125g Tanganyikan Tank (redone)

[FrontosaurusRex]

Today i was bored so i decided to tear down my 125, clean EVERYTHING, and put it all back together. I added some more river rocks, and got rid of some of the Brichardi. I've added Julidochromis Marlieri and Julidochromis Ornatus to the mix and they are alot of fun to watch. The Mpimbwe are getting big and their colors are more vibrant than ever, I'm really glad i was bored today...

Full tank shot


The left side is my favorite. I'm really fond of the bubbles.


Some of the Juli's w/out the flash.


Mpimbwe Frontosa, Daffodil Brichardi, Regular Brichardi


Mpimbwe Frontosa, Gold Compressicep


Altolamprologus Calvus AKA Big Daddy Kane

[Delock]

Nice...

you should have hid the sponge fliter

either add more plants or take out what you have

[FrontosaurusRex]

i tried for 2 hours to hide the sponge filter and every attempt ended in failure. As soon as i get my canisters, i'll take it out. Where should i add plants?

[h0nkzz]

I'd take the fake plants out ... and add a bunch of Giant Vals right where you have your fake plants right now. and maybe one or two more bundle in the background. just my suggestion.

the tank looks awesome the way it is though ! good job !

[myjohnson]

I like the set-up.

+1 on removing the sponge filter.

[wesleydnunder]

The rock piles are a little low. I like the Mexican beach rock. I'd try for some larger pieces mixxed in the piles to get a more random look, with some larger "cave" areas. I'd forego the plants altogether.

Mark

[Navarro]

Take the sponge filter out as soon as you can, Is an eyesore! The look of the tank is very nice but I also have to agree with Mark try adding larger rocks to define your rock sections better.
Regarding the plants you can enhance the look of the tank by adding either the Vallisnerias or perhaps Sagitaria subulata since this other true aquatic is really easy to grow as well.
I suggest moving the rock pile a little more to the front just so you can plant behind the rocks and have a better looking tank. You may have to add little more sand where you are going to plant; any plant likes room for their root system and an occasional root tab to keep them happy; one more advice is to avoid using an air pump if you are using live plants.
Nice selection of fish there man.
Cheers,
Navarro

[gotticgs]

you almost got it

+1 on removing sponge and plants !

[newb]

why avoid the air pump if your growing live plants. What does this cause?

[eklikewhoa]

Gas exchange + being an eyesore.

[rrocket2002]

Beautiful fish man...

I think the tank looks fine. If it was me, I would try to hide the sponge filter with slate or driftwood. Everyone is going to have their own opinion, but the one that counts is yours! If you like it, then its perfect.

Nice tank.

[J-WS6]

Nice fish, but I agree, the sponge filter and fake plants should go.

[TaTeR ToT]

this tank looks awesome, as do the fish:)
but the sponge filter does kinda take away from the overall beauty, but as you said when the canister gets there its gone so i dont think its a big deal.
the fake plants look alright, you cant beat real plants, but those look fine.
as rrocket said, its your opinion that matters most, so if your happy, then its perfect.

[Delock]

Take the sponge filter out as soon as you can, Is an eyesore! The look of the tank is very nice but I also have to agree with Mark try adding larger rocks to define your rock sections better.
Regarding the plants you can enhance the look of the tank by adding either the Vallisnerias or perhaps Sagitaria subulata since this other true aquatic is really easy to grow as well.
I suggest moving the rock pile a little more to the front just so you can plant behind the rocks and have a better looking tank. You may have to add little more sand where you are going to plant; any plant likes room for their root system and an occasional root tab to keep them happy; one more advice is to avoid using an air pump if you are using live plants.
Nice selection of fish there man.
Cheers,
Navarro

Rex,

Not sure if you know the guy above who just post. But he is one of the top notch aquascapers in the country...maybe world. When he speak communities listen.

[FrontosaurusRex]

i agree with everyone that the sponge filter sucks, but it keeps my tank so clean its hard to part with it. I will attempt to pull the plants out for a week or so and see how it looks. I'm always open for suggestions. Thanks everybody for the helpful tips and wonderful comments.