240 vieja tank progression

[midasman714]

Now that I've finally leveled my tank and blacked out back side with tint film, I'm ready to journal scaping and stocking development.

Currently bare bottom with couple manzanita driftwoods and inhabitants include 4 silver dollars, melanura and bifa:




Plan is natural scape. Here's my inspirational image:



And fill it with more vieja species, likely all males.

 

[Toiletcar]

Good start so far. Looking forward to updates on this tank.

 

[midasman714]

Apparently getting oak branches is harder than I thought since I don't live in an area where I can just go to the woods and have my pickings. AND since tank is running 2x fx6, I'm hesitant to use sand substrate so I'm going to do fine gravel instead.

Needless to say, I won't reach my ideal scape anytime soon, but will have something that I and my fish can enjoy.

Added a few nice Malaysian driftwoods. Will likely move things around once gravel and landscaping rocks come in, but do like the configuration of large pieces on the right side.

Manzanita currently floating freely. Once it sellers, I plan on securing it to the top somehow.

 

[cjdesmit]

Good start. Is this an 8ft tank?

In regards to sand as a substrate, I have a 220gal (6'x2'x30") with dual FX6's, along with a strong powerhead and have no problems with it. I am using a heavier grain pool filter sand as a base, with gravel and cobbles mixed in.

Check out my most recent thread for a visual here: https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...ntral-american-biotope-ongoing-thread.713116/

 

[midasman714]

Good start. Is this an 8ft tank?

In regards to sand as a substrate, I have a 220gal (6'x2'x30") with dual FX6's, along with a strong powerhead and have no problems with it. I am using a heavier grain pool filter sand as a base, with gravel and cobbles mixed in.

Check out my most recent thread for a visual here: https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...ntral-american-biotope-ongoing-thread.713116/

Yes, 8' tank.

Your setup is beautiful! I may use a little pool filter sand frommy 125 with gravel mixture and raise the intake bit.

 

[cjdesmit]

Yes, 8' tank.

Your setup is beautiful! I may use a little pool filter sand frommy 125 with gravel mixture and raise the intake bit.

Thanks! I was unsatisfied with the flow from the FX6's stock returns so I actually hard plumbed everything with 1" PVC. Both returns are reduced down to single 3/4" outputs and the flow is much better (stronger) IMO. Here is a short clip showing the flow shortly after I completed the project. As long as you have the intakes a few inches above the substrate you shouldn't have any issues.

 

[midasman714]

Order placed for Heterospilus, syns, bifa, argentia & citrinellus (I know, not a vieja but couldn't resist white piebald strain) from COTA, all around 3".

Super excited! Next update will be delivery day.

 

[midasman714]

Added about 20 lb of fine gravel to see what it looks like and it's actually not too bad. I may get brave and mix sand into the tank but we'll see.

And sold two of my viejas.

I plan on keeping the 4 large (6-7") silver dollars . Does anyone think they will give a bunch of 3" viejas issues?

 

[Ogertron3000]

Looking good so far, always fun setting up a new tank. I can't see the silver dollars causing trouble especially once you have more wood and rocks etc. in there for cover.

 

[Gourami Swami]

Added about 20 lb of fine gravel to see what it looks like and it's actually not too bad. I may get brave and mix sand into the tank but we'll see.

And sold two of my viejas.

I plan on keeping the 4 large (6-7") silver dollars . Does anyone think they will give a bunch of 3" viejas issues?

View attachment 1356246

Only issue I could really see would be the smaller, possibly shy, cichlids getting outcompeted for food. SD'd tend to be ravenous. If this happens, could try target feeding the small guys with a large turkey baster or a pvc tube to drop the food down to them.