Low Tech Rio 180

[ATK!!!]

Here's the better images
 
The whole setup from the floor

 
The Eleocharis

 
The tetra enjoying the new plants/ wood!

 
The Sumatran driftwood piece

 
 
The Hydrocotyle

 
And a full tank shot

 
Any comments or advice is welcome

 

[iceblueangel]

Your photos are inspirational - I love your tank 

 

[ATK!!!]

Thanks a bunch I was thinking of trying a video from within the fish tank using my waterproof Gopro Hero 3 at some point, I thought it might be an interesting viewpoint to try out! I'll have to find some kind of mount though so I can move it through the water without dropping it 

 
I still feel that I'm lacking some kind of larger peaceful fish though that wont go and nibble all my plants though. Bearing in mind that I have a quite low pH (6.3-6.8) and the lower end of temperatures (22.5-23.5C) currently. I guess I'll go and ask around for ideas on the other parts of the forums soon!

 

[FishMaster4]

cool tank

 

[greenmumma141]

Your tank is stunning.  A pearl gourami would look beautiful in there, and would absolutely love it. Pearls are very peaceful. They seem to meet your tank requirements on the low end, but I think you should think about it  I got one a couple months back, and she is one of my fav fish, she's wonderful to watch.  

 

[Jbram]

Beautiful tank.  Not sure if these would be what your looking for but I would love to do a tank with some, LFS has some in and they are awesome to watch and have some great colors pseudomugil rainbow

 
or Threadfin Rainbow

 
Sorry a little late to the thread, I saw the date on the last post but didn't pay attention to the earlier dates....

 

[RBS85]

Wow! That is a sick tank! Ive got a rio 180. But mine looks like crap compared to this

 

[ATK!!!]

I'll have to look into Gourami's, I vaguely recall something about them sometimes eating people's plants though (maybe I'm getting mixed up, I haven't done any research on what fish to get for aaages

). Those Pseudomugil rainbow's look beautiful too! I don't know whether my tiny LFS is ever realistically going to stock them however

I'll have a word with the owner when I pick up some food.
 
In other news, I've been away for 2 weeks on holiday (got to go to CERN and see some particle accelerating goodness!!)  and when I came back one of my female Splashing Tetra had a gaping hole in her side. The hole kept on letting out little bubbles which I think may have been from her swim bladder as she couldn't stay buoyant and just sat at the bottom. Thankfully though I've nursed her back to almost a full recovery, she still has a small indent where the hole was and she doesn't swim straight any more but at least she's alive!
 
A bit blurry but here she is, crooked yet still trooping on. The hole was in the middle of her body but now you can only see the darker patch it has left behind

 
I'll be posting a new video as soon as I get a camera pole so I can get the Gopro into the tank without holding with my whole arm in there!! Hopefully it'll turn out to be an interesting viewpoint.
 
Once again thanks for the compliments, they're much appreciated

 

[MrsEspoNYC7]

Hi ATK. Thanks for this thread, I enjoyed reading through it.. Your tank is gorgeous, I can't believe the plants look so healthy and it's low tech.. Pretty amazing I must say.

 

[richpowell1989]

This is beautiful tank mate you should be very proud. Any updates ??