert]

Thanks! If I compare it with my other tank that has fluorescent tubes above it, then this tank looks more natural. It's definitely the colour that the light are giving. It's also giving a nice glimmering in the water. Here are some more pictures I made last evening:

[Gert]

[Gert]

[Gert]

Here is a new update:

The Sturisoma's had eggs a week ago and about twenty fry were swimming in the tank. unfortunately I can't see how many are still alive because the are all hidden between the pieces of wood. Here are some pictures of the eggs and some fry:








I also introduced 7 Corydoras aeneus in this tank.






And some pictures I made recently:

[Unitedgyc]

this is so beautiful... is this considered a biotope aquarium??? very amazing and give us a very natural feel!!! good job!

[Gert]

Thanks, The setup that I made was indeed a attempt to get close to a natural look.

[Leon]

WOW!!! such Commitment!!! can only dream of doing something like that!!! Cheers

[barmby]

The nature look really help. Its a success! I saw babies..