I'm glad it worked out for you. I'm not gonna lie as I kept reading more into your thread I just keep thinking to myself, "Oh no he did not just do that" lol. Very unorthodox way to setup a tank, at least from my knowledge and experience. But again, it worked for you and that's good. I'd say becareful about adding Red Fin and Rainbow Sharks. I had those when I first got into the hobby, they're cool to watch BUT when they get bigger they can become really aggressive and kill everything in your tank. Other than that, tank looks great! Keep an eye on your water parameters. Sine it's been about a week since you posted this thread, how is your tank holding up? Did it run into a bacteria bloom?
Southeast Asian 65 gallon planted tank (DIY, low cost, low maintenance)
Hello guys! I just want to share my experience in setting up my first planted tank.
I found an old 65 gallon tank in our garage (I remember my parents used this for 20+ cichlids tank when I was little) and figured that it would be cool to set up a fish tank once again. And so I did.
I researched intensively the kind of fishes, and type of tank I want, the care I can give, and came up with this decision:
>>Planted Tank with semi-aggressive species, using the most readily available materials for substrate and decorations, and whatever ready available food I can provide -- all with minimal maintenance since I work Mon-Friday, and travel to surf on weekends<<
I also read about how long cycling takes, and the risks of using local dirt and decorations(bacteria, parasites), but decided to just give it a go.
My initial materials:
65 gallon tank
1 pail of Garden Soil/dirt
Twigs and rocks
Pebbles from a gardening/landscaping store
two old desk lamps
Tap water
Small sponge filter
SETTING UP
Step 1: I positioned the tank beside my window, exposed to 3 hours of morning sun everyday, and indirect light throughout the day
Step 2: I put 1 to 2" of dirt, then another 1 to 2" of pebbles as my substrate
Step 3: I filled 1/4 of the tank with water, then put some rocks and branches for a tropical stream look
Step 4: I planted 4 kinds of plants: Vallisneria (grass), Moneywort, Amazon sword, and Red Ludwigia
Step 5: Filled 1/2 of the tank when the plants, rocks and branches were set in place
Step 6: I thought of cycling the tank first, as many said it will take weeks, but out of my hard-headedness, decided to buy and put 5 Tiger Barbs, and fully-filled the tank with water.
POST-SETUP
The tank was bluish-grey cloudy for two days (not sure if bacteria, or simply the pebbles that I did not rinse, probably the latter as the color was immediate when I disturbed the pebbles), but started to clear starting the third day. Looks crystal clear from 5th day, onwards. Tiger Barbs were fine from day one, though a little faded in coloration during their first night.
I then added 5 mollies (4 females 1 male) hoping to see fry soon, as alternate food for my barbs. The male is relentless in mating the females, and two are obviously round(pregnant) from store. The barbs chased them around for an hour or two, and resumed to schooling on their own. They all get along now, and even eat together without issues.
For the first two weeks so far, I feed them: hotdog bits, grocery-bought raw shrimp heads (this one is their favourite, swarming and frantic feasting), bits of white bread, veggie scraps -- As mentioned above, I am not planning on buying expensive foods, opting for whatever available edibles from my kitchen.
On my 2nd week
- Algae started growing on the rocks and branches - which the mollies are always munching on. But the glass and water stayed clear. Good sign.
- All of my plants are growing new shoots, and leaves/branches (after melting for the first week)
- I also started adding twigs and dry leaves to imitate the natural environment of tiger barbs in the wild
- No water change from day 1
Now my questions:
1. I sure did not do a proper cycling, so what happened? was it luck? or did I do something right that I wasn't aware of? Or am I due to experience a bacteria or algae bloom soon?
2. Do you think this setup will hold, and be ready for my future additions? - planning on adding 4 more barbs for bigger shoal, and a red tail shark, also considering to get Boeseman rainbowfish to turn my tank into a pure Southeast Asian tank.
3. What other things I must do to make my tank more "self-sustaining" (I am planning to go for an 8 day surfing trip soon)
Photos from start to present:
I found an old 65 gallon tank in our garage (I remember my parents used this for 20+ cichlids tank when I was little) and figured that it would be cool to set up a fish tank once again. And so I did.
I researched intensively the kind of fishes, and type of tank I want, the care I can give, and came up with this decision:
>>Planted Tank with semi-aggressive species, using the most readily available materials for substrate and decorations, and whatever ready available food I can provide -- all with minimal maintenance since I work Mon-Friday, and travel to surf on weekends<<
I also read about how long cycling takes, and the risks of using local dirt and decorations(bacteria, parasites), but decided to just give it a go.
My initial materials:
65 gallon tank
1 pail of Garden Soil/dirt
Twigs and rocks
Pebbles from a gardening/landscaping store
two old desk lamps
Tap water
Small sponge filter
SETTING UP
Step 1: I positioned the tank beside my window, exposed to 3 hours of morning sun everyday, and indirect light throughout the day
Step 2: I put 1 to 2" of dirt, then another 1 to 2" of pebbles as my substrate
Step 3: I filled 1/4 of the tank with water, then put some rocks and branches for a tropical stream look
Step 4: I planted 4 kinds of plants: Vallisneria (grass), Moneywort, Amazon sword, and Red Ludwigia
Step 5: Filled 1/2 of the tank when the plants, rocks and branches were set in place
Step 6: I thought of cycling the tank first, as many said it will take weeks, but out of my hard-headedness, decided to buy and put 5 Tiger Barbs, and fully-filled the tank with water.
POST-SETUP
The tank was bluish-grey cloudy for two days (not sure if bacteria, or simply the pebbles that I did not rinse, probably the latter as the color was immediate when I disturbed the pebbles), but started to clear starting the third day. Looks crystal clear from 5th day, onwards. Tiger Barbs were fine from day one, though a little faded in coloration during their first night.
I then added 5 mollies (4 females 1 male) hoping to see fry soon, as alternate food for my barbs. The male is relentless in mating the females, and two are obviously round(pregnant) from store. The barbs chased them around for an hour or two, and resumed to schooling on their own. They all get along now, and even eat together without issues.
For the first two weeks so far, I feed them: hotdog bits, grocery-bought raw shrimp heads (this one is their favourite, swarming and frantic feasting), bits of white bread, veggie scraps -- As mentioned above, I am not planning on buying expensive foods, opting for whatever available edibles from my kitchen.
On my 2nd week
- Algae started growing on the rocks and branches - which the mollies are always munching on. But the glass and water stayed clear. Good sign.
- All of my plants are growing new shoots, and leaves/branches (after melting for the first week)
- I also started adding twigs and dry leaves to imitate the natural environment of tiger barbs in the wild
- No water change from day 1
Now my questions:
1. I sure did not do a proper cycling, so what happened? was it luck? or did I do something right that I wasn't aware of? Or am I due to experience a bacteria or algae bloom soon?
2. Do you think this setup will hold, and be ready for my future additions? - planning on adding 4 more barbs for bigger shoal, and a red tail shark, also considering to get Boeseman rainbowfish to turn my tank into a pure Southeast Asian tank.
3. What other things I must do to make my tank more "self-sustaining" (I am planning to go for an 8 day surfing trip soon)
Photos from start to present:
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1 - 20 of 106 Posts
I know man, lot's of dumb things done here. But surprised it turned out fine. HAHA
Here's some update from week 2 to present (week #5):
1. Stock: 9 tiger barbs, 5 mollies (still hoping to find time to go to buy the single red tail BS I am hoping to add)
2. Plants:
- I added 3 more plants of which I don't know the name haha kinda look like Anubias, but has thinner and brighter colored leaves, what do you call them?
-Ludwigia has not been well, base of the plant is continuously melting and coming off, despite new leaf growth on top. What's the deal with this one?
-Vallisnerias has been great, growing nicely, and 4 runners are growing their own blades now.
-Amazon swords are growing (very slowly) new leaves, but the old ones doesn't look healthy; partially melting
-Bacopa (moneywort) is doing really well; fastest growers in my tank thus far
-Looking to add more vallisnerias since they seem to fare nicely to my tank
3. Water: No idea about the ph, kh etc.. but still no water change since. I only add around a gallon or two of tap water every three days to supplement evaporation
4. Surprisingly, no algae or bacteria bloom since.
Got lucky here 5. I observed some algae growth on the glass when I was away for 8 days. (yes I left them for 8 days, just asked my brother to drop a small slice of frozen shrimp once a day) Easily cleaned with a magnetic glass cleaner.
Here are some photos from week #3 (I'll try take latest photos and post them soon)
Attachments
Thank you for the feedback, everyone. I appreciate the concern, and will take all these into account..
As per the food, it was really silly and more of an experiment thing, but the hotdog and bread was one off. I stopped it immediately because I notice oil from those kinds of food. I am mainly using fresh shrimp heads and veggie bits since week 2.
@Doc7 For the plants, I agree that I need to plant more. I will make this the next immediate step instead of adding some more fish. I can't answer your ammonia burn concern though, I don't even know how that works/happen. But I get the concern - about the soil, and little plants, and 14 fish stock. So now I have the same question for myself. :/
Regarding the tap water.. I am not sure, but maybe it's the kind of water we have over here? Our home tap water is stored in a large tank, so the water coming out of my faucet is not straight from the utility pipes, but has been stored in a large tank for a couple of days already. You think that changes the chlorine contents of the water?
@Mattb126 $9 is P450 in my country, that's like my personal food allowance for a week already. But I agree that it is my responsibility to provide for my tank. Shrimps and veggie bits has been working thus far anyway and the barbs are looking healthy. Buying appropriate feeds will be considered once I get more stock variety Thanks!
@DiegoBedoyaVision Yes. I really do appreciate the feedback from all of you.. my setup and process must be full of cringe for serious hobbyists here, but again, main idea when I started this is really to setup up something using the most readily available things, and minimal expenses. And this is what I have now.
And about your rainbow shark.. sounds good man! Is it very similar to red-tail black shark? Considering my current setup, will a Red-tail fare nicely if I get one? or do I need to prepare for maybe a different feeding, and some other changes in the tank to suit their needs?
As per the food, it was really silly and more of an experiment thing, but the hotdog and bread was one off. I stopped it immediately because I notice oil from those kinds of food. I am mainly using fresh shrimp heads and veggie bits since week 2.
@Doc7 For the plants, I agree that I need to plant more. I will make this the next immediate step instead of adding some more fish. I can't answer your ammonia burn concern though, I don't even know how that works/happen. But I get the concern - about the soil, and little plants, and 14 fish stock. So now I have the same question for myself. :/
Regarding the tap water.. I am not sure, but maybe it's the kind of water we have over here? Our home tap water is stored in a large tank, so the water coming out of my faucet is not straight from the utility pipes, but has been stored in a large tank for a couple of days already. You think that changes the chlorine contents of the water?
@Mattb126 $9 is P450 in my country, that's like my personal food allowance for a week already. But I agree that it is my responsibility to provide for my tank. Shrimps and veggie bits has been working thus far anyway and the barbs are looking healthy. Buying appropriate feeds will be considered once I get more stock variety
Thanks!@DiegoBedoyaVision Yes. I really do appreciate the feedback from all of you.. my setup and process must be full of cringe for serious hobbyists here, but again, main idea when I started this is really to setup up something using the most readily available things, and minimal expenses. And this is what I have now.
And about your rainbow shark.. sounds good man! Is it very similar to red-tail black shark? Considering my current setup, will a Red-tail fare nicely if I get one? or do I need to prepare for maybe a different feeding, and some other changes in the tank to suit their needs?
2
Rainbow sharks and redfin sharks are similar, yet different. I've actually owned both and I have to say that I enjoyed my rainbow shark more. They're both aggressive fish but at least rainbow sharks are more territorial. My redtail shark I owned was just a big bully against every other tank mates in my tank, eventually, I had to give him away. Look at their physical comparisons.. I even think rainbow sharks look cooler.
Rainbow Shark
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Redtail Shark
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As far as caring, I think you're good with your setup. As long as you have places for the rainbow to hide and claim as "his territory" you should be good. I would check up on their water parameters and understand what's required before getting one. I kid you not when I first got into the hobby my first fish was redfin and rainbow sharks. I bought at least 8 of them lol. Of course, after a few weeks, they all died except 1 which he's survived until now. The others died because they kept roughing each other over food so they eventually starved. It was a survival of the fittest type thing... if you know what I mean lol.
More info: Rainbow Shark Fish
Bump:
Rainbow Shark
Redtail Shark
As far as caring, I think you're good with your setup. As long as you have places for the rainbow to hide and claim as "his territory" you should be good. I would check up on their water parameters and understand what's required before getting one. I kid you not when I first got into the hobby my first fish was redfin and rainbow sharks. I bought at least 8 of them lol. Of course, after a few weeks, they all died except 1 which he's survived until now. The others died because they kept roughing each other over food so they eventually starved. It was a survival of the fittest type thing... if you know what I mean lol.
More info: Rainbow Shark Fish
Bump:
That explains a lot of it... and why us (in the states) were so shocked at your intro post lol. If I was to start a tank with tap water I'm sure fish would be dead within 30 minutes. Btw I got a lot of friends in the Philippines, definitely different from US. I'm in Miami so definitely far, far ways away from you lol.
@DiegoBedoyaVision thanks for the help, and the interest man! Now I am getting engaged more to this, considering I started out as a YOLO tank lol
My tank as of today 20/4/2017
1. Plant update:
Added Vallisnerias: tried filling the area from the left side corners (front to back) towards the middle-back of the tank
*What are good and hardy foreground plants best for my tank? (low light, no ferts) I am looking to fill the empty spots between the vallis and swords, and towards the empty side of the tank..
2. Stock: 9 Tiger barbs, 5 mollies, 4 kuhli loach(new), 1 redtail black shark (new) (19 total)
- Kuhli's are funny, after putting them in, they are gone! But maybe it is a good sign meaning they have enough hiding places between and under the twigs, rocks and leaves.
- RTBS is a juvenile still and get chased a little by a barb every now and then, excited to see this guy grow to be the largest fish in the tank
- I think I will settle with this number, seems manageable number for a 65g. Hoping to have some rainbowfish though, but maybe I will replace the mollies if ever, to make this a Southeast Asian Community.
3. Water: I did a little water change (first time in 5 weeks); as suggested, and will be doing this every week or two (especially now that my fish stock increased). But still using tap water - as my water source seems safe for my plants and fish
p.s. I need to use a better camera next time
My tank as of today 20/4/2017
1. Plant update:
Added Vallisnerias: tried filling the area from the left side corners (front to back) towards the middle-back of the tank
*What are good and hardy foreground plants best for my tank? (low light, no ferts) I am looking to fill the empty spots between the vallis and swords, and towards the empty side of the tank..
2. Stock: 9 Tiger barbs, 5 mollies, 4 kuhli loach(new), 1 redtail black shark (new) (19 total)
- Kuhli's are funny, after putting them in, they are gone! But maybe it is a good sign meaning they have enough hiding places between and under the twigs, rocks and leaves.
- RTBS is a juvenile still and get chased a little by a barb every now and then, excited to see this guy grow to be the largest fish in the tank
- I think I will settle with this number, seems manageable number for a 65g. Hoping to have some rainbowfish though, but maybe I will replace the mollies if ever, to make this a Southeast Asian Community.
3. Water: I did a little water change (first time in 5 weeks); as suggested, and will be doing this every week or two (especially now that my fish stock increased). But still using tap water - as my water source seems safe for my plants and fish
p.s. I need to use a better camera next time
Attachments
My tank when viewed from the side (long view through the tank)
As you can see, it is noticeably yellow. Is this tannin from the random leaves and twigs I put in my tank? Or is there something else going on with my water? I don't really mind the color, I only see this when looking from the sides, with the end-to-end view through the water in my tank. Up front, as shown in the previous photo, water looks clear. if this is natural tannin, then I am happy to keep it this way to create a more natural home for the fish.
As you can see, it is noticeably yellow. Is this tannin from the random leaves and twigs I put in my tank? Or is there something else going on with my water? I don't really mind the color, I only see this when looking from the sides, with the end-to-end view through the water in my tank. Up front, as shown in the previous photo, water looks clear. if this is natural tannin, then I am happy to keep it this way to create a more natural home for the fish.
Attachments
1 - 20 of 106 Posts
