I'd really love to create a biotope based on the Orinoco river, since I've got my plecs originating from that area. Not sure when I'd like to build up one though. Maybe if I have the time (and money) I'll try it with my current 4ft.
I did an orinoco biotope (sort of) in a 29g. If I had it to do over I wouldn't go with angelfish; they really like more space. But there are so many other, less-space-needy alternatives for centerpiece fish...or just throw out the centerpiece concept entirely and go with gigantic schools of tetras or pencilfish!
I've never been big on centerpiece fish... Since my "centerpiece" is my sailfin and he's a bottom dweller, my dad's constantly trying to convince me to get a group of gourami or similar as my centerpiece. Came up with the compromise that I'd get a couple tetra schools. Got rummynose and cardinals right now, might get more cardinals though.
They should be called "Nosebleed tetras." (Slap and I have had this argument for years, ha ha) Glowlights, green neons, cardinals, rubies, and red phantoms are all nice. I've never kept rubies but they look amazing. Red phantoms are one of my all-time favorite fish, though. There are also hatchetfish and pencilfish, both of which are nice alternatives to tetras. So many possibilities!
You might be right. I've been sprouting them in buckets, and they seem to get to about 10" high then stop growing. Not sure why.
lack of nutrients or too much water.
Decent, but not great. I started them in only about two inches of potting soil/sand, because that's all they're going to have in the aquarium. I'm guessing they need a deeper substrate than that?
How bout dinner at Badger Manor tomorrow? You bring the roast beast, I'll bring the cheese browns and home-made apple, um, juice?
cool! i'm starting pinto beans in the tank... is that harmful to my fish?
