Johnson18's 20L PFR Riparium w/Planted HOB

[johnson18]

Just a quick update!

The otos are still doing well! I haven't added anymore plants. I think I have decided that I am going to go for a Crypt Parva carpet. I've moved around a few other plants, mostly a few of the C. Lucens to one of the front corners.


The plants in the HOB are doing well. I was letting some riccia grow out in my 55, I transferred over a little which was added to the overflow.

I'm definitely going with shrimp in this tank, as that was the whole reason for buying it!! Since the tank really isn't set up for anything besides Neo's I have been checking out some of the higher grade RCS or the orange/pumpkins. I'm thinking that I will get a starter group from a seller here then add another group from a different seller. I want to get a good mix in the gene pool.

Now, for what people really want on here, pictures!













Any suggestions on how to best get rid of the mulm on the substrate? When I syphon out water I try to get it but end up sucking out more of the sand then anything!

[kwheeler91]

More flow/better filtration will take care of that.

[johnson18]

I'm already running two filters, both rated for at least 30 gallon tanks. Hmmm... Maybe I should move one of them...

[kwheeler91]

The filter you have isnt the best for flow rate, not too mention the mesh will slow it down a lot.

[pianofish]

Make sure you get alot of C. Parva if you are looking for a good carpet.
When they say a slow grower they mean it. Often times too when it is first planted a good portion will melt. So buy more than you think that you need. I plan on making a Crypt only 20 long around Easter and thats what I plan on doing as well.
I like the HOB "pot" btw its pretty sweet!

[johnson18]

Originally Posted by kwheeler91

The filter you have isnt the best for flow rate, not too mention the mesh will slow it down a lot.

I'm also running a Fluval U3 on this tank as well. I might see if moving the location of the U3 will help. It is currently on the opposite end of the tank as the HOB, behind the DW.

[johnson18]

Originally Posted by pianofish

Make sure you get alot of C. Parva if you are looking for a good carpet.
When they say a slow grower they mean it. Often times too when it is first planted a good portion will melt. So buy more than you think that you need. I plan on making a Crypt only 20 long around Easter and thats what I plan on doing as well.
I like the HOB "pot" btw its pretty sweet!

Thank for the heads up about the Parva, I've had my eye of it since I got back into the hobby a couple years ago. Getting more then I think I'll need is definitely the plan!

The HOB still needs some attention, it could use some more plants. I'm pleased with its growth though!

What part of LA are you from?

[pianofish]

I'm in Lafayette. Going to college here and trying to get back into all this fishy business haha

[johnson18]

Nice, I spent a couple years in New Orleans.

[pianofish]

Ah cool man, Well I'm gonna make sure to subscribe to your thread. Can't wait to see what you do the tank and how its gonna evolve. I'm trying to take in many different 20 gallon long designs so I'll be ready come Easter to make mine

[johnson18]

So, messing around with my planted HOB really has me thinking. I am seriously considering adding a few hanging planters to this aquarium, I guess turning it into more of a riparium. I don't want to add so many that the plants in the substrate suffer a lack of light. I've checked out some of Hydrophyte's supplies and threads on the topic. I haven't figured out which plants I want to go with yet. Just kind of thinking out loud.

[johnson18]

I picked up another 8 otos today, along with a small amount of dwarf water lettuce, and what I think is a pot of C. Parva. I say I think, because it had no tag, it could be some little bitty C. Lucens I suppose... I'm ordering parva and shrimp over the next few days! Yay!

[pianofish]

Congrats man! I can't wait to see how the parva turns out! Good luck with the planting haha. That's gonna be a lot of little plantlets

[johnson18]

Shrimp have been ordered!! 40 Painted Fire Red Shrimp from Sbarbee! I had originally been thinking about going with orange/pumpkin neos, but decided I'd see how the PFRs do, I can always set up another tank later, I mean I've got enough of a selection sitting around the house, 10, 20L, 20H, 50cube. Haha.
Gordon is checking his Parva stock for me, so we will see...
There are freakin otos everywhere!!! Haha... I may end up moving some into my 55.

[johnson18]

I'm thinking about adding a small powerhead to this tank to see if it will help with the mulm. I think the smallest power head any of my local stores stock is a 500 GPH. Will that be too large/too much flow? I think I'm gonna go ahead and grab one, if it does end up being too much I can order a smaller one and toss the 500 into my 55.