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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
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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!