Squirrel's 72 Gallon Planted Tank

[Squirrelbuddies]

Thank you all for the replies. I will go for the 4:1 ratio. I had a few issues to work through this past week and the tank went a bit off-kilter. The Congo tetras (seemingly out of the blue) got very stressed out and went into hiding. I thought at first the CO2 was too high, so I backed it off a bit -- of course, that was a great invite for algae -- but the fish come first...

Well, backing off the CO2 didn't help so I thought perhaps it was the ferts. bothering them so I backed off of that, too. Anyway, lot of trial and error trying to figure out their problem. I finally realized it's probably because I moved the three rainbow fish into a different tank. They are very confident compared to the Congos and I think when I took them out, the tetras didn't feel quite safe anymore. I am finally starting to see them again and I think I have the algae back under control for the most part.

I also introduced 9 little amano shrimp this week! Five of them like to hang out on the spray bar at the top of the tank. Is that normal?

And Dave, thanks for the idea about the diandra. I have a lot of it in the tank and actually had to take some out as it was taking over. I moved a clump of it near the middle so now there is some on both sides of the bogwood.

More pics once it's dark!

 

[SuperColey1]

I would think that they find a lot of food there, as the first place I get algae is along the spray bar or on the sucker clips.

My mollys are always pecking away at it.

Andy

 

[Castellop123]

Any Pics or updates...

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

Hmmm...no new pics. I went on a rampage Friday and pulled out the diandra, rotala and some of the mayaca. I guess I should back up for a moment:

1. Lots going on lately -- my gram passed away.
2. I need shoulder surgery
3. EI -- dosing a 72 gallon tank is not easy.
4. Congo Tetras do not take well to weekly "fiddling" in the tank or multiple changes within the same week.

Basically, algae was getting the best of me once I started upping the fertilizers along with overall lack of attention. I haven't seen my Congos for three weeks. They hide constantly. It's like I have a planted tank with no fish.

So back to Friday. I found I was not keeping the stem plants thinned out enough. The algae was collecting down low on the stems where there was no light. Interestingly enough, with some plant mass gone, the Congos have come out of hiding -- although they are still very nervous. (They never used to be like that.)

I added another piece of bog wood hoping it will stain the water a little. I also added some low maint. plants like amazon swords, crypts, ferns and dwarf sags to fill in the gaps. The tank actually looks more "natural" as opposed to a "nature aquarium" - if that makes sense.

I think I am really going to change things up and move the Congos into the 55 gallon (a low tech planted tank.) I think they will do much better with the low lighting plus they will be reunited with their boesmani rainbow friends. Next, I am going to move the upside down catfish (to make room for the Congos) into their very own tank. This will be a sandy bottom tank with bogwood and a HUGE patch of anubias they are currently "hanging" out in.

THEN -- I am going to move my sailfin (?) plec into this tank. I am thinking of also having a large school of black neon tetras. I'm not sure how I will replant it yet. But whatever it is, it will be easy and "plec" friendly. (Thinking of an Amazon theme...) I plan to keep the CO2 but back the lighting off somewhat.

I honestly do not feel I have failed with this tank. What I have realized is that it takes a lot of dedication to keep a tank of this size planted with high-light stem plants. They need to be trimmed and thinned weekly (and there's a lot of them!) Even skipping just one week of trimming or skipping one day of fertilizers is an invitation for algae.

BTW-- the amano shrimp are awesome! They have nearly doubled in size and are a blast to watch.

Stay tuned for the new Amazon-look 72 gallon tank!

 

[lljdma06]

Your instinct is correct about the Congos. They come from dimly lit waters of West Africa and don't like being disturbed. Their ideal setup is a low-maintenance, low-light tank planted with plants that don't require a lot of fiddling. Floating plants are encouraged to reduce light. Ideal plants for this setup include Anubias, Bolbitis, Crypts, mosses, java fern, etc. You can have stemplants too, but with a low-tech setup, you won't have to fiddle with the pruning so much. They should bounce back in your 55g. I'd love a 55-72g low-tech like that with like 20 congos and a smaller synodontis. There are dozens of rarer African characins that are absolutely stunning. There was a large tank in the Member's area that was that kind of setup. Pretty sweet stuff.

llj

 

[Themuleous]

Looking forward to the new look tank, Sondra

Sam

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

Well, thought it was time for an update. As mentioned earlier, I was thinking of changing things up -- however, I decided to just leave things alone. This is what things are looking like these days (it's dark because only the 56 watt light is on.)

It's a totally different look but I like it because it's simple and low maintenance. I change 20% of the water and trim the plants every 10-14 days. The 130 watt light fixture is on for 13.5 hours per day and I have another 56 light fixture which is on in the AM and off for most of the afternoon and then on again in the evening so that it's the last light to go out.

I have 9 amano shrimp, 6 otos and a BN plec which keep most of the algae under control. My biggest issue is the black tufts of algae that grow on the filter inlet/outlet pipes. But I take them out and scrub them every four weeks or so.

The congos have completely come out of hiding (finally.) The "feeding frenzy" is back again and they will all swim to the top and eat when my hand drops the food in - like they used to do. (This makes me very happy )

I still run pressurized CO2 -- but oh yes, almost forgot, I put the nutrafin ladder back in. The lovely (and-oh-so-pricey) ADA diffuser was driving me nuts with the noise it made. I wonder what it sounds like under water?? And I also wonder if this bugged the Congos? Who knows. But they certainly are happier now.

So, that's it -- a pretty simple tank to care for these days. Now I need to get the 55 gallon in order!

 

[lljdma06]

Now that is one ideal setup for congos. No wonder they are coming out of hiding. I think it may have been the noisy diffusor too. Beautiful, SB. That big male I see between the lotus and moss is stunning. What's the stocking on this tank? You only mention the clean-up crew and the congos. If that's it, methinks you can have more congos. Or try and find another African characin. It's a tall order, though, they are not common in the trade.

llj

 

[Biulu]

Congratulations! That is really a nice setup! I like the simplicity of it, yet you have been able to make it very interesting, with nice hiding places and depth!

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

What's the stocking on this tank? You only mention the clean-up crew and the congos. If that's it, methinks you can have more congos. Or try and find another African characin. It's a tall order, though, they are not common in the trade.

llj

Thanks, llj! Here's what I have in there:

8 congo tetras (5 male, 3 female)
1 male pearl gourami (his mate recently died)
8 cories (3 sterbai, 5 melanistius?)
4 black neon tetras
4 neon tetras
6 otos
1 BN plec
9 amano shrimp

I have two female pearl gouramis in the quarantine tank right now. I'll be adding them to this tank in a week or so. The pearls look really nice with the congos. At one time, I was thinking of moving my upside down catfish in here (since they are African like the congos) but I discovered (unfortunately) that they like to eat small fish and shrimp. I lost my danios and ghost shrimp. Who'd guess that they could catch something as quick as a danio! They are a lovely fish, though. I guess I should start a journel for that tank, too....

And, Biulu -- thank you for the kind words!

-sondra

 

[smooth_bourbon]

WOW Beautiful setup.

 

[SuperColey1]

Tanks looking Great Sondra.

Like the new avatar, adds a touch of glamour.

Keep up the good work

Andy

 

[john starkey]

Hi Sondra very nice setup i think the key to it is the simplicity everything looks well placed, the plants will fill out beautifully nice job (wow thats american talk) regards john

 

[JamieH]

Your tank has looked amazing at every stage...

I love it.

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

WOW Beautiful setup.

Thanks!

Tanks looking Great Sondra.

Like the new avatar, adds a touch of glamour.

Keep up the good work

Andy

That's my summer avatar! My favorite place to be in the summer is on the lake (not that you can tell there's a lake in the background!)

Hi Sondra very nice setup i think the key to it is the simplicity everything looks well placed, the plants will fill out beautifully nice job (wow thats american talk) regards john

Hee-hee! Yes, very good American-ism you have there!

Your tank has looked amazing at every stage...

I love it.

Thank you. It's funny though, it's changed so much over the course of 13-14 months. What it really comes down to is a pleasing look that's easy to care for. I loved it when there was a tankful of hi-light stem plants (ie, rotala wallichii, diandra, etc....) but like someone else mentioned (Dave?), when the growth is intense, the look you desire only lasts for a week or so. You have to constantly prune, replant, replace, etc. And heaven help you if you miss ANY regular maintenance! It's much easier now and the fish are back to normal. But I do miss the rotala.....maybe I could add just a few stems...