Agreed on the all black look. I went bare bottom for my delhezi grow out and decided to paint the outer bottom black too. Really love the effect it has 
6 Foot Aquascape Diary
- Thread starter Bluesandtwo
- Start date
So... tank update. Still waiting patiently for the whole surface to be covered... but it's getting there.
awesome tank ... just love the all black look with the rocks standing out in contrast.
So 1 month in and thought I'd update you..
Tank view...
Moss balls are now a lush green and growing surprising quickly..
The main focus of the tank.. baby electric blue Jack Dempsey..
The 9 platys are starting to sometimes get on the wrong side of the EBJD already, so probably won't be forever guests. But they're fine for now. However he completely leaves the 4 otos alone that do a fantastic job on keeping the algae down.
The salvinia is constantly spreading but isn't as lush and green as before. So I've started to add liquid ferts and will update you again in a couple of weeks.
Open to other tank mate ideas to go with with EBJD?
Tank view...
Moss balls are now a lush green and growing surprising quickly..
The main focus of the tank.. baby electric blue Jack Dempsey..
The 9 platys are starting to sometimes get on the wrong side of the EBJD already, so probably won't be forever guests. But they're fine for now. However he completely leaves the 4 otos alone that do a fantastic job on keeping the algae down.
The salvinia is constantly spreading but isn't as lush and green as before. So I've started to add liquid ferts and will update you again in a couple of weeks.
Open to other tank mate ideas to go with with EBJD?
So... advice please, stocking wise. I'm up to:
1 male EBJD
3 female convicts
11 platys
4 otos
How am I looking? Fully stocked? Can I add to the platy numbers? What do you think? It's roughly a 110G with 2 eheim 600's running.
As you can see, minus the otos as algae control, I've gone for a CA approach.
Also.... the baby EBJD is looking more amazing every day!
1 male EBJD
3 female convicts
11 platys
4 otos
How am I looking? Fully stocked? Can I add to the platy numbers? What do you think? It's roughly a 110G with 2 eheim 600's running.
As you can see, minus the otos as algae control, I've gone for a CA approach.
Also.... the baby EBJD is looking more amazing every day!
It's a calculated risk I'm taking, I'm aware they may end up as a snack in the future. In which case, a BN plec will take their place.
UPDATE
So the convict cichlids were a disaster and have had to be returned. My EBJD hated sharing the tank with other cichlids and went from blue to black and just wasn't himself! Equally the otos have dwindled down to just 2 remaining and I won't be replacing them, they aren't keeping ontop of the algae. Instead I'll add to the blue wagtail platy numbers (the JD doesn't mind them at all, in fact I believe they give him confidence); and I'll add a BN plec. Anyway, slight reshuffle of the rocks once the convicts went to make it look a bit more natural..
Full tank shot..
Rocks (in need of a algae eater!)
And star of the tank who is now blue again..
I've accepted this will be a single species / centre piece fish tank with some pretty ditchers. The blue wagtails platys actually look really good with the electric blue JD. Of which, the JD is filling out nicely and is developing a strong male jaw.
So the convict cichlids were a disaster and have had to be returned. My EBJD hated sharing the tank with other cichlids and went from blue to black and just wasn't himself! Equally the otos have dwindled down to just 2 remaining and I won't be replacing them, they aren't keeping ontop of the algae. Instead I'll add to the blue wagtail platy numbers (the JD doesn't mind them at all, in fact I believe they give him confidence); and I'll add a BN plec. Anyway, slight reshuffle of the rocks once the convicts went to make it look a bit more natural..
Full tank shot..
Rocks (in need of a algae eater!)
And star of the tank who is now blue again..
I've accepted this will be a single species / centre piece fish tank with some pretty ditchers. The blue wagtails platys actually look really good with the electric blue JD. Of which, the JD is filling out nicely and is developing a strong male jaw.
