30 Gallon Breeder Scape

[wespastor]

4/5 month old tank. Initally set-up to house Bolivian Rams ...

Trouble getting them locally so switch to apisto's ... specifically Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma agassizi).


Here's some pix ...

Thanks for lookin'

Best wishes,
Wes

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
Looks really good, there are a couple of things you could change, the gravel isn't ideal for Apistos or BR, because they like to "earth eat", you might be able to remove some of the front gravel and replace it with sand? Pool filter sand is best if you can get it. I would go for a bit more cover, you can try dead leaves or more plants. I like 1/2 coconuts for caves, you can plant these with Java fern or moss. Have a search through the threads for preparing these. Caves can also be made from clay pots or saucers, or bits of plastic pipe.

Have a look at ApistoBobs web pages as well:<http://dwarfcichlid.com/Aquarium_care.php>.

cheers Darrel

cheers Darrel

 

[wespastor]

Thanks for that ...

I was woundering about the size if the gravels. The substrate is actually paver leveling sand so there are all kinds of sizes of sands, silts and gravel in it. As for the leaf litter I was planning to use IAL and oak leaves gathered this fall. There is no one here locally that keeps these fish or at least they don't share about it.

As foor the caves I had planned to use those rock caves used for herps maybe three or four of them dispursed and grown around with a variety of plantings.

The next morph for this tank will come over thext 10-12 months when I will eventually move and will try a complete biotope for these fishes. So many of the palnt will have to go out of necessity.

I found a great link for some guidance on the biotope here: http://fish.mongabay.com/biotope_rio_sucasari.htm

Thanks again for the help ... keep your thoughts and ideas coming.

Early Pix:

The HOB Filter pictured was only temporary ... is was later switched to a SunSun 302 Canister Filter.

Best wishes,
Wes