Great looking background. It just about has to be the convicts doing the rearranging. Id take them out before planting
Planted 75 Gallon - Now I need help keeping things alive!
This post may be slightly rambly. I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read it!
I have been planning a 75 Gallon Low-Tech tank for about a month, lurking on this and other forums, trying to learn as much as I can. I had the tank filled and running as I was making sure my newly finished DIY background was not affecting the water / didn't leak. Last week, the planning got slightly off track'd as I needed to rehome some fish, and the only place I could put them was in my 75G.
View from my office chair (Goldfish are gone, light temporarily on an angle)....
![]()
Here are some details:
Lighting
Current Satellite Freshwater+ 48"
If needed I have Two 24" T8 sitting unsused I could add for more light
Substrate
Safe-T-Sorb (mine is more gray than red?), still looks good!
17-20 inches from light, depending on where the fish dig holes in it. Also, a couple of ledges built into the background
Filtration
Emperor 400
Marineland Magnum 330
9W UV Filter (got it free, so why not!)
*Note: I also have the equipment for an overhead sump (you can see the powerhead in the photo, its not currently on) and planned on removing the Emperor 400. I had the Emperor just sitting around and put it on as I wasn't expecting fish just yet and haven't assembled the overhead sump
Livestock ( Definitely subject to change, as I said, needed to rehome asap! )
2 Convict Cichlids
2 Ram Cichlids (unknown strain)
5 Bleeding Heart Tetras
2 Green Glo Tetras (being given to a friend)
7 Black Mollies (probably going)
2 Golden Mystery Snails
Intended Plants
Water Wisteria - http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/myPlants.php?do=view&p=170&n=Water_Wisteria_Hygrophila_difformis
Java Fern - http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/myPlants.php?do=view&p=4&n=Java_Fern_Microsorum_pteropus
Anubias barteri - http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=768+1630+810&pcatid=810
Amazon Sword - http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/myPlants.php?do=view&p=15&n=Amazon_Sword_Echinodorus_amazonicus
------------------------------------------------------------
I put in some fake plants for the fish for the time being. The first night after having fish in there, the entire substrate had been rearranged. And not just a little bit either. There were places where I had it 5 inches deep against the backdrop, and they have completely excavated the area down to the glass. They've built a 7 inch high mountain in the center of the tank. None of this occurs during the day, so I don't know which fish is doing it! If I had planted it, it would be a total mess. :redface: My best guess would be the convicts chasing each other at night, but I don't see how that could change things that dramatically.
Some questions!
1.) Thoughts on the substrate and the fish rearranging it?
2.) Enough light for the selected plants?
3.) I was planning on root tabs, as I want to keep this lower maintenance.
4.) I'm wishy washy on moss on the background. Opinions?
5.) Overhead sump ... also thought about planting that as there is currently a big open space above the tank. Thoughts?
Thank you all for reading and any help you are willing to provide. This is a great site with lots of information!
I have been planning a 75 Gallon Low-Tech tank for about a month, lurking on this and other forums, trying to learn as much as I can. I had the tank filled and running as I was making sure my newly finished DIY background was not affecting the water / didn't leak. Last week, the planning got slightly off track'd as I needed to rehome some fish, and the only place I could put them was in my 75G.
View from my office chair (Goldfish are gone, light temporarily on an angle)....
Here are some details:
Lighting
Current Satellite Freshwater+ 48"
If needed I have Two 24" T8 sitting unsused I could add for more light
Substrate
Safe-T-Sorb (mine is more gray than red?), still looks good!
17-20 inches from light, depending on where the fish dig holes in it. Also, a couple of ledges built into the background
Filtration
Emperor 400
Marineland Magnum 330
9W UV Filter (got it free, so why not!)
*Note: I also have the equipment for an overhead sump (you can see the powerhead in the photo, its not currently on) and planned on removing the Emperor 400. I had the Emperor just sitting around and put it on as I wasn't expecting fish just yet and haven't assembled the overhead sump
Livestock ( Definitely subject to change, as I said, needed to rehome asap! )
2 Convict Cichlids
2 Ram Cichlids (unknown strain)
5 Bleeding Heart Tetras
2 Green Glo Tetras (being given to a friend)
7 Black Mollies (probably going)
2 Golden Mystery Snails
Intended Plants
Water Wisteria - http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/myPlants.php?do=view&p=170&n=Water_Wisteria_Hygrophila_difformis
Java Fern - http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/myPlants.php?do=view&p=4&n=Java_Fern_Microsorum_pteropus
Anubias barteri - http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=768+1630+810&pcatid=810
Amazon Sword - http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/myPlants.php?do=view&p=15&n=Amazon_Sword_Echinodorus_amazonicus
------------------------------------------------------------
I put in some fake plants for the fish for the time being. The first night after having fish in there, the entire substrate had been rearranged. And not just a little bit either. There were places where I had it 5 inches deep against the backdrop, and they have completely excavated the area down to the glass. They've built a 7 inch high mountain in the center of the tank. None of this occurs during the day, so I don't know which fish is doing it! If I had planted it, it would be a total mess. :redface: My best guess would be the convicts chasing each other at night, but I don't see how that could change things that dramatically.
Some questions!
1.) Thoughts on the substrate and the fish rearranging it?
2.) Enough light for the selected plants?
3.) I was planning on root tabs, as I want to keep this lower maintenance.
4.) I'm wishy washy on moss on the background. Opinions?
5.) Overhead sump ... also thought about planting that as there is currently a big open space above the tank. Thoughts?
Thank you all for reading and any help you are willing to provide. This is a great site with lots of information!
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
Thanks for the advice all. I haven't made any decisions yet.
aquariumrookie - I'll be sticking with the Safe-T-Sorb substrate. Lots of good discussion on it, and it cost $4 for the bag.
As far as lighting, I was / am mostly concerned about the water depth VS the Sat+ light, but it sounds like I am making a wise choice about the species of plants for the amount of light.
Thanks for your thoughts!
*Side note: Figured out they are Bolivian Rams. Great fish.
aquariumrookie - I'll be sticking with the Safe-T-Sorb substrate. Lots of good discussion on it, and it cost $4 for the bag.
As far as lighting, I was / am mostly concerned about the water depth VS the Sat+ light, but it sounds like I am making a wise choice about the species of plants for the amount of light.
Thanks for your thoughts!
*Side note: Figured out they are Bolivian Rams. Great fish.
This post may be slightly rambly. I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read it!
I have been planning a 75 Gallon Low-Tech tank for about a month, lurking on this and other forums, trying to learn as much as I can. I had the tank filled and running as I was making sure my newly finished DIY background was not affecting the water / didn't leak. Last week, the planning got slightly off track'd as I needed to rehome some fish, and the only place I could put them was in my 75G.
View from my office chair (Goldfish are gone, light temporarily on an angle)....
![]()
Here are some details:
Lighting
Current Satellite Freshwater+ 48"
If needed I have Two 24" T8 sitting unsused I could add for more light
Substrate
Safe-T-Sorb (mine is more gray than red?), still looks good!
17-20 inches from light, depending on where the fish dig holes in it. Also, a couple of ledges built into the background
Filtration
Emperor 400
Marineland Magnum 330
9W UV Filter (got it free, so why not!)
*Note: I also have the equipment for an overhead sump (you can see the powerhead in the photo, its not currently on) and planned on removing the Emperor 400. I had the Emperor just sitting around and put it on as I wasn't expecting fish just yet and haven't assembled the overhead sump
Livestock ( Definitely subject to change, as I said, needed to rehome asap! )
2 Convict Cichlids
2 Ram Cichlids (unknown strain)
5 Bleeding Heart Tetras
2 Green Glo Tetras (being given to a friend)
7 Black Mollies (probably going)
2 Golden Mystery Snails
Intended Plants
Water Wisteria - http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/myPlants.php?do=view&p=170&n=Water_Wisteria_Hygrophila_difformis
Java Fern - http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/myPlants.php?do=view&p=4&n=Java_Fern_Microsorum_pteropus
Anubias barteri - http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=768+1630+810&pcatid=810
Amazon Sword - http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/myPlants.php?do=view&p=15&n=Amazon_Sword_Echinodorus_amazonicus
------------------------------------------------------------
I put in some fake plants for the fish for the time being. The first night after having fish in there, the entire substrate had been rearranged. And not just a little bit either. There were places where I had it 5 inches deep against the backdrop, and they have completely excavated the area down to the glass. They've built a 7 inch high mountain in the center of the tank. None of this occurs during the day, so I don't know which fish is doing it! If I had planted it, it would be a total mess. :redface: My best guess would be the convicts chasing each other at night, but I don't see how that could change things that dramatically.
Some questions!
1.) Thoughts on the substrate and the fish rearranging it?
2.) Enough light for the selected plants?
3.) I was planning on root tabs, as I want to keep this lower maintenance.
4.) I'm wishy washy on moss on the background. Opinions?
5.) Overhead sump ... also thought about planting that as there is currently a big open space above the tank. Thoughts?
Thank you all for reading and any help you are willing to provide. This is a great site with lots of information!
If you are planning a low tech tank:
-I wouldn't put a really strong light over the top (not saying that you have one) because in my experience, really high light without co2 will contribute to many forms of algae. You will have a longer algae cycle and yes algae does have a cycle. (Some algae do end and will never come back) Only switch to a high light when you understand balance.
- Convicts will pick at your plants like stated before and in my previous low tech tank, growth was really stale until the plants started going. With fish picking at slow growth rate, :confused1: I can only imagine how one would feel. If you like cichlids you should go for angelfish and apistogramma etc.
The two Convicts are both males that have been together since they were tiny. They are both fully grown. They don't seem to harass any of the other fish. The dominant convict does chase the other convict occasionally.
My problem with the substrate movement seems to have stopped. Everyone must have it to their liking now? Its not exactly the aquascape I was going for.
Aquarium budget ran out for this month unfortunately.
My problem with the substrate movement seems to have stopped. Everyone must have it to their liking now?
Its not exactly the aquascape I was going for. Aquarium budget ran out for this month unfortunately.
My big mess is now clearing up, will post some pics later
Ok, here is the current stocking list of plants:
Water Wisteria (Hygrophila difformis)
Red Ludwigia
Corkscrew Valisneria
Unknown Sword
Sunset Hygro
Scarlet Hygro
Anubias (Larger, unknown strain)
Anubias Nana
Anubias Nana Petite
Alt Reneicki (Mini)
Ludwigia Repens
Micro Sword
Lobelia Cardinalis
Bacopa Caroliniana
Yes, quite different than my original intended list, mostly due to a giant package from a forum member on here. The downside of this is that I am a bit under-researched on all these plants.
I'd like to try to keep as many of these going as I can. Can anyone help me pick some basic ferts? I was going to try to keep away from them, but I believe this selection of plants might benefit.
I'd post a pic of the tank, but as much as I love having the live plants, it does look more than a bit disheveled at the moment.
Water Wisteria (Hygrophila difformis)
Red Ludwigia
Corkscrew Valisneria
Unknown Sword
Sunset Hygro
Scarlet Hygro
Anubias (Larger, unknown strain)
Anubias Nana
Anubias Nana Petite
Alt Reneicki (Mini)
Ludwigia Repens
Micro Sword
Lobelia Cardinalis
Bacopa Caroliniana
Yes, quite different than my original intended list, mostly due to a giant package from a forum member on here. The downside of this is that I am a bit under-researched on all these plants.
I'd like to try to keep as many of these going as I can. Can anyone help me pick some basic ferts? I was going to try to keep away from them, but I believe this selection of plants might benefit.
I'd post a pic of the tank, but as much as I love having the live plants, it does look more than a bit disheveled at the moment.
Top right under Display Mode, switch to threaded, from there you can edit the title.
Well thank you very much! How sillyTop right under Display Mode, switch to threaded, from there you can edit the title.
Never would have guessed that, but its taken care of!1 - 18 of 18 Posts
