MacZ's Tanks (includes builds for friends)

Well, since last night I officially have two tanks, and there are tanks out there I build or helped building significantly. All pictures by me and posting with permission.

My main tank: South American Blackwater




Tech data
Dimensions: 60x30x45cm
Filtration: Aquaflow 200 (media: sponge, filter floss, biomedia), flow set to 450l/h
Heating: 100 Watt heater set to 24-25°C
Light: build-in-frame 14 watts white LEDs
Substrate: Sand
Fertilizers: root fertilizer cone for the Nymphoides (1x per year)
Water: 50% tap, 50% distilled/RO
water parameters (aimed at): pH 6.4 (6.0), KH 0-1.5 (0), GH 4.5 (4-5)

Animals:
1,0 Apistogramma cf. ortegai "Pebas"
3x Cardinal Tetras (Paracheirodon axelrodi)
X freshwater limpets (Genus Ferrissia)

Plants:
1x Epipremnum aureum (leaves emersed)
1x Anubias barteri var. nana
2x Hydrocotyle leucocephala
X Egeria densa
1x Nymphoides peltata
X Limnobium laevigatum
X Lemna minor
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My secondary tank. Plants only. Basically just a plant container for plant grow-out or temporary keeping. (setup last night)




Tech data
Dimensions: 20x20x25cm
Filtration: none, just an airstone to keep the water somewhat moving
Heating: none (room temp = 18-20°C)
Lights: 2x cheap battery powered LED-spots for the time being
Substrate: black sand
Fertilizers: none
Water: 100% tap

Plants only: Cuttlings of Egeria densa, Ceratophyllum sp. (collected from a river) and Myriophyllum sp. (collected from a river), also holding one of my leftover Anubias barteri var. nana.
And yes, this is a dennerle cube. Friend had that thing just catching dust in their basement. Got it for almost nothing.
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My cousin's paludarium (setup, scape and submersed planting by me)




Tech data
Dimensions: 80x40x45cm
Filtration: DIY filter based on a small divepump (300l/h)
Heating: none at the time of setup
Lights: none at the time of setup
Substrate: submerged part: medium sized gravel, land part: plant media mixed w gravel. (not my choice, worked with what was there)
Fertilizers: none
Water: 100% tap

Animals:
X ramshorn snails
planned: ricefish and shrimp.

Plants:
emersed:
1x Epipremnum aureum
3x Fittonia sp.
4x Dieffenbachia sp.

submersed:
6x Anubias barteri var. nana
1x Bucephalandra sp. "wavy green"
1x Bucephalandra sp. ?
3x Microsorum pteropus
5x Vallisneria gigantea
X Egeria densa
X Lemna minor
______________________________________________________________________________________
My neighbour's South American blackwater inspired tank (plant and stocking choices for makeover partially by me, as well as general advisory)

Original state (long before makeover):
(original stocking: 2 male white angelfish, 4 big clown loaches, 1 SAE)



intermediate state (plants at that stage courtesy of DoubleDutch:




after makeover:







Tech data
Dimensions: 120x30x65cm (bowfront)
Filtration: Eheim canister filter (forgot the model)
Heating: 200 watts heater set to 25°C
Lights: 1x standard LED, 1x plant LED (no idea about the exact specs)
Substrate: black sand
Fertilizers: CO2 injection
Water: 100% tap

Stocking:
1,1,2 Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) incl. at least one pair.
5,6 Emperor Tetras (Nematobrycon palmeri)
8x Corydoras adolfoi (to be stocked up)
1x SAE (leftover from original stocking)
2x Neritina pulligera
planned: 2x Mesonauta festivus and/or 1-2 small L-Number plecos

Plants:
X Egeria densa
X Vallisneria gigantea
X Hydrocotyle leucocephala
X Anubias barteri
X Anubias barteri var. nana
X Rotala sp.
3x Nymphoides sp. "taiwan"

 

Nice tanks! I like the paludarium...really interesting!!

 

View from my desk. Love it.

 

You also started a thread about your tanks - nice!

Now, you have to tell us more about your blackwater tank! Do you plan to get another Apistogramma? And breed them? I actually never heard of that particular species, but I have to admit that I know almost nothing about blackwater species in general.

Cool, that you are trying to help your friend and neighbors with their tanks. The angelfish tank looks much fish-friendlier now.

after makeover:

Although, my first thought was: "ah, they painted it red."

 

You also started a thread about your tanks - nice!

Now, you have to tell us more about your blackwater tank! Do you plan to get another Apistogramma? And breed them? I actually never heard of that particular species, but I have to admit that I know almost nothing about blackwater species in general.

Cool, that you are trying to help your friend and neighbors with their tanks. The angelfish tank looks much fish-friendlier now.

Although, my first thought was: "ah, they painted it red."

My own blackwater tank is linked in my signature. The whole bloody story over the first 6 months. But this here is newer.

I would like to get a female for the apisto, but there are two problems. Really bad availability for that subspecies and I would need a second tank, where I can house one of them for more than some weeks, because they are hard to keep together permanently it seems. The guy is alone because he killed the female and as they were incorrectly labeled at the store it was not possible to get more from there. And I haven't seen the species anywhere in the area or online.

And thank you, there are at least 4 hobbyists in my street alone (my cousin just moved, sadly, with him 5). I am basically the go to guy for the others. I got the know-how for many things and help them with practical DIY solutions if not outright doing the setups. I also always have something the others may need and vice versa. Everyone of us has at least one thing the others can use.

The Angelfish tank has changed definitely for the better. The new Angels have paired off and started to breed already, as do the tetras and soon enough the cories, too (we hope). As he loves Angelfish and clown loaches but the latter outgrew the tank he decided to go Angelfish biotope, meaning blackwater.

 

Very cool. I really want to set up a seasonal paludarium porch tank with native plants. There are a few that grow on my farm that I’d love to try. Ah well, one year I’ll get to that!

 

Really bad availability for that subspecies and I would need a second tank, where I can house one of them for more than some weeks, because they are hard to keep together permanently it seems. The guy is alone because he killed the female and as they were incorrectly labeled at the store it was not possible to get more from there. And I haven't seen the species anywhere in the area or online.

Are all Apistos like this between the male and female? I'm looking to get a pair, but have not heard about this before.

 

Nice job(s) mate

 

Are all Apistos like this between the male and female? I'm looking to get a pair, but have not heard about this before.

No, usually they are not, or at least not that extremely. The species I got looks very close to borelli as juveniles. I got them just before colouring up. At that stage both species look quite similar. Borelli are easy and not very aggressive. I found ortegai fighting quite often and on some other sites that was confirmed.

 

My own blackwater tank is linked in my signature. The whole bloody story over the first 6 months. But this here is newer.

I would like to get a female for the apisto, but there are two problems. Really bad availability for that subspecies and I would need a second tank, where I can house one of them for more than some weeks, because they are hard to keep together permanently it seems. The guy is alone because he killed the female and as they were incorrectly labeled at the store it was not possible to get more from there. And I haven't seen the species anywhere in the area or online.

And thank you, there are at least 4 hobbyists in my street alone (my cousin just moved, sadly, with him 5). I am basically the go to guy for the others. I got the know-how for many things and help them with practical DIY solutions if not outright doing the setups. I also always have something the others may need and vice versa. Everyone of us has at least one thing the others can use.

The Angelfish tank has changed definitely for the better. The new Angels have paired off and started to breed already, as do the tetras and soon enough the cories, too (we hope). As he loves Angelfish and clown loaches but the latter outgrew the tank he decided to go Angelfish biotope, meaning blackwater.

Now, I started searching desparately for the signatures... so they are only on the first post, I see. I still have to learn a lot about this forum . I will definitely look into your blackwater thread later.

Too bad for your apisto female - another victim of domestic violence. What's the problem about a second tank? No space? No money? Transportation issues (for me that's usually the problem).

 

Yeah, the story of that tank is... let's say adventurous and it taught me that I better don't keep any rare or unusual catfish.

All three. I have a 1-room appartment, no car and a freelance teaching job that doesn't make much money these days.

That new 10l cube I got a few days ago (for free nonetheless) is spacewise all that is possible at the moment. I almost got a 60l for free (second hand) lately, but it turned out leaking before I took it. I still wouldn't have known where to put it so until I had figured that out it would have stayed dry anyways.
There is only so much you can do in 20m².

 

Nice tanks!

 

All three. I have a 1-room appartment, no car and a freelance teaching job that doesn't make much money these days.

That new 10l cube I got a few days ago (for free nonetheless) is spacewise all that is possible at the moment. I almost got a 60l for free (second hand) lately, but it turned out leaking before I took it. I still wouldn't have known where to put it so until I had figured that out it would have stayed dry anyways.
There is only so much you can do in 20m².

I see. So those are some hard arguments against another tank.

 

Update on the Paludarium. My cousin managed to pile up the emersed part with more substrate, thus raising the waterline and added a corner-mattenfilter. I'm proud of that guy.

 

Update on the Paludarium. My cousin managed to pile up the emersed part with more substrate, thus raising the waterline and added a corner-mattenfilter. I'm proud of that guy.

View attachment 738381

I’m taking notes!

 

Update on the planted cube:

Had to move it from under the main tank to my desk. It was impractical down there with only a few cm of space above it. Also switched the lights to an ordinary LED desk lamp.
Plantwise I moved my last leftover Anubias to that tank aswell and a few more cuttlings of the Egeria, that I accidently uprooted in the main tank.

 

Time to dig up this thread.

Yesterday I helped my neighbour and good friend moving his tank to his new place. Sadly, while focusing on family matters (which I support usually), he had somewhat neglected the tank. Mostly due to being only there for a day a week. Usually I would look after the tank sometimes, when he had no time. But the past few months he was so busy he didn't ask me.
While the tank could have likely run for another 2 months without problems, only feeding once a week was going to cost him more fish to starvation than it already did. When we started yesterday morning we decided to euthanize two emperor tetras that were already on their last legs.
So he decided to move the tank prior to completely moving in with his partner, and asked me to help. Right on time if you ask me. I know now he will be able to care for the tank again, and I will kick him if he doesn't.


The tank at the old place. Just emptied of all but water and substrate.


The vats we put the fish in for the day. Both contained a good chunk of pennywort for cover, one ran on a Nano filter, the other on an airpump. To make sure no waste products build up we used a handful per vat of a mix of activated carbon and zeolite. That's one of the few uses of that stuff I recon useful.


As there was no seat left in the car I had to go to the new place by bus. When I arrived, this mirky soup awaited me. The filter had to work almost an hour until I could start scaping. My friend had some guests over as it was his birthday yesterday, so as a gift I offered to do all the scaping and planting and finish up the tank until the fish could move in. Honestly, I was in my element, so I didn't mind.


Three hours later, almost 12 hours after we started in the morning. Still all mirky, fish a bit stressed, but everything went relatively smoothely.




And this morning after it all has cleared up. Thanks to my friend for sending over the pictures. I was anxious scaping the tank almost blindly worked. As one can see, it worked.

Details are listed somewhere above in this thread.
Current stock:
- 4 Pterophyllum scalare (domestic)
- 12 Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma
- 6 or 8 Nematobrycon palmeri
- 8 Corydoras aeneus
- 1 (ancient, 10+ years) Crossocheilus oblongus

Plants:
- Vallisneria gigantea
- Anubias barteri
- Anubias barteri var. nana
- Hydrocotyle leucocephala
- Egeria densa

I donated some of my plants additionally, as many of the old ones had to be tossed.
- Nymphaea lotus
- Salvinia auriculata
- Limnobium laevigatum
- Pistia stratiotes

Edit: The Vallisneria are still descendants of a big delivery by DoubleDutch in early 2020.

 

I wish I could get some tank maintenance for my birthday…

Nice job, tank looks great.

 

Looking great! I like all the structure in there.

Your friend must have incredible aim, as there’s a dart board right next to the fish tank.

...and please don’t kick him!

 

Your friend must have incredible aim, as there’s a dart board right next to the fish tank.

The board is going to be moved soon, or will only stay as decoration. But he actually is a good dart player.

...and please don’t kick him!

Just to the shin. I have permission from his partner.

I wish I could get some tank maintenance for my birthday…

Pay the flight and give me a place to sleep for 1-2 nights and I'll come over.

 

Pay the flight and give me a place to sleep for 1-2 nights and I'll come over.

I have three spare air beds so there’s more than enough. I can give you one of them as payment for the flight.

 

Won't suffice, sorry. I have one already, don't need another one.

I think it should be clear, that this was not meant absolutely sincere.

 

I think it should be clear, that this was not meant absolutely sincere.

I mean, my birthday is in three days, so it wouldn’t have happened in time for mine. I wasn’t being too sincere either. Lol.

Anyways, to conclude, you did well on revamping your friend’s tank. Job’s a good one.

 

Looks really nice! A lot of work...but it turned out well!

 

Just found this thread nice tanks

 

Time to dig up this thread.

Yesterday I helped my neighbour and good friend moving his tank to his new place. Sadly, while focusing on family matters (which I support usually), he had somewhat neglected the tank. Mostly due to being only there for a day a week. Usually I would look after the tank sometimes, when he had no time. But the past few months he was so busy he didn't ask me.
While the tank could have likely run for another 2 months without problems, only feeding once a week was going to cost him more fish to starvation than it already did. When we started yesterday morning we decided to euthanize two emperor tetras that were already on their last legs.
So he decided to move the tank prior to completely moving in with his partner, and asked me to help. Right on time if you ask me. I know now he will be able to care for the tank again, and I will kick him if he doesn't.

View attachment 812547 The tank at the old place. Just emptied of all but water and substrate.

View attachment 812555 The vats we put the fish in for the day. Both contained a good chunk of pennywort for cover, one ran on a Nano filter, the other on an airpump. To make sure no waste products build up we used a handful per vat of a mix of activated carbon and zeolite. That's one of the few uses of that stuff I recon useful.

View attachment 812556 As there was no seat left in the car I had to go to the new place by bus. When I arrived, this mirky soup awaited me. The filter had to work almost an hour until I could start scaping. My friend had some guests over as it was his birthday yesterday, so as a gift I offered to do all the scaping and planting and finish up the tank until the fish could move in. Honestly, I was in my element, so I didn't mind.

View attachment 812557 Three hours later, almost 12 hours after we started in the morning. Still all mirky, fish a bit stressed, but everything went relatively smoothely.

View attachment 812549View attachment 812550View attachment 812551 And this morning after it all has cleared up. Thanks to my friend for sending over the pictures. I was anxious scaping the tank almost blindly worked. As one can see, it worked.

Details are listed somewhere above in this thread.
Current stock:
- 4 Pterophyllum scalare (domestic)
- 12 Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma
- 6 or 8 Nematobrycon palmeri
- 8 Corydoras aeneus
- 1 (ancient, 10+ years) Crossocheilus oblongus

Plants:
- Vallisneria gigantea
- Anubias barteri
- Anubias barteri var. nana
- Hydrocotyle leucocephala
- Egeria densa

I donated some of my plants additionally, as many of the old ones had to be tossed.
- Nymphaea lotus
- Salvinia auriculata
- Limnobium laevigatum
- Pistia stratiotes

Edit: The Vallisneria are still descendants of a big delivery by DoubleDutch in early 2020.

Looks great! You’re a wonderful friend!