"El Rio Pico" 20g SA. Biotope Riparium RIP

RipariumGuy · 11-03-2009, 02:57 AM

Yep, I am starting a riparium! After looking at Hydrophyte's, Hoppy's and Sewingalot's, I just couldn't resist! I still have alot to learn, so please bear with me!

Tank's Stats'

Lighting: hydroponics T5HO flourecent strip light (as of 12\16\09)

Filteration: Mini-Jet 404 powerhead with DIY pre-filter (as of 4/10/10)

Fertilization: EI doseing with dry fertilizers. (As of 2/10)

Subtrate: Pool filter sand (As of 1/10)

Tank: 20g high

Fauna: None

Flora:
Dieffenbachia x2
Lost of Pileas
peace lilly (Spathiphyllum sp)
baby panda bamboo

Decor': driftwood, lots of slate

Recent problems: Brown algae

FTS 12/09

FTS 2/10

FTS 3/11/10

FTS 3/22/10

FTS 4/11/10
All comments and suggestions are welcome!

RipariumGuy · 11-03-2009, 02:58 AM

REALLY sorry about the bad pics!

**Hoppy** · 11-03-2009, 04:24 AM

Congratulations for taking the plunge into ripariums! You will very likely never regret it.

A few suggestions: If that heater is a standard one it will work fine turned on its side down near the bottom of the tank. And, I think I wouldn't use that filter - more filtration than you need for a riparium, in my opinion. Perhaps a smaller one, again turned on its side, or a powerhead with a sponge on the inlet would work better.

Just on general principles, I would never put a TV under an aquarium, because of possible water leaks. Could you wall mount the TV? I did that once with a bigger one, and it worked great.

hydrophyte · 11-03-2009, 05:16 AM

Another option for the heater and filter would be to hang them on one of the side panels. They will be less prominent there and also free up more real estate along the rear panel for plants.

RipariumGuy · 11-03-2009, 12:18 PM

I know I have to ditch the filter, but It works for right now. As for the heater, I hand'nt thought of that! I'll try it tonight. The TV, I plan to move to another shelf. once I get the extention cord.

Now, it does'nt look good with out plants. So, could I get the plants, and then the light?
Thanks,
Jake

hydrophyte · 11-03-2009, 02:45 PM

Plants would probably alright for a few days with just ambient room light, but you would want to get the fixture soon.

RipariumGuy · 11-03-2009, 03:17 PM

If I had my old flourecent tube over the tank, could the plants survive for longer?

**Hoppy** · 11-03-2009, 03:31 PM

You could try something like this:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ta...tml#post932414
Even one of these clamp-on lights, with a 26 watt bulb could keep the plants going for a few weeks.

hydrophyte · 11-03-2009, 04:12 PM

Any little bit of light that you could give them while you wait to get the brighter fixture would be OK. The plants that I was going to send in your box are low/moderate light varieties.

demonbreedr16 · 11-03-2009, 06:13 PM

Cool! Good luck...one of these days, my riparium will be started...but for now, I'm just going to order the starting supplies & plants and just have the plants in a sunny window.

RipariumGuy · 11-03-2009, 08:17 PM

Thanks Kenny, I need all the luck I can get!

The fish are getting their color back and swimming together again. Its probably pretty stressfull having half your living space gone, and every thing rearranged!
Regards,
Jake

RipariumGuy · 11-04-2009, 03:39 PM

I moved the TV last night, but other than that no progress. All I need now is some cash.

Thanks for looking,
Jake

RipariumGuy · 11-04-2009, 05:48 PM

I just found out that I will be gone on vacation for about two and a half weeks, during christmass break. I will have someone watching the dog\tank, but since the person watching them has no planted aquarium knowledge, I am going to leave the tank "un-planted" untill I get back. Just to be safe!

I rearranged everthing, (like you guys suggested,) putting the filter on the right glass panel, submersing the heater sidways, and adding some more rockwork. My plan (not like you havent heard it a million times!) is to get the T5 light, then wait to get the planters from Riparium Supply and plants untill after I get back. Does that sound right? Also, how can I releave some of my fish's stress, without useing chemicals? A little black-out and more hiding places maybe?

Regards,
Jake

Ariel301 · 11-04-2009, 05:57 PM

What kind of fish are they?

RipariumGuy · 11-04-2009, 06:00 PM

The tanks inhabitants are a breeding pair of Convict's. I know that is a little over crouded, but I am giving it a shot!

11-03-2009, 02:57 AM	#1
RipariumGuy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin Posts: 3,614	"El Rio Pico" 20g SA. Biotope Riparium RIP Yep, I am starting a riparium! After looking at Hydrophyte's, Hoppy's and Sewingalot's, I just couldn't resist! I still have alot to learn, so please bear with me! Tank's Stats' Lighting: hydroponics T5HO flourecent strip light (as of 12\16\09) Filteration: Mini-Jet 404 powerhead with DIY pre-filter (as of 4/10/10) Fertilization: EI doseing with dry fertilizers. (As of 2/10) Subtrate: Pool filter sand (As of 1/10) Tank: 20g high Fauna: None Flora: Dieffenbachia x2 Lost of Pileas peace lilly (Spathiphyllum sp) baby panda bamboo Decor': driftwood, lots of slate Recent problems: Brown algae FTS 12/09 FTS 2/10 FTS 3/11/10 FTS 3/22/10 FTS 4/11/10 All comments and suggestions are welcome! __________________ "My next hobby is going to be tearing up $100 bills while simultaneously banging my head against a wall and flooding my basement." "Ask not what the hobby can do for you, but what you can do the the hobby" - ScapeFu The Jake-arium Wabi-Kusa Pimp #3 Last edited by RipariumGuy; 10-07-2010 at 01:34 AM.. Reason: Adding plants ECT!

11-03-2009, 02:58 AM	#2
RipariumGuy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin Posts: 3,614	REALLY sorry about the bad pics! __________________ "My next hobby is going to be tearing up $100 bills while simultaneously banging my head against a wall and flooding my basement." "Ask not what the hobby can do for you, but what you can do the the hobby" - ScapeFu The Jake-arium Wabi-Kusa Pimp #3

11-03-2009, 04:24 AM	#3
Hoppy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (53/100%) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 17,206	Congratulations for taking the plunge into ripariums! You will very likely never regret it. A few suggestions: If that heater is a standard one it will work fine turned on its side down near the bottom of the tank. And, I think I wouldn't use that filter - more filtration than you need for a riparium, in my opinion. Perhaps a smaller one, again turned on its side, or a powerhead with a sponge on the inlet would work better. Just on general principles, I would never put a TV under an aquarium, because of possible water leaks. Could you wall mount the TV? I did that once with a bigger one, and it worked great. __________________ Hoppy

11-03-2009, 05:16 AM	#4
hydrophyte Sponsor (View User Tanks) PTrader: (122/100%) Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 9,152	Another option for the heater and filter would be to hang them on one of the side panels. They will be less prominent there and also free up more real estate along the rear panel for plants. __________________ hydrophyte Visit the Riparium Supply vendor forum!

11-03-2009, 12:18 PM	#5
RipariumGuy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin Posts: 3,614	I know I have to ditch the filter, but It works for right now. As for the heater, I hand'nt thought of that! I'll try it tonight. The TV, I plan to move to another shelf. once I get the extention cord. Now, it does'nt look good with out plants. So, could I get the plants, and then the light? Thanks, Jake __________________ "My next hobby is going to be tearing up $100 bills while simultaneously banging my head against a wall and flooding my basement." "Ask not what the hobby can do for you, but what you can do the the hobby" - ScapeFu The Jake-arium Wabi-Kusa Pimp #3

11-03-2009, 02:45 PM	#6
hydrophyte Sponsor (View User Tanks) PTrader: (122/100%) Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 9,152	Plants would probably alright for a few days with just ambient room light, but you would want to get the fixture soon. __________________ hydrophyte Visit the Riparium Supply vendor forum!

11-03-2009, 03:17 PM	#7
RipariumGuy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin Posts: 3,614	If I had my old flourecent tube over the tank, could the plants survive for longer? __________________ "My next hobby is going to be tearing up $100 bills while simultaneously banging my head against a wall and flooding my basement." "Ask not what the hobby can do for you, but what you can do the the hobby" - ScapeFu The Jake-arium Wabi-Kusa Pimp #3

11-03-2009, 03:31 PM	#8
Hoppy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (53/100%) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 17,206	You could try something like this: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ta...tml#post932414 Even one of these clamp-on lights, with a 26 watt bulb could keep the plants going for a few weeks. __________________ Hoppy

11-03-2009, 04:12 PM	#9
hydrophyte Sponsor (View User Tanks) PTrader: (122/100%) Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 9,152	Any little bit of light that you could give them while you wait to get the brighter fixture would be OK. The plants that I was going to send in your box are low/moderate light varieties. __________________ hydrophyte Visit the Riparium Supply vendor forum!

11-03-2009, 06:13 PM	#10
demonbreedr16 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Arcadia, FL Posts: 808	Cool! Good luck...one of these days, my riparium will be started...but for now, I'm just going to order the starting supplies & plants and just have the plants in a sunny window.

11-03-2009, 08:17 PM	#11
RipariumGuy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin Posts: 3,614	Thanks Kenny, I need all the luck I can get! The fish are getting their color back and swimming together again. Its probably pretty stressfull having half your living space gone, and every thing rearranged! Regards, Jake __________________ "My next hobby is going to be tearing up $100 bills while simultaneously banging my head against a wall and flooding my basement." "Ask not what the hobby can do for you, but what you can do the the hobby" - ScapeFu The Jake-arium Wabi-Kusa Pimp #3

11-04-2009, 03:39 PM	#12
RipariumGuy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin Posts: 3,614	I moved the TV last night, but other than that no progress. All I need now is some cash. Thanks for looking, Jake __________________ "My next hobby is going to be tearing up $100 bills while simultaneously banging my head against a wall and flooding my basement." "Ask not what the hobby can do for you, but what you can do the the hobby" - ScapeFu The Jake-arium Wabi-Kusa Pimp #3

11-04-2009, 05:48 PM	#13
RipariumGuy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin Posts: 3,614	Vacation.... Uh oh! I just found out that I will be gone on vacation for about two and a half weeks, during christmass break. I will have someone watching the dog\tank, but since the person watching them has no planted aquarium knowledge, I am going to leave the tank "un-planted" untill I get back. Just to be safe! I rearranged everthing, (like you guys suggested,) putting the filter on the right glass panel, submersing the heater sidways, and adding some more rockwork. My plan (not like you havent heard it a million times!) is to get the T5 light, then wait to get the planters from Riparium Supply and plants untill after I get back. Does that sound right? Also, how can I releave some of my fish's stress, without useing chemicals? A little black-out and more hiding places maybe? Regards, Jake __________________ "My next hobby is going to be tearing up $100 bills while simultaneously banging my head against a wall and flooding my basement." "Ask not what the hobby can do for you, but what you can do the the hobby" - ScapeFu The Jake-arium Wabi-Kusa Pimp #3

11-04-2009, 05:57 PM	#14
Ariel301 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kingman, Arizona Posts: 567	What kind of fish are they?

11-04-2009, 06:00 PM	#15
RipariumGuy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin Posts: 3,614	The tanks inhabitants are a breeding pair of Convict's. I know that is a little over crouded, but I am giving it a shot! __________________ "My next hobby is going to be tearing up $100 bills while simultaneously banging my head against a wall and flooding my basement." "Ask not what the hobby can do for you, but what you can do the the hobby" - ScapeFu The Jake-arium Wabi-Kusa Pimp #3

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"El Rio Pico" 20g SA. Biotope Riparium **RIP**

"El Rio Pico" 20g SA. Biotope Riparium RIP