K-Holed
Fishaholic
Okay, it's time for the procrastination to stop. After a good few years away from the hobby, I'm now in a position where I can get an aquarium up an running without the fear that I'll be moving house within the next 12 months.
I've been wanting an Apisto biotope for several years now, but I thought I'd just throw a few questions out there to get people s current opinions. I've spent four years, on and off researching often conflicting opinions and I'm at a stage where I'm willing to make some firm decisions.
I've already got two aquariums I can chose to use. One is 24x12x12 and the other is 24x12x15 (If I remember correctly).
Although I've kept my hand in on the hobby over the years, even without having my own aquariums any more, I feel that technology has moved on somewhat and there seems to be a plethora of new equipment out there available to the hobbiest.
Ultimately my aquarium will house a pair of Apistos, a shoal of Black Neon Tetras and possibly some Pygmy Corydoras.
So ... in no particular order ...
Planting
Most sources I see recommend a well planted aquarium. I've always liked plated aquariums and I am willing to provide for one. However, many other sources I have read have described the waters of the Amazon as being devoid of much vegetation growing in their waters and more a combination of decaying wood and plant matter.
Filtration
I'm almost certainly looking at an external canister filter here. They're far less hassle and far more effective in most cases. What are people experiences of canister filters for this size of aquarium? (12 Imperial gallons/15 US gallons). What sort of difference (is any) would having a heavily planted aquarium make. I've read reports of highly planted aquariums needing a particularly high rate of flow. How is this going to compare to the flow in nature? Are we talking slow back water, fast flowing river or stagnant black water puddle?
Lighting
This is an area that seems to have changed a lot since I last had to address it. What is currently the most cost effective way to light a planted aquarium? T5? T8? other?
Heating
I've seen the Hydor external in-line heaters and these have appealed to me for obvious reasons. Are they worth all the extra money, or would something like the Rena Smartheater be a better choice?
Planting
I'm aware that Black Neons look better under lower light conditions and that some Apistos also appreciate a more subdued illumination. On the other hand if I'm looking at needing a heavily planted tank, what are my options here? Are the enough low light species of plant that will thrive (and not just survive) from the Amazon region? Are floating plants a good idea?
How necessary is CO2 injection? Can I get away with a DIY setup, or is injection via a canister that much better?
Substrate
I've been drawn from the beginning to Aquasoil Amazonia II. However this is very expensive. I worked out that I'd need one 9ltr bag, which after I've added postage is nearly £50 just for the substrate. Is this amount of substrate about right, or have I calculated something way off? How often does the Aquasoil need replacing? Are there any alternatives that would provide a dark substrate that I could dose to provide the same benefits as the Aquasoil at a lower cost?
When I mentioned wanting to do this setup originally, I got a reply from a forum user suggesting oak leaves. Many people have said they collect their own oak leaves but I've never been happy about obtaining things from unknown sources, in case they bring in anything nasty with them. If oak leaves are used, how often do they need replacing and how many need to be used?
Residents
So many Apistos, so little space! The more I look at Apistos, the more I fall in love with them and the more I can't decide which species to go for. I'm confident that I can maintain water conditions at whatever level a particular species needs, so that's not my main concern. I'm just trying to find that perfect Apisto that has the perfect balance of colour, personality and compatibility.
Am I best just keeping one pair, or am I better off housing two females with one male? I'm all too aware that I'm playing with a relatively small body of water here and I'm not wanting to overcrowd. Again, water quality is not my primary concern (well it is, but I feel I can deal with that), I'm more concerned with having enough room for their territory to be established and not to induce unwanted stress in my residents.
When I first set out on this mission, I also had notions of Bristlenosed plecs and Corydoras. After some consideration I thought that having a pair of Bristlenoses in with a pair of Apistos in a 24x12x12 aquarium, might not provide adequate room for them both to establish their own patch as it were. I'm still torn with the Pygmy Corydoras, again I've heard mixed opinions when it comes to their suitability in this kind of setup.
Biotope
As far as possible I'd like to keep the inhabitants of this aquarium (both flora and fauna) from the same region, Mato Grosso. I'm not going to be too precious about this if it becomes unfeasable, but it would be nice (if only for my own sense of self satisfaction). So if there are any Brazilian nature experts out there that could offer any tips or anyone who knows of any Apistos that are native to that region, feel free to comment.
Okay, I'll leave it at that for now. If you've read this far ... well done! I can ramble when I'm left to my own devices. It's amazing how much easier it is to give other people advice than it is to give it to yourself!
As I move forward with this project (however small it is in size) I'm going to keep a journal that I can share.
Kind regards and thank you in advance
Jimi
I've been wanting an Apisto biotope for several years now, but I thought I'd just throw a few questions out there to get people s current opinions. I've spent four years, on and off researching often conflicting opinions and I'm at a stage where I'm willing to make some firm decisions.
I've already got two aquariums I can chose to use. One is 24x12x12 and the other is 24x12x15 (If I remember correctly).
Although I've kept my hand in on the hobby over the years, even without having my own aquariums any more, I feel that technology has moved on somewhat and there seems to be a plethora of new equipment out there available to the hobbiest.
Ultimately my aquarium will house a pair of Apistos, a shoal of Black Neon Tetras and possibly some Pygmy Corydoras.
So ... in no particular order ...
Planting
Most sources I see recommend a well planted aquarium. I've always liked plated aquariums and I am willing to provide for one. However, many other sources I have read have described the waters of the Amazon as being devoid of much vegetation growing in their waters and more a combination of decaying wood and plant matter.
Filtration
I'm almost certainly looking at an external canister filter here. They're far less hassle and far more effective in most cases. What are people experiences of canister filters for this size of aquarium? (12 Imperial gallons/15 US gallons). What sort of difference (is any) would having a heavily planted aquarium make. I've read reports of highly planted aquariums needing a particularly high rate of flow. How is this going to compare to the flow in nature? Are we talking slow back water, fast flowing river or stagnant black water puddle?
Lighting
This is an area that seems to have changed a lot since I last had to address it. What is currently the most cost effective way to light a planted aquarium? T5? T8? other?
Heating
I've seen the Hydor external in-line heaters and these have appealed to me for obvious reasons. Are they worth all the extra money, or would something like the Rena Smartheater be a better choice?
Planting
I'm aware that Black Neons look better under lower light conditions and that some Apistos also appreciate a more subdued illumination. On the other hand if I'm looking at needing a heavily planted tank, what are my options here? Are the enough low light species of plant that will thrive (and not just survive) from the Amazon region? Are floating plants a good idea?
How necessary is CO2 injection? Can I get away with a DIY setup, or is injection via a canister that much better?
Substrate
I've been drawn from the beginning to Aquasoil Amazonia II. However this is very expensive. I worked out that I'd need one 9ltr bag, which after I've added postage is nearly £50 just for the substrate. Is this amount of substrate about right, or have I calculated something way off? How often does the Aquasoil need replacing? Are there any alternatives that would provide a dark substrate that I could dose to provide the same benefits as the Aquasoil at a lower cost?
When I mentioned wanting to do this setup originally, I got a reply from a forum user suggesting oak leaves. Many people have said they collect their own oak leaves but I've never been happy about obtaining things from unknown sources, in case they bring in anything nasty with them. If oak leaves are used, how often do they need replacing and how many need to be used?
Residents
So many Apistos, so little space! The more I look at Apistos, the more I fall in love with them and the more I can't decide which species to go for. I'm confident that I can maintain water conditions at whatever level a particular species needs, so that's not my main concern. I'm just trying to find that perfect Apisto that has the perfect balance of colour, personality and compatibility.
Am I best just keeping one pair, or am I better off housing two females with one male? I'm all too aware that I'm playing with a relatively small body of water here and I'm not wanting to overcrowd. Again, water quality is not my primary concern (well it is, but I feel I can deal with that), I'm more concerned with having enough room for their territory to be established and not to induce unwanted stress in my residents.
When I first set out on this mission, I also had notions of Bristlenosed plecs and Corydoras. After some consideration I thought that having a pair of Bristlenoses in with a pair of Apistos in a 24x12x12 aquarium, might not provide adequate room for them both to establish their own patch as it were. I'm still torn with the Pygmy Corydoras, again I've heard mixed opinions when it comes to their suitability in this kind of setup.
Biotope
As far as possible I'd like to keep the inhabitants of this aquarium (both flora and fauna) from the same region, Mato Grosso. I'm not going to be too precious about this if it becomes unfeasable, but it would be nice (if only for my own sense of self satisfaction). So if there are any Brazilian nature experts out there that could offer any tips or anyone who knows of any Apistos that are native to that region, feel free to comment.
Okay, I'll leave it at that for now. If you've read this far ... well done! I can ramble when I'm left to my own devices. It's amazing how much easier it is to give other people advice than it is to give it to yourself!
As I move forward with this project (however small it is in size) I'm going to keep a journal that I can share.
Kind regards and thank you in advance
Jimi
