Its A Start

[Genesis]

my tank, id like some advice please, and any comments on how to improve my tank, it's a Jewel Rio 180

Tank Shot:

Left Side:

Middle:

Right:

Fish:
1 Red-Tailed Black Shark
1 Kribensis Cichlid
1 Adult Male Bristlenose Pleco
1 Semi-Adult Antriscus Pleco
1 Pictus Catfish
2 Angel Fish
2 Green Tiger Barbs
3 Dwarf Guoramis
3 Balloon Mollies
4 Paradise Fish
4 Zebra Danios
6 Albino Corydoras

 

[George Farmer]

What would you like to acheive in the long-term? A heavily planted, lush aquascape or a diverse community fish tank with a few plants - or the hardest thing to acheive, a heavily planted, heavily stocked community tank (Jimbooo's the only guy I've seen carry this off successfully long-term).

If you don't want to add any more lighting, CO2 etc. then personally I'd just re-arrange things a little. There's too many things going on at once for me - bogwood, large stones and an articificial root. In my experience it looks more effective if you stick with one type of hardscape material (some experts can get away with two i.e. stones and wood).

The planting seems very sporadic, no real theme. Try to tidy it up a little. Group similar plants. Background plants to the back, foreground to the front etc.

How old are the plants? Are they growing ok?

That's some fish collection - approx 82" I've calculated when all average adult size (that's being quite conservative too).

Sorry if all this appears very negative, I'm just commenting on how I think it could improve.

Regards
George

 

[RedShark]

IMHO i would do away with the artificial root and replace that area with nice looking stem plants like Myrophyllum or something.

 

[Genesis]

rearranged, will post pics later

gettin some new plants tomorrow, there are a few empty gaps now

 

[Genesis]

id like to acheive "lush aquascape" btw

 

[Genesis]

rearranged tank will be getting some grassy/tall plants to cover the back

Front Shot:

Grouped plants together like you said:
Amazon Swords:

Unknown plant:

Fern type plants:

Side View of Tank:

Space to fill:

 

[Genesis]

sorry for bad pics, is this better?

 

[simonbrown403]

Fern type plants:

A good start

.Microsorum pteropus 'Windeløv' wont do to well int the substrate, it would be better atached to a peice of wood

 

[Genesis]

the pic on that site doesnt look like my plant

 

[George Farmer]

[quote name=''genesis' post='1053001' date='Jan 27 2006, 08:38 PM']
the pic on that site doesnt look like my plant
[/quote]
It still is your plant though. It's quite unique so misidentity is very unlikely.

 

[Genesis]

okay, ill attach it to my bogwood

 

[RYO]

Try this link - http/www.birstall.co.uk/cgi-bin/Shop.cgi...e=null&nav=null
Have and idea you are looking at the pic of the Anubias.
As regard to the Pot root thing , put it on its side and tie the ferns to it with cotton, makes a good cave for the bristle nose. The ferns don't do well with the roots buried.
As George said you have a lot of fish for a tank that size (and some large fish too) you will need some serious filtration to keep that bio load under check, maybe you need to look at re-homing a few.
Dont take this the wrong way (we've all done it) just trying to help

 

[Genesis]

i do have serious filtration, lol
ive got the internal jewel filter as standard
and also a £100 Fluval 205 External Filter system

 

[George Farmer]

[quote name=''genesis' post='1053660' date='Jan 28 2006, 10:32 AM']
£100 Fluval 205 External Filter system
[/quote]
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...item=7738820811

I've been looking at a possible replacement for my 204 (although an Eheim or clone are more likely). Surely you didn't pay £100?

How do you rate it? Do they come with a spray bar and what media?

 

[Genesis]

i dont know what it came with, mine was second-hand
no, i didnt pay £100 for it, but the person who bought it did
it came free with my tank

it isnt too good at removing big particles as it has a small grate on the intake, its very good with little bits
i would rate it 7/10 because it doesnt make my water crystal clear (too many larger bits)