Unfinished Project

[steve_b21]

As some of you might recall... i started this 'project' off a few years ago, and never got time to complete it... so now im making time lol.

Tank has been running well with 2 widow Tetra's for over a year now, i just have not had the time to add some silk plants, lighting and deco.

I have a very slim tank which is fitted in a wall.


The depth of the tank is only 5" ,height is 28" and length is 47"


Picture is here...

I cant seem to find silk plants that are large enough.

I was wondering what silk plants, lightin, deco you guys & girls would suggest?

Also, what other fish i could add?

 

[Wills]

Well although its so big the depth limits makes it only 29 gallons which makes things a bit complicated really. Whats the filter like on the tank?

Personally this would be an opportunity to do a big micro fish tank with fish like chilli rasbora, green neon tetra, ember tetra, sparkling gourami. With these fish you could probs get 40 fish max depending on filtration.

With these fish I would just do a few branchy twigs that stretch up through the tank with moss growing on them with a dark sand substrate and a few large pebbles around the base.

Wills

 

[steve_b21]

Well although its so big the depth limits makes it only 29 gallons which makes things a bit complicated really. Whats the filter like on the tank?

Personally this would be an opportunity to do a big micro fish tank with fish like chilli rasbora, green neon tetra, ember tetra, sparkling gourami. With these fish you could probs get 40 fish max depending on filtration.

With these fish I would just do a few branchy twigs that stretch up through the tank with moss growing on them with a dark sand substrate and a few large pebbles around the base.

Wills

Thanks for the advice.


I have a fluval 3 filter... which has just started to make a lot of noise so ive ordered another one.

I always decided against adding real plants etc, has they will create algae and as the tank is in such a position it will make it hard to clean. Am i correct here?

Although i have never thought about the twigs idea before, it would probably look good wit the lights on.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

You could always mix in some compatable algae eaters to your stock plans for a real plant setup. A group of Otos for instance would would well in a "micro" setup. Florida Flagfish is another possibility, although they would be suited to a more boisterous tank, as they can become bullies, just like the Paradise fish.

The real plants would help keep things good for fish in what looks like a tricky access to do water changes. The plants will readily use ammonia and nitrates in the water, especially if you went with medium to fast growers with fertiliser and a carbon dioxide system.

 

[steve_b21]

You could always mix in some compatable algae eaters to your stock plans for a real plant setup. A group of Otos for instance would would well in a "micro" setup. Florida Flagfish is another possibility, although they would be suited to a more boisterous tank, as they can become bullies, just like the Paradise fish.

The real plants would help keep things good for fish in what looks like a tricky access to do water changes. The plants will readily use ammonia and nitrates in the water, especially if you went with medium to fast growers with fertiliser and a carbon dioxide system.

Changing the water is not really a problem to be honest, i have a funnel which suck the water out to the back garden, and i attach it to the tap when re-filling.

I like the idea earlier about just adding some twigs. How about any other ornament type of things i could add to sit at the bottom of the tank? lightin?

 

[Wills]

If anything adding real plants will prevent algae. Algae is present in a tank due to the presence of nutrients and sunlight, like nitrate and if there are no real plants in there to soak them up it will actually cause algae. If you add simple plants like valis it will help break up the chance of algae.

Dont be scared of real plants its not as scary as people make out and plants like giant valis will reach the top of your tank no problems.

What did you think to the fish suggestions? Did you have any idea of fish you wanted?

Wills

 

[steve_b21]

If anything adding real plants will prevent algae. Algae is present in a tank due to the presence of nutrients and sunlight, like nitrate and if there are no real plants in there to soak them up it will actually cause algae. If you add simple plants like valis it will help break up the chance of algae.

Dont be scared of real plants its not as scary as people make out and plants like giant valis will reach the top of your tank no problems.

What did you think to the fish suggestions? Did you have any idea of fish you wanted?

Wills

giant valis , il have to look into that, thanks.

Fish wise... when i first set the tank up over 2 years ago, i put in about 10 neon tetra, 3 widow tetra, and 6 guppies. The neon tetra were soooo tiny, and just ended up dyin, soon followed by the guppies.... a widow tetra died about a year ago... and there are 2 of them left now. I did a lot of research when setting the tank up, but ive been so busy these last few years that ive forgotten what fishes are suitable for the tank. Just want some that are easy to maintain, look good... and get on with the other fish.

 

[Wills]

Ah right okay when you get the new filter make sure you swap all your filter media over. So long as the filter is cycled and you keep up with water changes the fish should stay healthy and live normal lives for the years they should.

Wills

 

[steve_b21]

Ah right okay when you get the new filter make sure you swap all your filter media over. So long as the filter is cycled and you keep up with water changes the fish should stay healthy and live normal lives for the years they should.

Wills

Yeh, i ordered the same replacement ... so im just going to swap the top part over with the motor so will leave the filters intact.

I will tomorrow have a look at giant valis , do a bit of reading on chilli rasbora, green neon tetra, ember tetra, sparkling gourami and get some twigs .... im assumin i can just use any normal twigs from the garden ?

Thanks for every ones help so far, much appreciated.

 

[OldMan47]

I use some Cryptocoryne aponogetifolia in some tanks where I want huge plants for low light. You can see one with some crinkly leaves in this picture going up the back and back down the front of a 29 gallon tank. The bottom of the plant stems can be seen in the center of the picture looking like the base of a grassy plant.

 

[steve_b21]

giant valis - i have been having a read up about these and apparently they grow big, and grow big quick. Will it be simply a case of snippin off how much of the plant i want? obviously access to my tank is limited so dont want to have to keep on looking after the plant every other week.

How about these for the bottom of the tank? ....

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tall-Hair-Grass-Potted-Aquatic-Aquarium-Fish-Plants-/260607245148?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item3cad66fb5c

 

[OldMan47]

Just reading the vendor's description of the plant, it requires intense lighting. I thought we were working on low light plants.

 

[steve_b21]

Just reading the vendor's description of the plant, it requires intense lighting. I thought we were working on low light plants.

I was thinking of getting a large White led light strip to place on the wall on the top of the tank. Will this source of lighting be suitable?

 

[waterdrop]

Well, light is light, and I don't mean to say LEDs can't accomplish things but in this case I don't think that's going to get you in to the giant valis territory. I'd stay more interested in true low-light plants. (Low-light is a "term" in planted tanks and doesn't necessarily mean the tank looks dim or anything.) WD

 

[steve_b21]

So valis and led lighting is a no go?

Reason I have to go for the led lights is due to the lack of space above the tank.