75g-90g West African planted setup...

[lljdma06]

Hi Everyone,

I am thinking far ahead to a time when I'll back home in Miami, FL, enjoying the beach, eating good Cuban food, setting up aquariums...

That glorious time cannot come fast enough.

I have a master plan for a large biotope community I'd like to try. Of course the tank would be planted. I'm thinking 75g, but would be willing to go as high as 90g, if that would help the set up better. I prefer rectangle tanks that are longer than taller, as I am a short person and cannot reach over and down to maintain the taller tanks. I am also afraid of heights, in which a taller tank would not help my situation any if I had to climb a ladder to clean it.

I'm going for a Western African biotope, so I would plant it with anubias, African water ferns, Valilisneria, and both the foreground and a giant version of Eleocharis. I would have a few pieces of African driftwood, and a fine gravel substrate, mixed in with good plant stuff, and a few caves. Lighting would be relatively subdued, as most of the plants are not super light hungry, perhaps 2-3 WPG

For fish, I was thinking about a nice-sized school of Congo tetras, and a pair of Kribensis. Most of the sources say that the two are compatible, I just have to make sure I have enough tetras so they don't feel scared. I've kept kribs before, and really enjoyed watching them breed and raise fry. For bottom feeders, I was either thinking of the Feather fin Catfish or the Upside down Catfish. They're both membere of Synodontis, and their profiles in the Forum's fish index were very positive. That they're from Africa as well is a great plus.

What are some opinions on this setup? Any suggestions to make it work better? In theory it sounds like a nice plan, but ya never know....

 

[fish_keeper2]

sounds like a great idea i would love to see pics as u go. sorry i cant help at all though

 

[Synirr]

Sounds like an awesome plan! Would African butterfly fish fit the biotype? If so, I highly recommend them... very cool and interesting fish

 

[SuckerLove86]

Sounds like an awesome plan! Would African butterfly fish fit the biotype? If so, I highly recommend them... very cool and interesting fish

[snapback]898425[/snapback]​

Ditto. They're an amazing fish. Top level, generally keep to themself unless a morsel drifts/swims by. Though, if you get a tank that's more long than tall as you prefer, that leaves less distinction between the swimming levels which might mean some of the other fish end up getting in his way or comfort zone.

 

[lljdma06]

Sounds like an awesome plan!  Would African butterfly fish fit the biotype?  If so, I highly recommend them... very cool and interesting fish 

[snapback]898425[/snapback]​

Ditto. They're an amazing fish. Top level, generally keep to themself unless a morsel drifts/swims by. Though, if you get a tank that's more long than tall as you prefer, that leaves less distinction between the swimming levels which might mean some of the other fish end up getting in his way or comfort zone.

[snapback]898429[/snapback]​

Yes, they are a cool fish, but I ruled them out because I wanted the kribs to breed in the tank, and didn't want tank mates that were gonna freak out. Also, I would want to provide room for these butterfly fish to do their thing, so I would have to get a taller tank and fill it shallow. I don't know if I can handle hearing the occasional thud when a butterfly fish slams agains the glass of the aquarium.

I'm leaning towards the upside down catfish, just because I think they are rather funny. Do you think I could fit more than one breeding pair of kribs? Thanks for the imput.