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Darkman · 12-31-2011, 08:51 PM

Awesome planted aquariums!

I have had planted aquariums over the years but they were not to your caliber. I have a 55 gal that I have had set up since 1993. It had about ten species of plants but is down to two now. Java moss and the "banana plants". It is a minimalist tank. By that I mean it is almost self sustaining. There is no heater, no real filter, it has a twin 40w standard shop light that occasionally works and a recirculating pump. I have a thick 4-6" thick gravel base and the background is granite rocks stacked to form many caves. The front of the aquarium is loaded with driftwood. All the rocks, gravel and driftwood are colonized by billions of beneficial bacteria that allow his tank to work. The inhabitants consist of two 8" catfish (they have large veiled fins), 4 or 5 tiger barbs, several Buenos Aires tetras, some black finned barbs and a kuhli loach. Oh I almost forgot hundreds maybe thousands of small gravel burrowing snails that come out at night and perform sanitation duties. I have lost power several times (hurricanes) for as long as 6 days with no ill effects. The java moss, snails and fish all work together happily. I'll occasionally add a few fish and if they are a quick study they may live. If not the catfish smile. They are feed every couple days or so and occasionally I'll add a hundred feeder guppies which don't last long. All of the fish have very good color and seem to be happy. Some of the Buenos Aires tetras are over six years old. The catfish are original inhabitants from the nineties. The only maintenance I perform is a 70% water change every two to three weeks. The room temp regulates the tank. In all these years I have had a couple of Ick outbreaks and that is it. When I retire I hope to get a >500g tank and grow plants with more fish.

12-31-2011, 08:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
Darkman Dirt Master Darkman's Photo Gallery Location: Pensacola, FL South of I-10 Find me on the map! Zone: 8b/9a Name: Darkman Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,249 BananaBucks : 237,868 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 9,263 Times Was Thanked 1,582 Times in 702 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 243 Times	Re: Betta splendens, Siamese Fighting Fish Awesome planted aquariums! I have had planted aquariums over the years but they were not to your caliber. I have a 55 gal that I have had set up since 1993. It had about ten species of plants but is down to two now. Java moss and the "banana plants". It is a minimalist tank. By that I mean it is almost self sustaining. There is no heater, no real filter, it has a twin 40w standard shop light that occasionally works and a recirculating pump. I have a thick 4-6" thick gravel base and the background is granite rocks stacked to form many caves. The front of the aquarium is loaded with driftwood. All the rocks, gravel and driftwood are colonized by billions of beneficial bacteria that allow his tank to work. The inhabitants consist of two 8" catfish (they have large veiled fins), 4 or 5 tiger barbs, several Buenos Aires tetras, some black finned barbs and a kuhli loach. Oh I almost forgot hundreds maybe thousands of small gravel burrowing snails that come out at night and perform sanitation duties. I have lost power several times (hurricanes) for as long as 6 days with no ill effects. The java moss, snails and fish all work together happily. I'll occasionally add a few fish and if they are a quick study they may live. If not the catfish smile. They are feed every couple days or so and occasionally I'll add a hundred feeder guppies which don't last long. All of the fish have very good color and seem to be happy. Some of the Buenos Aires tetras are over six years old. The catfish are original inhabitants from the nineties. The only maintenance I perform is a 70% water change every two to three weeks. The room temp regulates the tank. In all these years I have had a couple of Ick outbreaks and that is it. When I retire I hope to get a >500g tank and grow plants with more fish. __________________ Darkman in Pensacola AS ALWAYS IMHO AND YOUR MILEAGE MAY DIFFER!!!!!!!! Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong! Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable! Statistics - Data that analyst twist to support the insane opinions of those that pay them.