60G Cube S. American Low Tech Planted

South American Biotope-ish Low-Tech (no CO2) Planted Tank

Tank: Rimless 60 G Cube

Lighting: Kessil 160WE Controllable LED Aquarium Light, Tuna Sun (first time using this light--I usually run budget LEDs but am pretty experienced with planted tanks)

Filtration: Probably the Fluval 407 Canister Filter (I've also had success with internal filters, HOBs, and sponges). Temp will likely be around 77F.

Substrate: Aquasoil in rustproof bags under a layer of gravel and decently thick cap of naturally colored sand (MD Fish Tanks style)

Hardscape: This is TOUGH in a cube: need something tall but attractive from at least three sides. Only real wood and rock--natural looking for the Americas. Not a true biotope, but want it real/natural (no dragonstone or malaysian driftwood).

Planting: I want to go with all "American" plants. Again, this isn't a true biotope, but I want to keep the plants New World. No java ferns, no anubias, etc.

Stocking: I have two Blue Acaras (natural, not electric) and a large bristlenose pleco from a previous 65 gallon South American tank I had before I moved. I also want a nice school of Corys and a large school of tetras. I am very open to stocking suggestions!

Interested to see where this one goes. Hoping to get started on it in the next few days, and I will do my best to post regular updates. In the meantime, I'm open to suggestions and reference pics--especially for the planting/hardscape.


Here is a pic of my previous 65 Gallon SA Tank (I found the wood at my local river and it worked well):

 

I think the tank is going to sit in my living room, angled out of this corner for the best head-on viewing from the couch. I've installed the Kessil, but still need to tidy up the cord and play around with the settings. Next step: building up the substrate layer of bagged aquasoil, small gravel, and sand so I can start playing around with hardscape more easily.

One issue I've already run into is the stand: it only has a small hole near the bottom for cords. Guess they didn't anticipate running a canister filter under there? I'd prefer not to see the canister sitting next to the stand, so I'm also considering an internal filter that I can hide with plants/hardscape. I've had good luck in my heavily planted 40 breeder with an internal filter.

 

Cubes have a very problematic downside:

A small footprint.

Especially teritorial species are a constant source of problems if the footprint is too small. In this case it's definitely "Cichlids OR Corydoras".
Tetras also tend to occupy small display territories, which limits the numbers possible.

So my suggestion would be: Stick to the acaras, add a single catfish and maybe a group of pencilfish for the top and some movement. That's all I would put in a tank with that dimensions.

Edit:
Plant suggestions:
Nymphaea lotus (stand-in for SA species), Hydrocotyle leucocephala, Riccia fluitans, Pistia sp., Salvinia sp., Cabomba sp., Egeria densa ...
Echinodorus take up too much space.
And I would also recommend emersed plants.

 

That is a good plan, though I am not sure if the pencilfish might end up being eaten by the acaras, maybe not as they inhabit different parts of the tank, but pencilfish are pretty slim. Hatchetfish, being deep bodied might be safer - but not if you don't have a lid.

 

That is a good plan, though I am not sure if the pencilfish might end up being eaten by the acaras, maybe not as they inhabit different parts of the tank, but pencilfish are pretty slim. Hatchetfish, being deep bodied might be safer - but not if you don't have a lid.

Considered that, would only recommend N. eques, N. unifasciatus and N. beckfordi. The other species are too small indeed. Or maybe Copella?
Hatchets need a bigger footprint, and the jumping problem is of course a given.

 

Hardscape: This is TOUGH in a cube: need something tall but attractive from at least three sides. Only real wood and rock--natural looking for the Americas. Not a true biotope, but want it real/natural (no dragonstone or malaysian driftwood).

It is not tough. Just don't limit the hardscape to the water level, but feel free to let it stick out.

 

I have beckfordi and they are pretty small, I think they would fit in an acara's mouth (the angelfish have not eaten them though). N. eques and unifasciatus are bigger and would probably be OK if you can find them, also Copella, yes the adults are quite a. bit bigger, again they might not be that easy to find? Quite right about the hatchet fish they would not be suitable for such a short tank, even with a lid, and I think they are rather sensitive.