Swamp tank

[Bling]

This Swamp Tank idea is very interesting. I've been really interested in starting a brackish tank, really small, for a couple of bumblebee gobies (which aren't even available---my plan is to beg the store to order them for me when I'm ready). I did get a fantastic mangrove goby from a nearby brackish gulch (I live on Maui), but returned it the next day because I couldn't figure out how to filter the water when it was so shallow. (It's a great fish. Ate right away, and glared at us with a lot of character.) Can you explain what you mean by "hooking up a pump"? Also, can anyone help me with adjusting my water? I have to use rainwater, and it's VERY SOFT and LOW pH and LOW alkalinity. The goby's gulch water was just the opposite; but there was water coming in from above, where there's a lot of sugarcane fields, and fertilizer. I read somewhere about using shells or coral sand in the filter itself. How do you do that? I've really tried to understand all those chemistry articles, but I'm having a hard time. I took a lot of biology in school, but not chemistry.

 

[Wyld-Fyre]

Thanks for your input everyone.

Ninjasmurf, it doesn't matter if he's a vulcan, you both have the same hobbies. Good luck you two!

fishdudein, you're star! 'Miracle mud', I'll have to find out about this. If only I had the room to build a really big tank. I'd have all sorts of animals. Once, I was actually thinking of having an entire wall turned into an aquarium/swamp/forest/'tree' canopy setting, but I don't think my neighbours would appreciate weird animal sounds coming through the walls!

I think you're right about the terrapins stirring up the mud substrate, but I have sneaky feeling they also can be carnivorous to small fishes. Ninjasmurfs' idea of having a circulatory water system is a fine idea.

Bling, you can't believe how envious I am of you living in Maui! Green with envy!

Thanks again all!