I've wanted to set up a blackwater Amazon biotope tank for awhile. Thought it would be fun to journal it here.
New tank, bare canvas, being checked for leaks. All went well.
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First pieces of driftwood. More will be added as soon as they arrive.
(http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc306/paulinemi/75GalAmazonSetUp/75GallonSetUpJournalDec222012001_zpse5087c88.jpg)
Added some rocks and gravel. While sand would be more appropriate I've ruined too many filters with it.
(http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc306/paulinemi/75GalAmazonSetUp/75GallonSetUpJournalDec222012005_zpsdfa75db0.jpg)
Set some leaf litter in the tank and start adding water.
(http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc306/paulinemi/75GalAmazonSetUp/75GallonSetUpJournalDec222012013_zps844f694d.jpg)
Realized a little late that an outer cement wall is pretty cold. Wrapped the tank so heaters could get the water warm.
(http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc306/paulinemi/75GalAmazonSetUp/75gallonsetupjournal001_zpse9e62866.jpg)
Tank is cycled so a dozen Pristella tetras and a foursome of corydoras loxozonus were added. Both are Orinoco species.
(http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc306/paulinemi/75GalAmazonSetUp/75gallontankjournal0122_zps314e305e.jpg)
There will be Italian vals planted throughout the tank when I get them ordered. In the meantime I stuck some plastic plants in the tank to make it a more comfortable environment for the fish.
The cories were kind of frantic without plant cover.
(http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc306/paulinemi/75GalAmazonSetUp/65gallontankjournal015_zps7ea95497.jpg)
Happier cories coming to the front of the tank after the plastic plants were added.
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Nice job, I like it....I've been wanting to get some oak leaves, and such....someday, I'll try one too....LOL
Nice Job, I would like to try the leaf litter to. I'm just always scared that I would screw it up and kill everything. I also like your Pristella tetras. I had six of them then sold them to a coworker and he managed to kill them all off.
Awwww ... that's too bad about your pristellas. I'm pleasantly surprised to discover that they're not at all shy. Most likely it's a safety in numbers thing. I read that they are shoaling fish that will school when feeling threatened. I've seen both behaviors, the schooling occurred when I added a few more leaves. However when the leaves were in place they immediately let their curiosity get the best of them and checked them out. Really cute little fish.
Nice job Pauline. Great photos too, thanks for sharing!
Dennis
Thanks Dennis.
Today I plan on getting a sheet of insulation to put on the back, bottom and the side of the tank that doesn't show. I'm hoping to get that huge ugly heater out of there. If it can't be removed could it be placed horizontally near the substrate?
Next week the plants get ordered. Then it's going to be time to practice patience while awaiting the successful spawn of Jon's wilds. I currently have 2 wild cross beauties I can add after I'm sure the pristellas and cories are healthy.
One thing I can't decide on....adding a BN pleco. I have them in a couple tanks. Do they have superior pros that outweigh their cons? I do like them though.
Quote from: PaulineMi on January 02, 2013, 08:36:37 AM
I'm hoping to get that huge ugly heater out of there. If it can't be removed could it be placed horizontally near the substrate?
Honestly, in the few tanks that I have that have heaters, that's exactly how I install them. I put mine in like that so that I can do massive water changes and the heater is still submerged. For what it's worth, it's always worked very well for me...
Dennis
I've seen photos with heaters placed low and horizontal. It's good to hear first hand experience. That low horizontal position would work well with angelfish. They choose to spawn on whatever vertical item that strikes their fancy.
If the heater is fully submersible you can put it where ever you want. I have BN's in every tank I have. They do a great job at cleaning.
Another tetra that I like is the Von Rio tetra. There real skittish, and don't look like much in the pet store. But when they get use to there surroundings and there color comes out they are pretty fish. I'm not sure if there the same biotope though.
I looked up the Von Rio terra. Very pretty. I had Hyphessobrycon robertsi which had very similar temperaments. Very skittish but when in the right environment they were beautiful.
Thanks for the heater and BN input. There will be a lot of wood in the tank and my concern is how dirty BNs can be. There's a layer of plant substrate under the gravel. Deep gravel cleaning could be difficult. Decisions, decisions.
The BN's shouldn't disturb the gravel surface much...but they can be poop machines when eating well....but it siphons up real easy off the gravel..
Some additional driftwood was added today. Next week plants will arrive which will add a little color to the tank.
(http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc306/paulinemi/75GalAmazonSetUp/75gallonsetupjournal012_zps8efbd6e1.jpg)
It's looking great Pauline! I am so envious! I have been wanting to do the same thing. You've got a head start on me! lol
It's fun to do. Make sure you show us how you set yours up when you get it started.
Where are the Discus? You need Discus!
When Discus people make a tank like this they use sand rather than gravel. Sand is easy peasy to vacuum. All the poop and left over food stays on top. Water quality is better because stuff doesn't fall into the gravel and rot. They use no plants at all. Just sand and drift wood. The leaves are a good idea. Water in the amazon is chuck full of tannins. Many people put a bag of peat in their water storage container for that tank. The fish like it a lot.
I have two tanks with sand bottoms and have managed to ruin filters with it in both tanks. This tank came with all the gravel for the substrate so I used it...after lots of sanitizing and running the tank with a UV sterilizer.
I have peat in addition to the driftwood and leaf litter. Setting up this tank is the culmination of a year's worth of thinking and planning...all with angels in mind. I will have an empty 55 in another month or so. From what I've read that's too small for discus unless it's a used for a pair....right?
I will ask people who have tanks like this what kind of filtration they use. I always figured that they used canisters but I never really paid attention. Maybe it has to do with the type of sand, too. I don't know, but I will find out. What type of filters did you use?
Good for you for adding the peat. The water will turn tea colored. It's a beautiful, natural look.
The rule of thumb for Discus is one adult per 10 gallons. Your 55 could hold 5 adults. Keep on top of your WC and you could go with 6.
I use Marineland Emperor and Penguin biowheel filters on the sand and gravel tanks in the backroom. My 90 gallon family room tank runs on 2 Eheim. cannisters
Concerning discus...I'm on well water which is the equivalent of liquid rock. I'm not interested in raising fry for a multitude of reasons. My 16 angels, shipped from various breeders, have been raised from dime and quarter size in this water. Once, just to try it, I raised a small spawn. Things are going very well with the water I have even to a point where there's always a pair spawning in one of the tanks. Would major changes in my water be required for discus?
Frequent water changes aren't a problem. Neither is changing substrate and background now that I found out about peppering. It's not being able to use tap water that would be the deal breaker. The thought of watching such a majestic fish wither away in unfavorable conditions hurts my heart.
I know Chicago discus keepers use tap water to keep them, but will use a R/O mix to breed.
The only time RO is necessary is for breeding. The thing about Discus needing soft water is a myth that refuses to die. They do perfect;ly well in hard water.
Hard water is okay... ;D. I may just have a plan for the empty 55 once I complete the 75 and move fish around. ::)
Liz...thanks for the info. I'll be in touch re quality discus sources.
I'll get you fixed up right when you're ready. I know the quality of the fish the various importers bring in. I can't wait for you to do this. It will be as much fun watching you as buying fish for myself. Please don't want caught. I can't help you with them.
No wild caught here. It will be tank bred all the way.
You know what's funny? I'm more excited about the prospect of you doing this than you are. I can't wait until it makes it's way to your front burner.
Me too...it's nice to watch it all come together...