I wanted to share the process of converting my 125g(475 liter) to a riparium. I was inspired by Prototop’s “Apisto Riparium”. The recent discussions regarding plant filtration finally pushed me over the edge. The tank originally housed f1 Archocentrus multispinosa and a group of sailfin mollies. For me, nothing is as interesting as Apistogramma in large tanks.
I am going to let this tank run its course and tinker with the plants instead of the fish. Over time, my plant list will change depending on what does well and what looks the best. Most of the plants will be grown as floaters. A few will be tested out in the shower caddies. I’m planting Echinodorus cordifolius in a shallow pot in the substrate and I hope it will grow above the water line. A big plant order is on its way, I’ll post more pictures once the plants are in the tank.
Fish:
6 Apistogramma cacatuoides "Peru"
A dozen or so Nannostomus marginatus "Peru"
Several endlers livebearers- These will be moved eventually
Below water- I still need more leaf litter and oak limbs. I had to crop the image due to the contrast created from the light reflecting off of the tank walls and water surface.
The Corner filter -3/4 “ PVC, I can send water anywhere in the tank by changing around the plumbing. I'm working on a spray bar that returns the water to planted shower caddies.
The test caddy- I bought some hydroponic expanded clay to test as a plant substrate/wet-dry media.
Across the top of the tank as it stands now:
I am going to let this tank run its course and tinker with the plants instead of the fish. Over time, my plant list will change depending on what does well and what looks the best. Most of the plants will be grown as floaters. A few will be tested out in the shower caddies. I’m planting Echinodorus cordifolius in a shallow pot in the substrate and I hope it will grow above the water line. A big plant order is on its way, I’ll post more pictures once the plants are in the tank.
Fish:
6 Apistogramma cacatuoides "Peru"
A dozen or so Nannostomus marginatus "Peru"
Several endlers livebearers- These will be moved eventually
Below water- I still need more leaf litter and oak limbs. I had to crop the image due to the contrast created from the light reflecting off of the tank walls and water surface.
The Corner filter -3/4 “ PVC, I can send water anywhere in the tank by changing around the plumbing. I'm working on a spray bar that returns the water to planted shower caddies.
The test caddy- I bought some hydroponic expanded clay to test as a plant substrate/wet-dry media.
Across the top of the tank as it stands now:
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