600 and 280 gallon reset: getting back to my roots
- Thread starter mrrobxc
- Start date
Hello Everyone,
In an attempt to find ways to conserve water which is becoming a huge issue in Southern California, I’ve decided to downsize the stock on my 280 and plant heavily to create a tank that can get by with fewer water changes. I’ve decided to go with a lightly stocked setup as well and have some fish on order along with some fish I’ve just received.
this is a far cry from being biotope correct but will feature fish that’ll go well with the smaller CA species.
the tank is 280 gallons with dimensions of 80x34x24” with a 100 gallon sump. The sump is setup to create a refugium which I’ll end up planting with a soil based substrate and will be heavily planted. I plan to add some Gammarus scuds to this refugium and the main tank to help with organic plant based detritus removal as well as a source of tasty live food. My hope is that a colony establishes itself in the sump and provides a source of live food for the main tank. The plan is also to use the sump to help with nitrate control and will likely be something I get going later this year.
the tank is planted with large Kleiner Bar swords, some anubias, water sprite, and Pygmy swords. Lighting is provided by pendent style LED’s on a moderate-high setting for a 12 hour photo period with a 3.5 hr sunrise and sunset so that the light is at its most intense setting for only 5 hours out of the 12.
Livestock:
- Thorichthys Aureus
- Amatitlania Nanoluteus
- Xiphophorus Alvarezi
- wild greeen Sailfin molly: Poecilia Latippina (impossible to find Velifera or Petensis)
- Pseudochalceus Kyburzi. These are from Choco state Columbia but figured they’d be a great substitute for the local characins in Central America.
- Two leftover Pseudanos Vari which are SA Anastomids that do a great job of keeping the wood and rocks clean with their grazing.
The two livebearer species will not only fill the middle and top of the water column but will provide additional algae control and their offspring will serve as a rare treat for their tankmates. The Pseudochalceus Kyburzi will mimic the medium sized characins while adding a nice splash of color.
In an attempt to find ways to conserve water which is becoming a huge issue in Southern California, I’ve decided to downsize the stock on my 280 and plant heavily to create a tank that can get by with fewer water changes. I’ve decided to go with a lightly stocked setup as well and have some fish on order along with some fish I’ve just received.
this is a far cry from being biotope correct but will feature fish that’ll go well with the smaller CA species.
the tank is 280 gallons with dimensions of 80x34x24” with a 100 gallon sump. The sump is setup to create a refugium which I’ll end up planting with a soil based substrate and will be heavily planted. I plan to add some Gammarus scuds to this refugium and the main tank to help with organic plant based detritus removal as well as a source of tasty live food. My hope is that a colony establishes itself in the sump and provides a source of live food for the main tank. The plan is also to use the sump to help with nitrate control and will likely be something I get going later this year.
the tank is planted with large Kleiner Bar swords, some anubias, water sprite, and Pygmy swords. Lighting is provided by pendent style LED’s on a moderate-high setting for a 12 hour photo period with a 3.5 hr sunrise and sunset so that the light is at its most intense setting for only 5 hours out of the 12.
Livestock:
- Thorichthys Aureus
- Amatitlania Nanoluteus
- Xiphophorus Alvarezi
- wild greeen Sailfin molly: Poecilia Latippina (impossible to find Velifera or Petensis)
- Pseudochalceus Kyburzi. These are from Choco state Columbia but figured they’d be a great substitute for the local characins in Central America.
- Two leftover Pseudanos Vari which are SA Anastomids that do a great job of keeping the wood and rocks clean with their grazing.
The two livebearer species will not only fill the middle and top of the water column but will provide additional algae control and their offspring will serve as a rare treat for their tankmates. The Pseudochalceus Kyburzi will mimic the medium sized characins while adding a nice splash of color.
I have 9 aureus and 6 Nanoluteus coming along with a group of 10 X Alvarezi. Hoping they fill the tank up without overcrowding the tank. Trying to keep a light bioload but I’m realizing I’m already going pretty heavy. Plan is to reduce the need for water changes considerably. Hoping the refugium with a ton more plants helps with that with a dosing regime of dry ferts and a few bags of crushed coral in the sump to keep the mineral content of the water good enough to minimize the water changes.
I’m not sure since I got it second hand.mrrobxc Sorry if it has been stated already, but who manufactured the 600 gallon? I am looking to get a large tank made in the next couple years and yours looks really nice!
