20g Long Riparium/nano Fish Community Build

Hey all,

In the process of upgrading my current 10 gallon with a 20 gallon long, and I thought this would be a good chance to set it up as a riparium, since most of the costs of initial setup are taken care of from the 10g.

So in the long run, I'm hoping to set this up as a journal of my progress though the build this summer. Right now I'm just in the planning stages, so I am open to opinions. Please let me know what you think, and any ideas would be appreciated!

So, here's what I have so far:

Tank:
20g long

Filtration:
Marina S15 Power Filter (rated for 15g)
Sponge Filter (rated for 10g) - cycled

Heat:
50w Heater (may add additional as needed after the summer months)

Planters:
Shower Caddy - considering the one below...

Terracotta Pots

Hardscape:
Dragon Stone
Spider Wood

Substrate:
Sand (Root tabs as needed)

Fauna (from 10g):
6 Ember Tetras
2 Pygmy Cories
2 RCS
1 Nerite Snail

20g Fauna Plan (additional numbers and additional species):
12 Ember Tetras
5 Pygmy Cories
10 RCS
1 Nerite Snail
POSSIBLE NEW ADDITIONS (not all, but all contenders)
6 Clown Killis OR Dwarf Pencilfish
1-3 Peacock Gudgeons
6 CPDs OR Emerald Dwarf Rasboras
2-3 Endlers
2-3 WCMMs
1 Clown Pleco
2-3 Freshwater Pom Pom Crabs?

So mostly what I'm looking for is a nano community... lots of different little species. Some of these fit that... others don't. Open to suggestions!

Flora (from 10g):
3 Anubias plants (1 anubias nana petite)
2-3 Crypts
+8 Vals (unsure variety...)
Java Moss
Spider Plant (emersed)
POSSIBLE NEW ADDITIONS - submerged
More crypts
More anubias
Pennywort
POSSIBLE NEW ADDITIONS - emersed/riparium
Crypts & Anubias
Wandering Jew
Sweet Flag

So this is what I have so far. Basically everything is open to change thus far, so I'm open to ideas, but I'd like to keep my current 10 gallon stock to move over. I'd especially like input on new plants, specifically the riparium plants.

I'll be uploading diagrams hopefully tomorrow, with more details of what I'm picturing...

I know this is a long post... hopefully you made it all the way to the end! Thanks!

 

I would upgrade you filter. You want something that runs at 160-200 gph.

 

I would upgrade you filter. You want something that runs at 160-200 gph.

Gotcha. Even if I have a sponge filter running in addition, I would still want that high of turnover from the HOB?

Is there a HOB you recommend?

 

So I think I'm gonna move up to a Marina S20, which has more room in the back for customization (and planting!). Not sure if it has higher flow rate, but I think the sponge filters (I keep 2 in the 10 gallon that will be moving over) will make up for that.

 

Went out and picked up my 20 gallon today at Pet Supplies Plus! Dollar Per Gallon!

Been working on some research:

Stocking:
12 Ember Tetras
5 Pygmy Cories
6 Clown Killifish
1 Peacock Gudgeon

Sosays I can basically double the number of fish here... any opinions? Might add more nano species...

Emersed Plants:
Wandering Jew
Polka Dot Plant

Also, I'm looking for a plant with taller stems, so the roots can be in the substrate, and the leaves can extend above the waterline. Any suggestions? Would need to be around 12" tall...

 

Chinese evergreen, aka aglaonema, would probably fit that bill. It's also great for nitrate reduction. I've also grown what I believe is arrowhead vine emersed (in sand-capped soil), and it does quite well. I actually have it growing in a vase of water in my kitchen at the moment... nice long stems and pretty leaves.

 

Chinese evergreen, aka aglaonema, would probably fit that bill. It's also great for nitrate reduction. I've also grown what I believe is arrowhead vine emersed (in sand-capped soil), and it does quite well. I actually have it growing in a vase of water in my kitchen at the moment... nice long stems and pretty leaves.

They both look great! I've got a cat though... both are listed as poisonous... I'd be happy if I'm wrong though!

As of right now, I'm thinking of doing play sand substrate, with root tabs when needed (below crypts and any other root feeders). Will that work for emersed growth, or should I start thinking about dirt?

 

That'll probably work, but dirt does make for some great plant growth. As long as you don't have digging fish, I'd give dirt some serious consideration. I've used Miracle Gro Organic Choice Potting Mix which is popular for dirted tanks.

I have cats and I grow both of these, but they've never given either more than a nibble. The first reaction these plants produce is oral irritation, so I think my cats learned to stay away before they actually ingested any. But, you have to make that call for yourself of course!

 

I'll have to think about dirt then...

Thanks for forwarding on your experience... I've been slowly selling off some pothos that I didn't realize is poisonous for quite awhile... cat never touched the stuff, so I'll have to think about it...

How tall have you been growing it?

 

Which one? The aglaonema and arrowhead get to about 12" tall, and the pothos grows bigger and better in my tank filter than I've ever gotten it to grow in a pot...

 

I've had really good luck with pothos in my 20 gallon high filter... grows like a weed! Mine doesn't act like a vine though... always sprouts new leaves from its base. Whenever I pull out a sponge to clean it, I have to slowly remove roots haha.

Alaonema and arrowhead sound like they would fit the bill... I want to plant them in the substrate on the bottom of the tank, and let them grow to the surface (~9 inches). I think the effect would be like trees in a forest, creating a canopy above the water.