Apistogramma Set Up?

[k3ny0n]

Hi, I have just bought a new two foot tank and I am wanting to keep two Apistogramma Agassizii both paired up. Now, I want the aqaurium to be a rocky type style with a sand substate... half plant pots turned over under the rocks. Would this be ideal for these type or fish or will a typical planted aquarium be best?
I dont know if this is the correct section to post in but any help would be great.
Thanks Rob

 

[Bebobb]

Are you talking like an African setup? If so, I would dissuade you from this. They don't live in the wild like that. Most people have a regular planted tank for the,. This is not saying that you can't have any rocks, but just rocks with no plants wouldn't be a "proper" setup for them. Remember, you are trying to replicate a fishes wild enviroment when you are setting up a tank for them.

 

[k3ny0n]

So rocks and planted would be ok?

 

[Bebobb]

Correct. BUt make sure that the rocks you use aren't goingh to raise your pH. There is a way to figure out if they are going to. Take a drop of vinegar, and put it on the rock, if it fizzes, DON'T use it. If it doesn't fizz, then it will be okay. If you plan on using live rock, then don't. One of the reasons that it is used in African tanks is to raise the pH. What kind of rocks are you going to use?

 

[k3ny0n]

Yeah im aware of the fizz test. Thats the thing about which type of rock. I've been looking at some which are hard to explain, A type of large pebble/cobble. You got any ideas? Ill try and find a picture of the internet.

 

[Bebobb]

Like river rock/ cobble stones? These look great in planted tanks.

 

[Truck]

Yeah im aware of the fizz test. Thats the thing about which type of rock. I've been looking at some which are hard to explain, A type of large pebble/cobble. You got any ideas? Ill try and find a picture of the internet.

have you seen sieryu stone? it's quite cheap and 5KG filled my 60 litre.

 

[k3ny0n]

Something like the large pebbles on this photo. Something what you could find on a beach.

 

[k3ny0n]

''have you seen sieryu stone? it's quite cheap and 5KG filled my 60 litre''


Yeh thats very nice. Where did you get hold of it? Not much comes up when I do a search for it.

 

[Truck]

Planted box or the green machine, Aqua essentials do it too.

 

[Bebobb]

I just did a google search for that, and I have never seen any of it.

 

[Truck]

I just did a google search for that, and I have never seen any of it.

It's imported from Japan, which is why you won't see it in the shops, but as I previously said, online retailers such as The Green Machine and Planted box sell it.

 

[k3ny0n]

WOW! just checked out the plant box website and the sieryu is only £2.76/kg which is cheap compared to the green machine price (£6.75/kg) the only this is that on the planted box price it is a minimum of 5kg per order. Which i supposed wouldnt be too bad as it can be stored. But i think that ill have to get some of that its very nice. Thanks!

 

[Bebobb]

WOW! just checked out the plant box website and the sieryu is only £2.76/kg which is cheap compared to the green machine price (£6.75/kg) the only this is that on the planted box price it is a minimum of 5kg per order. Which i supposed wouldnt be too bad as it can be stored. But i think that ill have to get some of that its very nice. Thanks!

Sounds like deal to me! But how much is shipping?

 

[k3ny0n]

The total including shipping and 5kg of the stone was £21.80.