1200 litre tank new start

[mikeyc]

Hi everyone,
ive recently had a disater in my malawi tank after returning back from a 3 week holiday,
while i was away the power tripped and all heaters and filters turned off killing all my fish completely, the person feeding them did not realise that had happened until all fish had died! so i got back last week and completely gutted the tsnk including ripping out the rocks etc supplied by aquadecor and even the wooden surround i had built around the tank, its now going to be built into the wall dividing the kitchen and living room!

its a 7ft long tak and 3ft tall! its a centrepiece in the house and i run 2 x fx6 filters on it which are going into be cleaned and serviced tommorow.

ive never kept a planted aquarium and im looking for some advice on types of fish, plants and shrimp, im looking for loads of movement in this tank so any help would be good! i will post regular updates and pics!

im tinkin a centre piece of large bogwood and plants all around but im open to suggestions as to what you would do with this tank?
ive posted a screenshot from my instagram of what it was like before and also a photo of it now ill post regular updates of it being built back up if anybody is intersted!

thanks!

View attachment 96020View attachment 96021

 

[Fishmanic]

Sorry for your loss of your fish. That was an awesome looking setup. We run a Tank of the Month contest here . I hope that once you get set back up, you will enter your tank in our contest. Meanwhile, enjoy the Tropical Fish Forums.

 

[mikeyc]

thanks, can the images be viewed by you guys when i click on them from the thread it wont let me see them?

yes i will be updating regularly and hopefully get tank of the month one month!

 

[Retired Viking]

Sorry about your fish, I had a similar tragedy many years ago. Good luck setting it back up, I was unable to see your tank-link is dead.

 

[mikeyc]

 

[Retired Viking]

Looks like a big project, are the stone work in the tank fake? they looked very nice.You also had some very nice looking fish

 

[Naughts]

Exciting project! Can't wait to see updates. If you want movement a good plant would be giant vallisneria as it sways in the current. If the water parameters were suitable I would have a schoal of bala sharks and a schoal of silver dollars.

 

[mikeyc]

Looks like a big project, are the stone work in the tank fake? they looked very nice.You also had some very nice looking fish

yes all the stonework was fake, from a company called aquadecor in serbia they do some amazing backgrounds etc

 

[Retired Viking]

yes all the stonework was fake, from a company called aquadecor in serbia they do some amazing backgrounds etc

They sure do.

 

[utahfish]

Tank that big go with big plants. Swords, Vals, Java Ferns can get big. Cryptacorne balanaese is a great back ground plant.
Red temple if your looking for some color gets tall fast grower. As far as fish silver dollars move but can also tear up plants. Getting a few large shoals of tetras would give you plenty of movement and color. Clown loaches are lots of fun real busy and like being in groups though they prefer harder water than tetras. Rainbow fish are pretty and move a bit in shoals. Just depends what kind of water youre shooting for and what fish best fit those parameters

 

[Byron]

I certainly agree, the rift lake aquascape was stunning.

As for new ideas, what are your source water parameters? GH particularly, and pH.

You will need different lighting (the spectrum, perhaps intensity) for plants. A sand substrate is best given your intentions as it will allow for any fish, something gravels do not do. Play Sand is inexpensive and natural.

 

[mikeyc]

small update on tank rebuild of anybody is intersted! have started to build the tank in to the wall still have to box on the left in to hold the 2 fx6 filters, i have put a single led strip light in there to show how it looks with a bit of light, im going for a more modern sleek look then the previous wooden surround and i think it will good once finished, still lots of work to do on the whole project but im happy with the start! thanks for all advice on types of fish and plants.

 

[Fishmanic]

You might consider getting a geophagus or two..mainly a bottom dweller.... very interesting fish

 

[Naughts]

How about a school of torpedo barbs? Very active beauties.

 

[Retired Viking]

Looking real good, I wish I could build something like that but the kitchen is the wife's territory and I have taken over most of the house with my hobbies.