Sarah Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 (edited) So we have a 4ft tank in the lounge room, has been there 17yrs. Don't like the set up much at all - pretty much the general setup: really fake looking plants, fake ship. I'm the one who maintains it, but haven't been allowed to change the setup. WELL, after mum was looking at my tanks recently, she decided she liked my planted tank so much - I was given permission to scape it. After blabbering on about ideas, and showing mum a few piccies, she's decided she likes the iwagumi idea, with a large school of a single species of fish (not sure what... blue eyes come to mind, maybe rosy tetras or something? Just not neons, they never last long). So this probably won't happen for some time - just ideas going around. Next project is my cichlid tank, then this 4ft. Then work on the wilds again. I have these rocks out in the shed, not the best pic of them - have since been cleaned and all that - nice and black. What do we think of these (not the wood... that's in the axie tank)? Looking at the photo, there doesn't seem to be enough for a 4ft I don't think? I have like a 100L container out the back filled with riverrocks and these - positive there are more. Suggestions, ideas and comments will be much appreciated! Edited January 11, 2012 by Sarah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kertaz Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 Plenty of tetras other than neon make good schooling fish: Cardinal tetras ( for the bluish colour ) Glowlight tetras (for the orangish colour) Ember tetras Rummynose tetras They'll fit depending on your scape, I suppose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted January 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 Ember tetras are another I had in mind. I did mention to mum that cardinals are a lot like neons - just less fragile. Currently in the tank are roughly 7-10 Rummies, so could always get a few more if I decide to go with them, or toss them into another tank. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishbites Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 If you're going to have a large school of single species you could also consider barbs or danios...... some nicely coloured species available..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyrefly Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 Exciting new project other-Sarah! Loving that big pile of rocks and wood. My vote for Cardinals.. So pretty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kermadum Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 Chilli Rasboras are also really awesome little fish (I'm not sure if they school or not though) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted January 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 Thanks guys. Shall take out those rocks tomorrow, get a pic of how many there actually are. Oh mum says I can only do it if dad buys me a light for the tank... fine by me, she said she'll ask him later. Adam - Chilli Rasboras look awesome! Will look into those! Thanks. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_95 Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 There are some good iwagumi guides online so you know what to do look up the AGA competition for some inspiration. Can you afford CO2 injection? With such a low biomass it's the best choice and you need higher light to keep a foreground. I vote for glosso Make sure your rocks aren't too "square" a scalene ish shape is best according to Japanese rules. Look into the rule of thirds and the golden ratio in regards to planted aquarium. The ADA catalogue has a fantastic guide if you can find an lfs with it. Was far better than the ones I found online IMO. I think someone sells chilli rasbora, around $7 from memory. I like embers better for larger tanks PS I think the best tip Wolfgang gave me was scape it, leave it for 3 days, make a few adjustments, leave it another few days, adjust and so on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted January 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 Thanks Matt! As for co2, do I need to? I am quite fond of the NPT method. No idea if the rocks are "square" or not, haven't looked at them for a while (like last year ). want to come to Syndey and help scape it for me? Bring Wolfy too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeachSlices Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 rasbora hengeli would go very nice mid swimming fish and a very good schooling fish and nice red in colour. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_95 Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 For the DIY substrates you really need lower light and a higher plant mass. Diana Walstad has an article where she did it successfully, she used heaps of floating plants, your tank is a lot deeper though and you will need much stronger lights, you don't really want the light being obstructed. My setup only cost me $200 but I only payed for the tank, you could probably set one up with a smaller tank for under $300. Or look for second hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted January 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 Aah interesting! Should look into that. Psh mum just came up to me, said she changed her mind (before saying anything bout the co2). She's all like... I think I like a bunch of plants all bunched together... think there is too much open space in this iwagumi method. In other words she doesn't want the iwagumi anymore.. Said she would like it like my other tank, filled with plants. There we go then... new plan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_95 Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 Make her look at the AGA competition photos, Nature style is nice and much easier than Dutch :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted January 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 AGA Competition photos? Aw let's not get her hopes up now!Mum wants the tank to look like THIS. She says she doesn't like "blank space, blank water... just lots and lots of plants". Yep... good luck with me scaping that mum.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_95 Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 iPod doesn't like your link :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bettarazzi Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 MacBook doesn't like your link either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pritch33 Posted January 13, 2012 Report Share Posted January 13, 2012 Link no good on PC Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletch Posted January 13, 2012 Report Share Posted January 13, 2012 No luck with iPhone either. :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishbites Posted January 13, 2012 Report Share Posted January 13, 2012 its because the website doesn't allow links from external sites.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola Posted January 13, 2012 Report Share Posted January 13, 2012 http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/9/freshwater try scrolling down to nature *hopes it works* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts