Future Project

[Gruntle]

Hi all,
 
I want to do some heavy research on my plan for a re-work of my AR620T tank and would appreciate some advice. This is probably a year or two in the future.
 
Dimensions (width, depth, height): 62x39x72cm (25x15x29")
Volume: 130l
 
Black background
Dark substrate
Heavily planted (including floating plants) with lots of wood, rock and caves.
 
I was thinking of a mixed stock of male Endlers, Harlequin Rasboras and Celestial Pearl Danios (about a dozen each). 
 
If I read Seriously Fish correctly, a temp of 24-26 degrees C (75-78F) would suit all species. pH between 7.0 to 7.5. I'll check my water hardness when I move back home, but I think the species are fairly compatible if the hardness is within the correct range.
 
All species seem to be peaceful and should get along.
 
Judging by the pictures (and the wife is impressed) it should be a very beautiful display.
 
I might consider throwing in a couple of BN Pleco's just because I love their ugly faces. And a golden mystery snail or two because I like them too.
 
Do you have any suggestions?

Oh, and filtration is 550l per hour according to the manufacturer.

 

[TallTree01]

I have the shorter version of this tank. They're very good.
Your planned stocking sounds good too.
A word of caution, don't overload the filter compartments with media or it makes a horrible buzzing noise. I couldn't sleep for days when I first bought it til I figured out what it was. It was awful.

 

[Gruntle]

The only concern I think I have is the flow from the filter. It's quite strong, at the moment I have the duckbill pointed at the middle of the front of the tank but there's still a current. Since the filter is part of the lid, I don't want to replace it, but I don't know how to make it slower.
 
I know what you mean about the buzzing, I used to have a big fish who used to bump the inlet pipe and the whole tank would vibrate until I adjusted it again. Fishy was rehomed and things are quieter now.

 

[TallTree01]

The flow has never caused probs for my fish and you're future fish are strong swimmers as a species. Your tank is bigger too.
It'll give them something to frolick in.

 

[Gruntle]

Welcome to the future! Went visiting shops over the school holidays and found probably the best LFS I've ever been in, excellent advice and staff who are not afraid to tell it like it is (e.g. "don't buy that plant, it's not a true aquatic"). They took my comets and fancies off my hands for store credit, so I bought a lovely Sword for the centre of the tank, and a dozen Harlequin Rasboras (as well as a couple of BN Plecos). The little lads are happy in their new tank, and when I move home they'll get some tank-mates (fingers crossed within the month, renovations are so stressful!).

 

[TallTree01]

Excellent news.
Where are the pictures?

 

[Gruntle]

Coming... Maybe tonight.

 

[GriffinC18]

i would also love to see some pictures!

 

[Gruntle]

Forgive the quality, I'm under the weather and my patience is diminished.

The tank itself, you may see the Harlequins in the top right corner if you imagine hard enough:



And the school, quickly moving so very blurry:

 

[TallTree01]

Great looking harlequins!

 

[Gruntle]

I'm getting happier and happier with my tank. I've given up on the idea of CPD's as nobody seems to carry them here, they're expensive, and tiny (from all reports, never seen one in the flesh so can't really say). My Endlers are breeding happily and beg for attention the moment someone enters the room. The Harlequins are happy. The only problem I'm having is the BN Plecos are turning my Amazon Sword into lace, that's one of the drawbacks I was willing to take a risk on, they might find themselves in my other tank at some point soon.
 
I bought some Elodea a week before Christmas, now it's doubled in length and reaches from one corner, right to the top, and an inch from the other side.  A trim is definitely required, and a friend has just set up a new 6' tank so is going to attempt live plants as "You make it look easy" he said. I might also put another bunch in on the other side of the tank. The kiddies (both human and fish) love it.
 
Next project is to get some black construction paper for the back and tape it on, and possibly reorient the tank so it backs onto another wall (might also help as it's near an external wall at the moment in summer so it gets to 29 degrees most days).
 
 

 

[Gruntle]

Finally installed the black background. Now to keep on top of the Endler population.