Se Asian Biotope

[coldcazzie]

Question: do I definitely need a sand/gravel cap over compost, or could I manage without. Just considering options here.

Will 14 harlequins, a group of sparkling gourami and some cardinal shrimp be too much?

Anyone?

 

[Jamepsss]

Question: do I definitely need a sand/gravel cap over compost, or could I manage without. Just considering options here.

Will 14 harlequins, a group of sparkling gourami and some cardinal shrimp be too much?

Anyone?

Never done it myself but I've seen a lot of people doing it on youtube and I reckon you'll definitely need to cap it otherwise it could get very messy. Some if will float up and will generally make your water murky everytime you add water or re-arrange stuff.

That looks like a nice stock and I think it will be fine once heavily planted. I'd add them gradually and then just keep an eye on the stats.

By the way, that's a cracking piece of wood you've got and position 3 would be how I'd be looking to place it.

 

[coldcazzie]

Never done it myself but I've seen a lot of people doing it on youtube and I reckon you'll definitely need to cap it otherwise it could get very messy. Some if will float up and will generally make your water murky everytime you add water or re-arrange stuff.

That looks like a nice stock and I think it will be fine once heavily planted. I'd add them gradually and then just keep an eye on the stats.

By the way, that's a cracking piece of wood you've got and position 3 would be how I'd be looking to place it.

Well I'm off down to P@H today, need some gerbil food and cat litter anyway, and have been promised free stuff after a misunderstanding last week, so I will pick up a bag of black gravel while I'm there, mix it with the pea gravel I already have, and also see if they've any stone which takes my fancy.

I already have the harlequins in my main tank, I was thinking after it has been settled for 4-6 weeks then I will add some of the harlequins (depending on how many I can catch!) and see how they get on, and then add more a month later, etc... sound good?

For the record though, I'm not planning on rearranging anything! I want to have everything in the final position as soon as it's added

 

[Jamepsss]

Never done it myself but I've seen a lot of people doing it on youtube and I reckon you'll definitely need to cap it otherwise it could get very messy. Some if will float up and will generally make your water murky everytime you add water or re-arrange stuff.

That looks like a nice stock and I think it will be fine once heavily planted. I'd add them gradually and then just keep an eye on the stats.

By the way, that's a cracking piece of wood you've got and position 3 would be how I'd be looking to place it.

Well I'm off down to P@H today, need some gerbil food and cat litter anyway, and have been promised free stuff after a misunderstanding last week, so I will pick up a bag of black gravel while I'm there, mix it with the pea gravel I already have, and also see if they've any stone which takes my fancy.

I already have the harlequins in my main tank, I was thinking after it has been settled for 4-6 weeks then I will add some of the harlequins (depending on how many I can catch!) and see how they get on, and then add more a month later, etc... sound good?

For the record though, I'm not planning on rearranging anything! I want to have everything in the final position as soon as it's added

Sounds very good. Harlequins aren't THAT hard to catch ime.

I reckon it's nigh on impossible not to re-arrange anything with a fish tank but good luck

 

[coldcazzie]

I got me some rocks!

 

[ian]

watch the Sparklers and the shrimp if you decide to get them. Someone i know bought a group and they wiped out a shrimp population in a day.

and show us your rocks!

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Sounds good Caz, so hoping this works for ya, I hate it when months of planning goes to waste.

 

[lljdma06]

Me?

2 & 5, they are more interesting to the eye and the wood looks more like one piece rather than two pieces.

llj

 

[coldcazzie]

I can't Ian, I'm on a bus!

 

[lljdma06]

I can't Ian, I'm on a bus!

You're going to make him wait?!

 

[coldcazzie]

watch the Sparklers and the shrimp if you decide to get them. Someone i know bought a group and they wiped out a shrimp population in a day.

and show us your rocks!

If I gave to choose between the sparklers and the shrimp I'll choose the shrimp.

Sounds good Caz, so hoping this works for ya, I hate it when months of planning goes to waste.

Heh, thanks Steve, I will finish this project if it kills me! (if only so then I can start a new one! )

Me?

2 & 5, they are more interesting to the eye and the wood looks more like one piece rather than two pieces.

llj

I think the position it's in now looks like 1 piece - I'll take a picture in a bit and post it up. Looking like a single piece was the effect I was going for

I can't Ian, I'm on a bus!

You're going to make him wait?!

I am indeed! going to make him wait until the monsters are finally in bed!

 

[coldcazzie]

Rocks. Although trying not to get too excited by them - having got them home and took them out of the wrappers I am dubious as to whether they will pass the vinegar test... however, can't find my vinegar anywhere to confirm or deny! (only got cider vinegar...not sure that'll work really!)

#1:

#2:

#3:

#4:

Assuming they're ok to put in, I'm only planning on keeping #1 whole, the others will all get smashed up

And here's the wood as it is currently (apologies for the giant rock, it is very buoyant!)

 

[ian]

they'll be OK, cider vinegar will work. Nice rocks.

 

[coldcazzie]

Rocks + cider vinegar = no fizz! can't wait to smash them up now!

 

[coldcazzie]

Plans got brought forward due to moving my other tanks around.

Substrate in, wood in, crypts in, tank is currently filling via airline which takes yonks!

Pictures to follow this week.

I'm really pleased with it. It looks just like it did in my head!