New RTM Tank FTS

[AcsFoolMike]

Excellent looking tank, I wouldn't change a thing. When you comes to aquascaping, you know better than most.

 

[aclockworkorange]

So, aquascaping wise I think it's looking great and there are only a couple tips I can give.

-Try sloping the sand a little more so it goes higher in the back to shorter in the front. Gives the scape more depth and tank look bigger.
-Try adding some smaller stones around the big ones. I have a bunch at my house if you want some.
-Try sprinkling a few handfuls of pea gravel on the sand to give the substrate some more texture.

 

[HrHagel]

The only thing i would change is the background type. It looks to me like you are loosing almost half the width of the tank to the background only, essentially making it a 60g in dimensions? Or am i way off here?

Don't get me wrong, it looks incredible. I just personally can't get myself to downgrade in tank size

 

[Dan F]

Beautiful setup (as always).

I have been thinking about setting up a tank for a pair of RTM, I can't wait to see yours grow out a bit. It know if he still has any, but I picked up a 2217 from WoWP a few months ago for $159 - darned good price for an LFS...

 

[aclockworkorange]

The only thing i would change is the background type. It looks to me like you are loosing almost half the width of the tank to the background only, essentially making it a 60g in dimensions? Or am i way off here?

Don't get me wrong, it looks incredible. I just personally can't get myself to downgrade in tank size

Pretty off... It only comes out a couple inches on the sides and the trunk portion comes out like 8" BUT the trunk is hollow so the fish can swim into it. So you're really not losing that much.

 

[aclockworkorange]

Since we're on the topic of Parachromis, here's where I'm at with my alpha male freddy:

 

[JK47]

The only thng I would change is the tank location....it'll look much better in my dining room!!

Beautiful tank Justin! I always look foward to your projects. Clockwork is right on about the top. I left the lids off my 300 for a bit and we noticed alot of water on the floor, the wall, the dog......
After some observation, we noticed " Mo " our Freddy, making runs at the surface and splashing alot, so we put the lids back on just to be safe.

Thanks John! water on the dog lol!!!

very nice rtm's.... the male is already showing some nice traits..

Thanks! I think so too. If it wasn't for that specific male I would have passed.

Excellent looking tank, I wouldn't change a thing. When you comes to aquascaping, you know better than most.

Thanks Peter!

So, aquascaping wise I think it's looking great and there are only a couple tips I can give.

-Try sloping the sand a little more so it goes higher in the back to shorter in the front. Gives the scape more depth and tank look bigger.
-Try adding some smaller stones around the big ones. I have a bunch at my house if you want some.
-Try sprinkling a few handfuls of pea gravel on the sand to give the substrate some more texture.

Your right, I was planning on the smaller stones anyway but had not thought about sloping the sand. Lame fact, but that's what I do to catch fish since they dart behind the backgrounds. I pile sand up in the chamber in the back then lower the water level beneath the sand pile, they are forced to swim out. I was SOOO happy the day I figured that out.

Beautiful setup (as always).

I have been thinking about setting up a tank for a pair of RTM, I can't wait to see yours grow out a bit. It know if he still has any, but I picked up a 2217 from WoWP a few months ago for $159 - darned good price for an LFS...

Thanks Dan! If you want an RTM pair, I have a spare male and female I will be letting go in another month or so.

The only thing i would change is the background type. It looks to me like you are loosing almost half the width of the tank to the background only, essentially making it a 60g in dimensions? Or am i way off here?

Don't get me wrong, it looks incredible. I just personally can't get myself to downgrade in tank size

I think it seems like it takes more room than it does (which is good and means my hardscape is working, I am going for depth visually) so here are some pics with the measuring tape. The center trunk portion taking up space IMO is a good thing since it's functional use of the space that looks visually appealing as well. It's an 10"x8" (at the bottom) cavity for the female to get away from the male quickly that he will be too large to get into and isn't a blocky looking divider. The last pic shows the bottom of that space better.







Just for fun, here is a couple of day one/under the hood pics etc.. The thick portion of the background is comparable to the overflow towers I cut off the tank.

 

[clayton1985]

very impressive tank

 

[tydus]

That's a badass tank! Nice motas. Where did you get them?

 

[Gruff Master]

Excellent work, Justin! I really love your tanks. The RTM are outstanding! I'd like to see a shot of that hideaway for the female. It sounds much better than a divider. I hope that I can pull off something as nice as that with my next tank setup.