Apistogramma tank

Ok, so that Liaquat bugger has made my MTS totally flare up. He has got hold of some new Apisto species and I am getting 4 beautiful pairs. 2 Pairs of Apistogramma sp Inka 50 as well as 2 pairs of Apistogramma elizabethae.

Apistos are my favorite fresh water fish. And nothing has changed in the 2 years I haven't kept them. But now with these 2 species coming, I am extremely happy!!

So this is the new tank.

It's 1000mm x 500mm x 600mm (H)

It's got a sump and the total system is about 350 - 400L. Should be nice and stable for some difficult species of Apistos.

Also, this tank has Aquasoil as a Substrate. It should help to keep the water nice and soft.

I will plant the tank as soon as I get the new regs. Which should arrive just before the fish. So I am leaving the tank to cycle for a few weeks. Let it do it's thing.

I'll be using my 2 x T8 lights and I'm getting 2 x 39 watt T5's as well. I might go with 4 x T5's. We will see...

I'm using A lot of stuff in the filter. Bioballs, about 4 kilos of Ceramic rings, Volcanic rock to buffer the PH a bit and Purigen too...

Anyway, onto the pics!

This is the scape. I will add some coconut caves as well. When I add plants, I will take more pics.



And this is the current sump layout. Don't be fooled by the small media slots. They are 500mm wide. There is a lot of filtration media in there.



Now bring on my apistos!!

 

really posh @Sean J definately going to look good once it gets some flora,how many pairs you planning on putting in that tank? or is this just for one and you splitting the others up for breeding ? i have read the inkas can be terrors

 

This tank is for the 2 pairs of A. elizabethae. I have another 2 tanks which the Inkas will be going into.

I am also considering adding some dither fish. Not too sure what yet. Must be something peaceful. I'm considering some Microrasbora.

 

i cant wait to see the elizibethae pics

 

@Sean J, will you be breeding with the 4 pairs that you are bringing in? If you are, I would like to enquire about buying some of the babies from you.... Thought I would get in early to avoid the rush...

 

Nice to see the tank filled

 

@Sean J all of the best mate, wishing you tanks full of success and happiness. Strongs with the waiting, at least it gives you proper time to cycle their new home. Will be watching the space for more pics

 

looks cool shaun..

 

aggg sorry i ment sean hahaha

 

@Sean J, Have you decided what you are going to add by way of flora? Will you be putting 2 pairs in this tank or will it only be for 1 pair? I'm getting excited to see what comes of this, I think it will be as stunning as your cube....

 

@Sean J – how are you going to control the water parameters in the tank? I am referring to the pH and hardness. Are you using RO water and adding salts to get the correct hardness, or are you just going with tap water and hoping that the wood will reduce the pH and hardness.

 

I hope that they will pair up and breed for me, and if they do, the fry will be looked after and raised. No doubt about it, but I think it's a little early in the day to be speaking of selling off fry.

@Kuhli Loach - I have Aquasoil in the tank. Aquasoil lowers the PH and hardness of the water. I will be using tap water to start with, as it is slightly buffered here anyway. I will also be using equilibrium to further buffer the water if necessary. The wood is there to provide hiding places for the fish. I will be adding coconut caves to the tank as well, for further hiding and the tank will be planted.

As a backup, I do have an RO unit, so I can at a later time add RO tu further drop the PH to induce spawning.

 

Whats the advantage/disadvantage of using a sump compared to a canister external? I'm excited for this tank would be cool to come check it out!

 

You're welcome to come check it out...

The major "disadvantage" for a sump is that the water falling down the pipes oxygenates the water, and removes the Co2 from the water. But I'm hoping that this will be minimal. I DIY'd the bottom of the pipes coming into the sump to create as little water bubbles when entering the sump, and there's almost no bubbles where the water enters the sump. Ther's nothing I can do about when the water is in the pipes though.

The big advantage of the sump, is that it increases the volume of the tank and helps to keep water parameters stable. Also, allows you more space for filtration media.

 

Sounds interesting! Give me a shout when I can come and view the tank! Maybe this wkend? Also need to buy some aquascaping tools from you at some point

 

definately going to be keeping an eye on this tank, the layout looks awesome and i cant wait to see it planted. what are you planning plant wise?

 

Not much planned for plants yet. I intend to do the planting once I have some Co2 for this tank. But it will be Glosso, Maybe HC, Some Stellatus, Narrow Leaf Java Fern (I have some tiny babies on some leaves!!)

But ja, it's going to be easy plants only really. This is not a planted tank, it's supposed to be a pairing/breeding tank. LOL! We'll see how well that works out though... Hehehe...

 

Lucky @Sean J - I know the ones I sent @Vez also had some baby plantlets on there! Will have to investigate in my tanks to see if I have any babies left Can't wait to see the tank once it is done!

 

Are the fish in?

 

looking fantastic @Sean J , i cant wait to see the fish in there !