The 215g is here...beginning the aquascaping

[SteveCGG]

The tank finally got here   Got it plumbed with an Eheim 2260 and an inline heater.  I am starting the decorating/layout of the rocks, etc. Waiting on some plants and got to get another flat piece for the last section of the back wall..comments anyone?

http://s272.photobucket.com/albums/jj198/hootiefish22/Tank%20Progression/?albumview=slideshow

I want to add peacocks with some mbuna. Should I add the peacocks first?

[Zulaab]

Re: The 215g is here...beginning the aquascaping

The Peacocks are for the most part free swimmers only really using the rocks to hide if necessary.  Mbuna will use the rocks more for territorial etc..  Once you have the tank cycled unless you dont want to cycle and just going to throw fish into it, I would prolly do what you said.. get the peacocks in there first and then add the mbuna's

[SteveCGG]

Re: The 215g is here...beginning the aquascaping

I'd also like some synodontis that don't get too large, bristlenose plecos, and some clown loaches too. Anyone have some they can live without for a reasonble price?

[Delock]

Re: The 215g is here...beginning the aquascaping

Man love the tank....but why driftwood?

Also, I would remove the slate and what look like to be some coral?

[Delock]

Re: The 215g is here...beginning the aquascaping




Who plumbed your tank? Are you only going with a single 2260? And why an undergravel filter?

[SteveCGG]

Re: The 215g is here...beginning the aquascaping

I was told that plecos/catfish need wood to chomp on, plus it was a cool looking piece. The big white rock on the left is a large (60+ lb) piece of holey rock. Almost dropped it into the tank while trying to balance on the ladder, and not scratch the glass  

[Delock]

Re: The 215g is here...beginning the aquascaping

Hmmmm,

I never heard that about wood and plecos.

Sorry for the mistake about the coral......

Also tell me why you have a single undergravel plate?

[SteveCGG]

Re: The 215g is here...beginning the aquascaping

Jason at Aquarium Creations helped me out. He suggested the partial undergravel to help with aerobic bacteria since the Eheim is mostly anaerobic...Also, it is plumbed for a second Eheim for when the bioload gets bigger. I figured one would work for awhile since I don't even have water in the tank yet  

[mrairportjunke]

Re: The 215g is here...beginning the aquascaping

yeah same here never heard that about plecos.  mine dont eat on wood.  they do get he algea off it though.  theyll eat zuccinis.  tank is awesome lookin.  good luck with the aquascape.  i suck a decorating so good luck wit it.

[Delock]

Re: The 215g is here...beginning the aquascaping

Interesting....

You could have went with a layer of sand to avoid that problem. Also, you may want to grab another 2260 and have it on one you add water. This way you will have both filters running and building the bacteria needed.

Also, I notice there is not a quick disconnect for the heater. FYI, I hate inline heaters. I would asked Jason to make a secondary hose (none heater) for backup incase the inline heater goes out.

Not trying to break your spirits...


I'm loaded with cold medicine right now!

[SteveCGG]

Re: The 215g is here...beginning the aquascaping

from planetcatfish.com

Another very important factor in maintaining loricariids is the presence of driftwood in the aquarium. With few exceptions, loricariids need wood in their diet. In fact, the natural diet of the members of the genus Panaque is mainly wood. There are many theories as to why they need wood in their diet, but it appears safe to say that, at a minimum, that wood aids in digestion. Any tank that houses loricariids must have driftwood.

Aside from having wood in the tank, these fish also like a bit of vegetable, particularly the skin of certain vegetables such as cucumber and courgette are eaten with gusto.

Suitable wood can be found in the fish shop, but you can also use wood from the garden, or found on river-banks and shores. Wood should be cleaned properly with boiling water and then soaked for at least 24 hours before it’s placed in the fish-tank. It is not suitable to use wood that has a lot of resin, such as pine and spruce. Better choices are medium to hard woods, such as cherry, apple, birch and beech.

[mrairportjunke]

Re: The 215g is here...beginning the aquascaping

hum interesting.  nice find.  well the skin on veggies i can vouche. mine eat the skin of the zuccinis first then the inside

[eklikewhoa]

Re: The 215g is here...beginning the aquascaping

Can't see the pictures for some reason.

If you plan on stocking with a good amount of cichlids I would add another canister filter.

Petricolas are probably gonna be the smaller cats to put in the tank but they will probably stir up plants. Clown loaches will nibble holes into plants.

As for peacock/mbuna, I would add the peacok first or all of them at one time. Although the mbuna will prefer the rocky areas it will not stop them from terrorizing elsewheres. With all of them really its hit&miss in regards to their aggression.

[mrairportjunke]

Re: The 215g is here...beginning the aquascaping

oh question from me, how does the ugf give better aerobic bacteria?  oxygen is all in the water of a tank that is circulated good right?  so the gravel should need no help right? and how does sand help that.  it sits there just like the gravel.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: The 215g is here...beginning the aquascaping

Gravel at the bottom will not get enough if any circulation without the UGF.

Sand has more surface area when compared by weight to gravel.