Suggestions for amelioration of my tank.

[Malak]

I'm not that happy with my tank so I'm trying to get a few suggestions here on what I could do with this setup, there it is:

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/5705/1001209vx9.th.jpg (http://img110.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1001209vx9.jpg)

It'll be a cichlid tank, I'd appreciate it a whole lot, thanks.

[Malak]

no one? :(

[rbishop]

I don't care for the mixture of rocks....looks like indecision.

[wataugachicken]

i agree, like you went to the LFS and bought everything they had in three differet styles.

I prefer the grey rocks on the right, and the flat rocks, though i would go with a thinner slate insted of those thick ones. the round white ones should go. i like the driftwood, but it seems like those elements could be mixed together more smoothly instead of having separate sections for each. for example, when you do a rock pile, use layers of round rocks and layers of slate to make bigger caves and raise up the focal point, because everything is very low to the bottom. also, maybe you'd like to add some large hardy plants or plastic plants to increase the diversity of color and draw the eye upwards into the top half of the tank.

[nickmcmechan]

what sort of cichlids

[Mexican Racoon]

Lose the rocks on the left, they just look like they are taking up space without being beneficial to the fish. Maybe use one as a support piece for a cave or something. Also, dont set it up like a family photo. Avoid centering anything, and don't group things or order them by size or anything, that is, if you are going for a natural look. As mentioned above, some well placed plants will change it all.

[Charlie Greiner]

I agree that the arrangement is not ideal but that is what you are wanting to change. Maybe look through the tank of the month photos going back awhile to get some ideas.

Charlie

[MySpace Mike]

Depends on what type of cichlids you plan on getting. CA/SA Cichlid set up would be different than say an African Cichlid set up. For one I say lose some of the rocks, add some plants for a natural effect. Also maybe dome drift wood. My 55g is a Central American Cichlid Tank with Jack Dempseys, but I have a mixture of drift wood, plants, and rocks, then my gravel bed. Personally I prefer to make my tanks as close to their natural habitat in the wild. So again it all depends on what type of cichlids you plan on getting.

[nickmcmechan]

btw i had to look up amelriation or whatever in the dictionary, what was wrong with the word 'improve'?????

[magakitty]

If you are going to use different types of rock, mix them together so it looks like they naturally fell together that way

[jm1212]

id stick with slate. its easy to make plenty of caves out of, and looks pretty cool.

[silentskream]

there's nothing wrong with the rocks you have, but i would definitely suggest mixing them up a bit.

also, maybe make just one big off-center pile of rocks instead of the two separate piles. (if you're worried about them falling you can get an underwater fish-safe epoxy from drsfosterandsmith.com)

[jamthoyoung]

Mix up the rocks. Maybe hide the plumbing with some plants (fake if you got africans) or something.

And put some fish in it!!! :grinyes:

[magakitty]

You can get some decent looking fake plants - just stay away from the bright green ones - YUCK -

[Malak]

Thanks, will work on this as soon as possible, keep the suggestions coming!

[Malak]

Doing a small revamp first, painting the back of the tank black as we speak and I've moved the rocks around. Gonna put the fishes in next wedsneday!

Will post a pic later tonight of what the tank looked like before and now.

I still need to get plants and I want more rocks.

[Malak]

Before:

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/5705/1001209vx9.th.jpg (http://img110.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1001209vx9.jpg)

After:

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/7158/redonetankdk0.th.jpg (http://img444.imageshack.us/my.php?image=redonetankdk0.jpg)

I will add more rocks and some fake plants. I've painted the backgroung with flat black paint and to the human eye, it's simply amazing.

So, any better? Other suggestions?

[Squawkbert]

An improvement!

Further suggestions -

Go for 2 asymmetric groups of rock, mixed as above, left and right of center, leaving a hollow cleft or valley off center. Put the driftwood in or near the valley so that the tip of it is roughly 1/3 of the tank's height from the top and 1/3 of the tank's length from on side or the other.

If you want to know why the roughly 1/3 matters, check APC, search for Aquascaping 101 (http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/index.php?referrerid=15164) or just Google "Phi golden ratio" for a shorter answer.

Also - lay the heater along the bottom or go vertical w/ it in a corner. No reason to look at that.

[Chickleta]

Mix the different rock, set them up and lean them against one another. That'll give you more height, crevices, nooks and crannies, perhaps a little greenery. I get my artificial greenery at places like Hobby Lobby or Michael's Hobbies. You can find unusual plastic greenery and a fraction of the price. Natural plants add a nice touch too, while they last. You have a nice rock collection maybe just re-distribute them an unorganized manner. Enjoy your work in progress!

[wataugachicken]

i think it looks really good.

[Yoemen]

I would suggest making a cave off to the right and then making a structure around the driftwood off to the left.

[jpappy789]

Definitely an improvement!

[Malak]

Thanks, I'll try some of the things mentionned. Keep the suggestions coming!

[mee-mee]

Yeah, the after looks alot better, and you could go with some fake plants like some suggested. and more caves...and the heater can be hidden like Swuawkbert said, no reason to look directly at it...kind of takes the focal point out of the tank...and how about putting the driftwood in the middle or a little of center or in a valley like SB suggested also....and then build the rocks around that, with some caves in mind, and yeah, what kind of cichlids are you going to get...

[Malak]

There we go:

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3284/1001274hj6.th.jpg (http://img293.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1001274hj6.jpg)

I love it now, what do you guys think? :)

[charlie_stubbs]

There we go:

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3284/1001274hj6.th.jpg (http://img293.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1001274hj6.jpg)

I love it now, what do you guys think? :)
looks 10x better than when you started.

[Slappy*McFish]

I agree. Remember, 'less is more' in some cases. Play around with the amount of rocks you currently have in the tank and try to slope the left side of the pile down towards the center of the tank and maybe add 1 or 2 of the rocks to the left side of the tank. Looking good so far.:thumbsup:

[Weezer]

Thank u for moving the heater, i was ready to reach in there and do it, i would move the temp probe out of site, it wont make a difference on the reading, i also think the DW should be alittle more in the middle or maybe get an additional piece to lay across, but it looks very nice now ......:)

[Squawkbert]

Better still, but I find the rocks to be a little too dominant on the right. Anything to diffuse that a little would be good. Redistribute them a bit, so taht they're less "organized" or tie some moss to them so that it will obscure them somewhat.

[Weezer]

Better still, but I find the rocks to be a little too dominant on the right. Anything to diffuse that a little would be good. Redistribute them a bit, so taht they're less "organized" or tie some moss to them so that it will obscure them somewhat.
Good suge...:)

[jpappy789]

I like it!!!

[Mexican Racoon]

Much better. Black paint is the best. Makes everything look so good.

[dieselman]

The after looks great!

[Malak]

Thanks :)
I've got 4 Yellow labs and 4 Clown Afras in it so far plys 3 synos, god these littles buggers are fun to watch.

I got a nitrike spike after I've put them in the tank though, it'd been around 2 for 16 hours, is this because of the new bioload? The tank was fully cycled.

I can't wait to get back tonight and test it again.

[Weezer]

Do some water changes and keep checking the AMMONIA - RITES - RATES, Probably due to bio load, and stirring things up ..........:)

[Malak]

Will do, how much % water change should I do? At this level, probably something around 70%?

[mee-mee]

Better still, but I find the rocks to be a little too dominant on the right. Anything to diffuse that a little would be good. Redistribute them a bit, so taht they're less "organized" or tie some moss to them so that it will obscure them somewhat.

I do agree with SB. Because Yellow Labs are more of rock dwelling cichlids than open swimmers...they are Mbunas (rock dwellers)...maybe take off the top layer of the rocks and make some little openings to the middle or in front of the driftwood...other than that it looks great...alot better than the before...good job on the plants also...we have ours with little blue marbles in them, since cichlids like to uproot plants...but if ya got them secure and out of the way, then there should be no problem....and putting some plants on the rocks isn't a bad idea either...:y220e:

[Weezer]

What are the readings.......

[mee-mee]

Ya did a fantastic job on the tank...

[Malak]

Thanks! :)

Readings: Ammonia went straight to zero after the bioload, nitrates are normal but nitrites is pretty dark, around 1 or 2.

[Weezer]

Rates should be around 20 or lower, Rites as you know should be 0, looks like water changes need to be done, 30% - 40% then recheck after a few hours..Are you using a liquid test kit,,, if not i would recommend getting one, they seem to be more accurate....

[Malak]

Oh I do, the API master kit :)

Will do as soon as I get back from work.

[Malak]

Doing a 75% water change right now.

Ammonia 0
Nitrites 2
Nitrates 20ppm

Hope this will help.

I don't understand, I had enough bacterias to put up with 5ppm of ammonia and bring it down to 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and 10 ppm nitrates and now it's all gone :(

Anyways, I'm in love with my tank and my fishes now, thanks a whole lot for your suggestions, awesome board here :)

[Malak]

Finally!
Got home after work and tested the water:

Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrites 0ppm
Nitrates 5ppm

:y220e:

[Chickleta]

WOW! the transformation is dramatic, nice job it's very tasteful. It catches your eye as there's more going on to view. As your fish grow you might need larger crevices in the round rock but that'll be awhile. My tanks never stays the same, when I change the water I frequently remove the rocks and when they go back it's a different tank, it keeps them curious.