720 liter pleco, discus and tetra tank

[russ1979]

thanks mate that makes alot of scense . im just looking to get some rocks in the wild i haven't got a clue which is good or bad and i haven't got the money to pay the LFS prices

Just beware that A LOT of local rock is calciferous in England. If you live up-north, you may be OK (Lake District or more north), or if you live in Cornwall. But if you are anywhere within 100 miles of London, then I'd say you probably are better off going for some other source than "nature".

You can get good stone from garden centres. Slate is OK for use in fish-tanks, as is quartz, granite and basalt. Marble, dolomite is not.

--
Mats

im from the isle of wight mate don't think iv'e much chance then

[MatsP]

Nice coloured sand, but not a good place for finding good rocks for your tank, unfortuantely.

Garden centres, however, often sell larger lumps of stone per kilo, and whilst it's not "free" it's often better than the fish shop - and the stones in the fish shop probably comes from exactly the same gravel pit or quarry.

--
Mats

[russ1979]

Nice coloured sand, but not a good place for finding good rocks for your tank, unfortuantely.

Garden centres, however, often sell larger lumps of stone per kilo, and whilst it's not "free" it's often better than the fish shop - and the stones in the fish shop probably comes from exactly the same gravel pit or quarry.

--
Mats

r mostly all types of metophoric rocks ok

[MatsP]

Do you mean "metamorphic"? I don't know for sure. Basically, we want chemically inert stone - stone that don't change the water conditions.

--
Mats

[Haavard Stoere]

One always tends to find rocks and landscapes that are exotic to us more attractive than our own local stuff.

My favourite rock collecting trips were in the south of england a couple of years ago. My younger brother, my father and me collected rocks and fossils at Lyme Regis and Charmouth beach. The rocks there are rather porous, and makes the aquarium water alcaline and hard. Not at all suitable for use in pleco tanks.

My brother and me at Lyme Regis


Charmouth Beach... The idiot risking his life under the cliffs is me. It is incredibly exiting to be the first to scavange through new landslides. The stuff there haven`t seen daylight in 160 million years. We don`t have these fossil meckas in Norway.


I used some of the rocks and fossils in this 200liter setup for green shrimps (Caridina babaulti). The fog is from gibsen added to make the water even harder. The substrate is made from pieces of ammonites and belemnites.

[MatsP]

Yes, my point exactly about southern englands rocks: They make the water hard. And as opposed to most of Norway, southern England water is already quite hard, so no need to add gypsum [Gibsen is perhaps the Norwegian for Gypsum].

--
Mats

[racoll]

The trick to getting these stunning aquascapes is patience, patience, patience, and an eye for the aesthetic.

Sadly I lack both of these qualities, but I do own a copy of Takashi Amano's Nature Aquarium World, which beautifully explains the principles involved, such as the "golden ratio".

Attention to detail is another critical factor - for example having a substrate of the same colour as the rocks will make a huge difference in tricking the eye to "believe" in the aquascape.

Also, you must never compromise or cut corners, or you will end up with sub-standard results!

As for the rocks, my LFS sells rocks in the shop at £2/kg, but outside in the garden/pond area sells the same rocks for £2 each regardless of size!

Haarvard, what lighting are you using on the plec tank?

[Haavard Stoere]

Everyday lighting is from a hanging lamp containing 2x36 watt t8 with cheap Biltema daylight tubes.
When photographing fish I use external flashlamps tied to the hanging lamp directing the light vertically upon the tank.

This picture shows the 4 portaflash lamps that are connected to the camera via cabel.

[Haavard Stoere]

Yes, my point exactly about southern englands rocks: They make the water hard. And as opposed to most of Norway, southern England water is already quite hard, so no need to add gypsum [Gibsen is perhaps the Norwegian for Gypsum].

--
Mats

Yeah! Gypsum is the correct word. Had to look in Wikipedia

[Carp37]

The trick to getting these stunning aquascapes is patience, patience, patience, and an eye for the aesthetic.

Whilst I agree with Rupert about lacking these quantities (me, not Rupert) I also think a degree of technical competence/aptitude is required. Judging by other comments on Harvaard's threads I'm not alone in thinking that Harvaard's tanks are the most aesthetically pleasing I've seen, but even with the same materials (and a good eye) I wouldn't be able to assemble the aquascape effectively.

My own tanks are more a case of find what slate I've got left in my dad's loft, from my tanks 17 years ago, buy new gravel, buy wood, shove them in the tank, then have to buy pretty hideous plastic plants to give some vertical element to the tank and to make the cichlids dodge round them rather than charge each other across the length of the tank, or where cichlids are absent to give some cover for grumpy cats.

[russ1979]

Thanks for the advice its really got me thinking about my tank. I have been fishkeeping for just under 2 years and my tank looks like your average fishkeepers tank with not much of it being in tune with nature in the way it has been set up. so thanks for your ideas keep them coming, can anyone recommend any other books??

[russ1979]

note the background has been changed to black

[russ1979]

bare with me

[Birger]

Thanks for the advice its really got me thinking about my tank. I have been fishkeeping for just under 2 years and my tank looks like your average fishkeepers tank with not much of it being in tune with nature in the way it has been set up. so thanks for your ideas keep them coming, can anyone recommend any other books??

Not that it was bad to post here but why don't you start a thread specifically about your tank and then everyone can see the difference the extra time and effort makes as your tank develops into what you wish it to be.

Birger

[Lihn]

Very beautifull tank(s) Haavard. You are really good to make exciting aquariums, I am impressed!

[Haavard Stoere]

An update of the tank.

The tank houses 7 Hemiancistrus sp. L128, 7 Baryancistrus demantoides and 19 columbian tetras.

Yesterday evening/night I got some inspiration with a little aid from a bottle of red wine. I pulled out the largest rock, and redesigned the lower part of the tank to make more space in the middle. Under each pile of rocks there are large slate caves for the plecos to hide in. In this picture you can see both of the large male Hemiancistrus sp. L128.


My two biggest Hemiancistrus sp. L128 are definite males. They occupy one half of the tank each. There are some quarrels, but I haven`t seen any sign of a real fight yet. They have become very hairy and beautiful.


Every morning when I turn the lights on the 19 colombian tetras starts patrolling in tight formation around the tank. During the day they are scattered more around the tank. I really like the size of these fish. Perfect for a large tank. The fast currents are not a problem.

[Richard B]

Great photo of the Male 128 - very hairy indeed!!!

Nice looking tetras too.

[HeadHunter]

niceeeee

i rlly love to see pics of the L128

they r BEAUTIFULL!!!

greeetz HeadHunter

[I_Xeno]

Very nice tank

[pramirez]

Hi Haavard.

You can get inspiration on the red vine whenever you want. Your L200-L128's tank looked incredible for me, now better. I think you'll never stop getting ready your set up. This is your destiny....and many times the vine or so can be a very good help.
By other hand, had you try whit any bogwoog with them? They really like to gnaw on it.

Regards.

[Haavard Stoere]

Thank you for all the kind comments

Here is a nightshot at feeding time taken 20 seconds after dark:


My largest Hemiancistrus sp. L128 resting on a rocky pidestall. I really like the attitude of this fish. Reminds me of my old cat. It always finds new and strange places to rest.

[nvcichlids]

Your tanks and fish are awesome!
In complete ENVY!

Keep those pictures coming, would love to see some of your other plecos !

[Haavard Stoere]

Thanks:)
The last couple of evenings I have tried to get some photographs of my Baryancistrus demantoides (L200 "hifin"). Unfortunately they don`t want to be photographed. Maybee I have more luck this evening. I have opened a can of green peas as bait.

[andywoolloo]

beautiful as always. can't wait for more pics. your 128 is such a vibrant colour.

[flavus]

Very beautifull , but why did you take out all the wood? I thought that was equally beautifull so there must be an other reason?

[Haavard Stoere]

I simply changed the whole theme of the tank.
Currently the tank is used for my 10 Leporacanthicus sp. L240 and one juvenile L25. The L240s are growing at a rate I have never seen in a pleco species before, and they will all be mature quite soon I think.

[jopbgon]

I simply changed the whole theme of the tank.
Currently the tank is used for my 10 Leporacanthicus sp. L240 and one juvenile L25. The L240s are growing at a rate I have never seen in a pl*co species before, and they will all be mature quite soon I think.

i will love to see pics of them!!!!

[GW_NL]

I simply changed the whole theme of the tank.
Currently the tank is used for my 10 Leporacanthicus sp. L240 and one juvenile L25. The L240s are growing at a rate I have never seen in a pl*co species before, and they will all be mature quite soon I think.

i will love to see pics of them!!!!

Me too!

I have had a L007 Leporacanthicus cf. galaxias for more than 6 months now. It's a small specimen but it seems that it recently came into a fast grow rate. Besides that he or she is becoming less shy by the day now, so I get to see her/him a lot.

[Haavard Stoere]

I have not had the time to make any good photographs of them yet, but I promise to post after the next photosession in the tank.
Here is a photo of one of the smallest ones eating a pea:

[DutchFry]

Nice species Haavard, looking forward to see more of them!

I see you have gravel instead of sand on the bottom, is this because of the strong current? sand gets blown away?