New 125g Community - "Stump" Driftwood Planted Build

[Jamieson22]

That looks like a salad bar for a severum. Though I have seen hobbyists say their sevs don't eat their plants

LOL
I've also heard hobbyists say their EBA didn't eat 40+ rummynose tetras, but here I am

So, what WILL work for me?

 

[Thurgood11]

I vote a pair of apistos plus another type.

 

[tyguy7760]

Rummys are often a suggestion with cichlids but I've seen way to many folks with a similar experience to ever suggest them again.

Are you looking for big cichlids or something in the middle size. You could try a chocolate. I'm not sure what they will do with plants. Or some of the mid size Central Americans like rainbows, a thorichthys species, or sajicas.

In general, plant eating cichlids will usually leave ferns and anubias like plants alone. But anacharis, sags, Vals, or other soft leaved plants will be gone shortly.

One other thing that you could try if you were up for it ...if you feed your severums enough vegetable matter they may leave your plants alone. so if you were up for the task of feeding them some zucchinI or romaine lettuce several times a week then they would likely leave your plants alone

 

[Jamieson22]

One other thing that you could try if you were up for it ...if you feed your severums enough vegetable matter they may leave your plants alone. so if you were up for the task of feeding them some zucchinI or romaine lettuce several times a week then they would likely leave your plants alone

Yeah not sure I'd want to risk my plant tank to the success of "dither vegetables" as would not enjoy if it failed.

So perhaps rainbow cichlid would work as am looking more towards small/mid size. Would I shoot for a pair or more? I prefer not having singles if possible.

 

[TexasDomer]

I would only do a single rainbow, but you could do a group of festivums?

Though truthfully, after seeing the activity in your tank, I'd add more bottom dwellers, a school, and call it quits. Your tank looks full of centerpiece fish already.

 

[Jamieson22]

I would only do a single rainbow, but you could do a group of festivums?

Though truthfully, after seeing the activity in your tank, I'd add more bottom dwellers, a school, and call it quits. Your tank looks full of centerpiece fish already.

There are 20 or so cory in there as well as a pair of L129, they are just all hidden in plants, etc. Do you suggest bumping up the cory or something else for bottom?

3 Pearls are generally at the top, though I do plan to add 1-2 more.

3 angels in mid, though I do plan to add 1 more.

4 EBA are mostly in the low-mid area.

They were all near top when I took photos as they thought I was going to feed them

If we are back to school thinking it would be Diamond or Congo? Are Emperor too small? Guess I could do a school of rainbowfish, though had trouble with Dwarf Neon in past and had to return to LFS so I didn't lose them all.

Would a single rainbow cichlid be too much in addition to a school?

 

[Brian Rodgers]

Sorry for the fish losses, but heck yeah that is an amazing tank. I could stare at it for hours... a Daydreamer's paradise it is.

 

[slayer5590]

How about Bleeding heart or Columbian tetras, Denison's barbs or one of the Dawkinsia species for a schooler?

 

[tyguy7760]

Pearl gourami? I'd be cautious with festivum and gourami together. Not saying impossible but they will occupy the same area and festivum can get a little aggro as can the pearls in the off chance.

I think a single rainbow would be fine. Maybe a pair. But yeah I think you are pretty stocked at that point with 4 eventual angels and 4 ebas and 5 or more pearls.

I think diamonds, lemons, or congos would be fine

 

[TexasDomer]

There are 20 or so cory in there as well as a pair of L129, they are just all hidden in plants, etc. Do you suggest bumping up the cory or something else for bottom?

3 Pearls are generally at the top, though I do plan to add 1-2 more.

3 angels in mid, though I do plan to add 1 more.

4 EBA are mostly in the low-mid area.

They were all near top when I took photos as they thought I was going to feed them

If we are back to school thinking it would be Diamond or Congo? Are Emperor too small? Guess I could do a school of rainbowfish, though had trouble with Dwarf Neon in past and had to return to LFS so I didn't lose them all.

Would a single rainbow cichlid be too much in addition to a school?

You can definite add more cories. They would appreciate that I'm sure.

I forgot about the pearls, so yeah, maybe just add a single rainbow cichlid instead of other cichlids.

Emperor tetra are likely too small. Diamond or Congo tetra would be great, or you could do a school of Boesemani.

 

[Jamieson22]

How about Bleeding heart or Columbian tetras, Denison's barbs or one of the Dawkinsia species for a schooler?

I LOVE Denison's but don't think they do well at 80F

Pearl gourami? I'd be cautious with festivum and gourami together. Not saying impossible but they will occupy the same area and festivum can get a little aggro as can the pearls in the off chance.

I think a single rainbow would be fine. Maybe a pair. But yeah I think you are pretty stocked at that point with 4 eventual angels and 4 ebas and 5 or more pearls.

I think diamonds, lemons, or congos would be fine

My Pearl are all chill and def don't want to add anything that will disrupt them. I had 4 but lost one recently. Perhaps will just leave them at 3 for now and add 1-2 rainbow cichlids.

You can definite add more cories. They would appreciate that I'm sure.

I forgot about the pearls, so yeah, maybe just add a single rainbow cichlid instead of other cichlids.

Emperor tetra are likely too small. Diamond or Congo tetra would be great, or you could do a school of Boesemani.

Will probably go with diamond or congo. Have had my eye on both for a long time but decided instead on the rummy. Wah-wah-waaaahhhhh What do you think, 10 or so?

 

[TexasDomer]

Should be fine! Though again, I'd go with a single rainbow over two.

 

[Jamieson22]

Alright then, thanks for all the help and advise everyone! To current stock will be adding (not all at once):
1 Rainbow Cichlid
10-12 Congo or Diamond Tetra
1 Angel
1 Pearl Gourami (maybe)
?? Cory Aeneus
?? Cory Sterbai

 

[vikingkirken]

Your tank is absolutely beautiful! Feels like it's crying out for something red... but maybe that's just me. I do think diamond or congo tetras would both be gorgeous in there.

 

[Jamieson22]

Your tank is absolutely beautiful! Feels like it's crying out for something red... but maybe that's just me. I do think diamond or congo tetras would both be gorgeous in there.

100% agree - needs red, orange or yellow, especially losing the red from the rummynose. Am thinking once I get my CO2 running I SHOULD be able to get some more color (red) out of plants.

If I am not mistaken, a rainbow cichlid will hopefully be yellow/orange/gold. Congo will bring a more orange/blue tint vs diamond being more a sparkling silver, no? And I am planning to add a Koi angel to get more black/orange.

What would you recommend to improve it? Always open to advice!

 

[vikingkirken]

You may be on the right track with the plants idea. A dwarf tiger lotus would add some awesome reds. The other fish you're planning should add some warm colors as well, as you said. While you could add a school of millennium rainbowfish, I think the tetras would be a better fit with your stock.

 

[Jamieson22]

Hope to spend some time getting my CO2 running today. It has been sitting in a pile next to tank for too long!

 

[tyguy7760]

Diamonds do have predominantly silver but once mature they will develop a small rainbow colored stripe the length of their body. I'll try to find a pic of my old batch

 

[Jamieson22]

Diamonds do have predominantly silver but once mature they will develop a small rainbow colored stripe the length of their body. I'll try to find a pic of my old batch

Thanks, would appreciate it! I was thinking I'd order from Imperial Tropicals as I had really good luck with my EBA from them. They don't have Congo but do have Diamond - they also have rainbow so would likely get them both at once. Is 15 tetra too many?

 

[tyguy7760]

One thing with diamonds they are a bit bigger than your average tetras. Not as big as congos but bigger than something like lemons. They also are aggressive eaters. I call them swarmers because they attack the food with vengence. I kept 12 in my 75 and quickly downgraded to 8 because they fill out a tank quickly. My suggestion would be to start with 8 or 10 then play it by ear

 

[Jamieson22]

Is she getting ready to lay eggs?

Noticed the extended white chute this morning and she and a male seem to be chasing everyone away from a rock in corner of tank.

 

[Anders247]

Sounds like it to me.

 

[Lchi87]

She definitely looks like it! How exciting!

 

[Jamieson22]

Picked up my Imperial Tropicals package at the post office yesterday morning:

• 10 Diamond Tetra
• 3 GBR
• 1 Rainbow Cichlid

They were shipped Wednesday form FL to IL and all arrived looking good. Ended up just plopping them right into tank and then had to run to Wrigley Field to see Dead & Co so didn't get to watch them much. Did have 1 diamond sort of swimming a bit funny and a ram was sitting at the bottom on sand, but today everyone seems alive and well.

I do have to say the stock from Imperials seems a step above anything I've seen local. Better colors, better fin structure/shape, etc. The GBR seemed a tad expensive to what I can get local but now I understand why. They have amazing colors already and their body/fin shape is perfect. Well worth considering if anyone needs to order fish (they may still have $10 off $55 + free shipping code on their Facebook page). Will get some pics up soon.

 

[Jamieson22]

 

[Jamieson22]

<Dupe>

 

[Anders247]

The ram looks great!

 

[Jamieson22]

Notice anything off about this GBR?

 

[Thurgood11]

Disappearing fins?

 

[Jamieson22]

Disappearing fins?

Took me a minute to realize what was wrong with him - missing fins! Imperial already refunded. Hopefully he'll be fine as is as he seems healthy otherwise. They assume just a deformity.

 

[vikingkirken]

That is just crazy... I can't believe they're entirely missing! Hopefully you weren't planning to breed these guys?

 

[Jamieson22]

Took a but of a closer look at the small pit one of my EBA had created only to find it full of wrigglers!

 

[SomethingsFishy1]

How’s the tank looking now?

 

[Jamieson22]

How’s the tank looking now?

It is looking like a jungle. It needs a major trim and replant as I pretty much have a forest of hygro blue! It has been on my list to do for a few months just never find the time. Also want to order new plants to add at same time but weather is too cold. When I do, I am going to try to remove the rocks zip tied to my driftwood. Last time I tried it still wanted to float.

CO2 addition is still on my to do list as well - so I am still low-tech. Have all the parts just haven’t had the time.

Here are some pics of it now. Would love any input on changes I could make!:

 

[TexasDomer]

For the leggy plants on the left (and some on the right as well), I'd trim and replant so there's not so much competition for light, and you'll reduce the leggy appearance of the stem plants (and prevent that from happening more).

 

[Jamieson22]

For the leggy plants on the left (and some on the right as well), I'd trim and replant so there's not so much competition for light, and you'll reduce the leggy appearance of the stem plants (and prevent that from happening more).

That is definitely the plan. Most of the left side started a small clippings from previous trims. Now that it is a bit more established am hoping to cut and replant so it isn't so leggy. I think it is the willow hygro that is the worst. I can't seem to get it to be bushy at all - Ends up a 2' stem with 8 leaves on top :/

 

[TexasDomer]

Sounds like your lighting isn't strong enough for it then - the bottom of the stems aren't getting enough light.

 

[Jamieson22]

Sounds like your lighting isn't strong enough for it then - the bottom of the stems aren't getting enough light.

I have a pair of BeamsWork DHL 1W 6500k on it. Everything I have seem indicates it should be plenty of light.

There is a thread on The Planted Tank showing 56 PAR at 22” for the 48” model.

But I agree - leggy makes me think not enough light. Here is side view. That area also gets sunlight from southern facing windows most days.

 

[RedLoredAmazon]

I think a couple of crypts would look nice in your tank. It looks like so many plants are tall but not too many that are closer to the bottom of the tank.

 

[TexasDomer]

Well right, even though the specs make it seem like it should be enough, the plants are telling a different story PAR decreases through the glass, where in the tank the plants are, if tannins are in the tank, etc.

You can see where the sunlight hits, the wisteria is low and full. This suggests it is getting enough light from the Beamswork and sun together. However, I would say your leggy plants aren't getting enough light near the substrate.

 

[Brian Rodgers]

Fascinating evaluation TexasDomer. Thank you. I believe my tank has a similar issue. I'll look more closely at my set-up to see where the brief period of sunshine hits and compare it to the areas not hit by sunlight.

 

[Jamieson22]

I spent a few hours with my arms in the tank last night. Yanked most plants out to trim and replant. Had to throw a lot away as cold temps would prevent mailing them to share very easily.

The blue hygro that was just to right of stump. Shoe for scale.



Java fern has been multiplying. Was finding lots of baby plants in the hygro pile.





Tank redone. Will try to get better pics this eve since tank has cleared a lot. This process stirred up a lot of trapped matter. Still have a bit of trimming to do in left front side. Also need to add more root tabs.

 

[Jamieson22]

I think a couple of crypts would look nice in your tank. It looks like so many plants are tall but not too many that are closer to the bottom of the tank.

Agree 100% with you! I had a bunch of small crypts some time ago but they slowly disappeared/died off. Def plan to order more! Would also like to get some moss going.

 

[TexasDomer]

When it's warmer, feel free to share some of that Hygro

Tank looks great!

 

[Jamieson22]

When it's warmer, feel free to share some of that Hygro

Tank looks great!

It is crazy how much different it looks now versus a few days ago - kind of like shaving a beard after having it for a long time! Now it seems barren and not at al the look I am after. I'll need to work on getting some dense masses of plants going. Also like to get some colors other than green.

And if this trim showed me anything, it is that I can grow the heck out of some hygro! Will happily share when it recovers!

 

[Jamieson22]

Updated pic and a side view.

 

[Zoomo]

Hello Jamieson22 I only have a betta and am very new to fish keeping at all, but I read every page of this thread, went along with you for the ride. I didn't know what a lot of what you all were talking about so googled everything I didn't know. Your tank is gorgeous and the commitment to maintain it must be astronomical, not only in labor, but in cost. I love it. I agree it needs a bit more color, but my favorite shade is blues, but absolutely gorgeous. Oh, and can't wait to see those little babies as they grow up.

 

[Jamieson22]

Hello Jamieson22 I only have a betta and am very new to fish keeping at all, but I read every page of this thread, went along with you for the ride. I didn't know what a lot of what you all were talking about so googled everything I didn't know. Your tank is gorgeous and the commitment to maintain it must be astronomical, not only in labor, but in cost. I love it. I agree it needs a bit more color, but my favorite shade is blues, but absolutely gorgeous. Oh, and can't wait to see those little babies as they grow up.

It was not too long ago that I bought a 5 gallon tank "for my kids" - and look at me now! LOL

Am so glad you found this thread useful. I learned most of what I know from this forum and similar build threads I aspired to be like!

While I bet the expense would certainly surprise me if I added it up, other that initial purchase, it isn't that bad. Also, maintenance on a tank this size is fairly easy. I use a Python to change water which basically has me vacuuming for 10 minutes or less, then propping it to drain the rest of the water. To refill, I just switch the vac to the filling hook, set water temp and faucet and turn nozzle to start refilling hands free. Takes about an hour - most of that being passive time. Canister cleaning is done a few times a year and takes maybe 1.5h. Trimming and replanting is obviously something I should stay on top of more but figure 1h a month would be a good time to spend.

 

[Jamieson22]

How about a stocking check as it has been some time and I always love the advice of the forum! Currently have:

• 2 EBA
• 1 Rainbow Cichlid
  
• 4 Angel
• 4 Pearl Gourami
• 8 Diamond Tetra
• 1 L129 Hypancistrus
• 8-10 (?) Cory Aeneus
• 4-6 (?) Cory Sterbai
• 6 Oto
• 4 SAE
• 4 Nerite snails

I plan to add 8 or so sterbaI to make up for some losses over time. Also my cory aeneus are mostly albino with a few bronze. Have not seen bronze locally lately but when I do, plan to add 6 or so. Will also need to get better counts the next few feedings as they hide in nooks a lot. I had no clue I had 6 oto till I trimmed. Think they were living in the hygro mass.

I previously tried some GBR but never had long term success with them. Finally gave up. Maybe apisto as an option?

Love my rainbow and EBA, but guessing am done on cichlid.

Recently lost one of my L129. Had been seeing them both out an about way more in recent months (one literally hid in stump all day). Looked healthy as can be then one day found one dead So maybe and another hypancistrus over any other pleco type?

Any other stock ideas?

Also, had set my tank at 80F due to the plan to keep GBR. Should I lower a tad now?

Edit to call out Anders247 and TexasDomer for stock help

 

[Jamieson22]

Well it certainly took me long enough between the acquisition and implementation phases but I am finally running CO2!

Reactor can tuck behind my stand but plan to leave it out for awhile to ensure there are no leaks. I also plumbed it using two full runs of FX 6 tubing at 13 feet each which is certainly way longer than needed but it doesn’t seem to affect my flow. Works for now!