New shots... SE Asian and African biotope tanks

Bk718 · Dec 16, 2008

lol thats exactly what i did.. took 2 photos to compare the growth.
Amazing how the right side filled in. Im sure if your busy butt could find some spare time to dive in the tank and replant the grass to the empty spots it would fill in faster (but then again whats the rush?)
I keep on finding these sellers with the Aubertii, but its funny how they always pop out when you dont need the plant.

DrNo · Dec 16, 2008

I hear that.... I keep looking and get ready to place an order only to find I can't even plan on being home within days of the expected delivery :crazy: I'll likely just let the HG spread on its own (seems to working Ok thus far LOL).

Looking at those two frames, I also didn't realize the rotala had filled in so much. I gave the HC a hard trim and will do so often as that new growth always looks more attractive.

Rbishop · Dec 16, 2008

Great tanks!!

DrNo · Dec 17, 2008

Thanks for the compliment Bob and for following the thread!

Damodred · Dec 17, 2008

Whoa, that's a really great tank! Looks very natural.

DrNo · Dec 17, 2008

Damodred said:
Whoa, that's a really great tank! Looks very natural.

Thanks... I'm assuming you mean the SE Asian biotope

I like the Lake Tanganyika setup as well, but its hard to compete with a planted tank for 'wow' effect.

Damodred · Dec 17, 2008

DrVader said:
Thanks... I'm assuming you mean the SE Asian biotope I like the Lake Tanganyika setup as well, but its hard to compete with a planted tank for 'wow' effect.

I was indeed, but I really love the rocks in your Tang setup!

DrNo · Jan 5, 2009

Hope everyone is having a great start to the New Year.

I finally have some "time" to work on those to-dos for the tanks so I'm on the hunt for a few clumps of blyxa aubertii for the SE Asian tank. I am also hitting the local breeder for those long-delayed schooling cyps for the Lake Tanganyika 90 gallon tall. A school of 6-7 leptosomas are the plan though I won't know the exact congif. until I see the stock on hand.

Cyprichromis leptosoma Bulu Point orange tail

Cyprichromis leptosoma Kitumba

This will make the total stock for the Lake tang tank as follows:

1) Cuvier's bichir (Senegalus senegalus).... bending the biotope just a bit to accomodate this old-timer and family stalwart

2) 3 Gold head comps (Altolamprologus compressiceps goldhead)

3) ~7 Cyps (Cyprichromis leptosoma Kitumba and Bulu Point)

The cyps should add much needed visual interest and color mid-tank. The bichir is very active and crusies the entire depth of the tank; I'm really hoping he behaves with these new cyps. To his credit, he has thankfully left the comps alone. Hopefully the next update will include photos.

DrNo · Jan 23, 2009

Finally, the update. I managed to take a few quick shots to get in a post this evening but will try for some better clarity tomorrow.

Big changes in the 125 gallon...

The Asian biotope tank's Hygro c. has been completely removed (time for something different). New plantings include Blyxa japonica, Corkscrew vals, and assorted Crinum sp. (African with Asian distribution). I really like how this came together and I think the overall look/feel of the tank is improved with better overall balance/texture:

The tank also has new stock of upped assorted danio sp. and 2 small true Siamese Algae eaters (SAE's). For those who have never owned them, they are very intersting fish with odd mannerisms. Seven ghost shrimp patrol the field of hair grass and have avoided becoming shrimp cocktail (thus far).

More changes...

In addition to the replant, I did some major upgrades on the plumbing. I had an independent loop for the CO2 reactor and the UV sterilizer using an in-tank submersible pump that spanned from one side of the tank to the other. I elected to re-plumb the loop on tank left using a new Fluval 205 filter unit to power the loop. As an added bonus, I gained an additional 40 gph of filtration (on top of the already existing FX5). I am very happy with this new set-up, and have a new gamma UV sterilizer on order from DFS. The FX5 and its intake/output tubing was relocated to tank corner right for a cleaner look. Not having to look at the pump in the tank any longer made all of the work worthwhile. While I was at it, upped the CO2 tank size from 5 pony to to 20 lb. tank = less trips to the Airgas store for refill.