75G Planted For Beginners. Haha.

[FishFanatic04]

lol My hubby just watches his fights, tones me out, then when I bring home new stuff, he can't remember if he agreed or not. half kidding...

I got rid of a couch to fit this tank in the living room. It's all about priorities lol

 

[Biulu]

lol My hubby just watches his fights, tones me out, then when I bring home new stuff, he can't remember if he agreed or not. half kidding...

I got rid of a couch to fit this tank in the living room. It's all about priorities lol

Right! We only have a 2 bedroom apartment with carpeting so I only keep the tanks in the living room. I agreed upon a smaller display tank in order to be able to fit 3 other tanks into a 'lost' corner . So, everybody won...

 

[FishFanatic04]

New stocking plans. We have decided to keep all the apisto's together in the 75g. And leave out the cories. and platies.

Here's the new plan:

6 Angelfish
2 Bristlenose Pleco
6 Apistogramma
15 Kuhli Loaches
20 Harlequin Rasboras. {I like these so much, I could easily have 50} But don't think there's room in the tank lol

DO you think there is a little room for 5 more Rasboras? A huge group would be stunning!

Does anyone have a suggestion for a good plant to put in the center of the wood. I have Java fern there because there was nothing more appropriate in the plant pack, but I'm not a huge fan of the java fern.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Really? I love java ferns, and I think yours looks striking there. But what about an anubia? That would be nice there too.

EDIT: Looked at it again, and by gosh you already have one! Never mind!

One of my favorite plants is my aponogeton crispus, which is flowering now. It's just such a striking, tall plant in my 55g. I plan to get some for the other side.

 

[FishFanatic04]

Maybe when the java fern fills out with more leaves, I think I just want it to look full there. Thanks...I'll try and be patient lol

aponogeton crispus does look nice.

 

[Biulu]

Sorry, I am a metric person, but if your 75 gallon is a standard size it should be 1.20 m long x 0.48 m deep and 0.56 high. I think you can easily keep 25 harlequins in your tank. My tank is 80 cm long and I will be putting 15 espeis in.

Just be patient with the java fern; it will look stunning when it wraps around that wood. I think it is the right leaf shape for your branches.

I have an aponogeton crispus in my tank, at the back. Another plant which looks a bit similar and which I like a lot too is c. balansae. This is more a midground plant though.

I love the stocking plan. If you have around 5 caves scattered over your tank, the apistos will have enough choice to set up territories and lure females to their caves

 

[FishFanatic04]

Thanks, I really appreciate the thoughts. There are 4 terracotta caves, 2 coconut caves and a pvc pipe bend. Should be plenty lol Plus the boundaries from the wood and plants.

I think we are sticking at 20 Harlequins to start Then I can watch the tank and the activity and see if more would be ok. It was tough to give up on getting cories in there. But I am impressed with the apistos so far and want them all together in this tank.

I will give the Java fern a chance ;p Even my hubby says I should calm down and let things settle in awhile before messing with it or thinking too much.


Bristlenoses are pooping nonstop. You can't prepare for it ahead of time, no matter how much you see people say it.

 

[Biulu]

I didn't know about bristlenoses pooping non-stop! Means they are eating well though! One day I hope to have some apistos as well. I would love to have a. nijsseni, but for now I am sticking to my Asian theme!

Tonight I finally finished planting for now (I still need 2 plants) and filled up the tank completely. The espeis are loving it and they are darting as a cloud through the upper part of the tank. Once everything is settled in, I will take a video of them. Would love to see yours too.

On another note; what is the name of the black substrate in your signature picture with the cories? I love it!

 

[FishFanatic04]

I would love to see some pics/vids of your tank!! My new camera is coming tomorrow or Tuesday, so I will be taking a lot of vids and pics! The a. cacatuoides Double reds {i hope} were the best available choice from here. My lfs are not willing to accept that fishless cycles exist, so I am careful with demands. I LOVE the a. nijsseni. Just went and looked. But then again...I looked at about 25 different species of apistogramma and liked all of them lol One good thing I read, is that the cacatuoides do better in a high ph then the others and even breed.

The substrate in my 46g is Caribsea Tahitian Moon Black sand. I am happy with it and the grain size is excellent. It is heavier then my play sand, so easier to clean. But I have to buy root tabs. {I actually bought, and switched to that sand for the albino cories sake. They are STUNNING on black!!}

 

[Biulu]

The substrate in my 46g is Caribsea Tahitian Moon Black sand. I am happy with it and the grain size is excellent. It is heavier then my play sand, so easier to clean. But I have to buy root tabs. {I actually bought, and switched to that sand for the albino cories sake. They are STUNNING on black!!}

That was the one I was looking for but ended up with the Caribsea Voodoo river! According to the Caribsea website though the Voodoo river's grain size is somewhat bigger than the Moon Black sand. I doubt it though as my substrate is all over the place!

 

[FishFanatic04]

They are both a nightmare when planting stem plants And the cambomba will probably need a trim so often, it'll never have time to properly root in.

 

[FishFanatic04]

Drop checker looked like this at the end of the lighting period yesterday...Currently have the lights on for 8 hours, co2 on and off an hour before the lights.

I turned up the bubble rate a half a bubble more per second, I think I am almost at the sweet spot...but as I increase the light time over the next 2 weeks, I may have to adjust it.

 

[gregswimm]

Where did u find a drop checker like that? Haven't seen them anywhere

 

[FishFanatic04]

Ebay

 

[Jen]

Beautiful looking tank there! I have much less in the way of stock, but I keep 20 or 25 harlequins in my 55g tank. They only have a pair of kribs and some garas and cats in there though. They normally stay in a shoal most of the time, but 1 or 2 will venture off on their own. Beautiful fish in a group!