29G Metaframe Goldfish Riparium

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H

hydrophyte

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 10, 2009
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Madison, Wisconsin
29G Metaframe Goldfish Riparium

Hey this project will be fun and easy too.

I am going to do a riparium for goldfish in this 29-gallon Metaframe.

15-viii-10-tank-iv-m.jpg


I refurbished this tank and I have a thread about it somwhere(?). It's in great shape.

I am going to keep the setup as simple as possible...
  • Lighting--natural filtered sunlight in atrium setting
  • Filtration/water circulation--sponge filter and probably bubble curtain too
  • Room temperature (low 70sF) water
  • Live riparium plants
  • Some fake underwater plants and other décor
  • A single fancy goldfish and maybe some other fish too(??)

How does this sound so far? I wonder about adding a second kind of fish(?). What about a group of maybe ten white cloud mountain minnows?

This setup will probably grow lots of algae because of the setting, but I will keep the underwater portion nice and simple for easier cleaning. I might find the sponge filter to be inadequate for clearing the water so I might need to switch it out with a canister, but I'll see how it goes.

I think I have good idea for plants in mind. These are all easy riparium plants that for open-top setups that grow in nice and full and good-sized...

  • Cyperus 'Baby Tut'
  • leather fern
  • Ruellia brittoniana
  • Spathiphyllum peace lily
  • black mangrove

I will not make any attempt at an organized or natural-looking aquascape, so a hodge-podge of plants will do just fine. I will do my best to keep them gorwing and looking good.

The tank will be open-top and filled all th way up. Since I am not hanging a light overhead I won't have to worry at all about plants growing up too tall.
 
I would stay away from the goldfish and stick with just the whiteclouds. Goldfish get a little to big.
 
Sounds great! The sponge filter should be ok until the goldfish gets bigger. Keep in mind that goldfish will nibble on underwater plants and roots of emergent plants. With a good growth of plants, they should outcompete the algae for nutrients. Curious about the mangrove, let us know how it works out. Have fun.
Oliver
 
It's only gonna be half full or less with water? IDK the bioload could become an issue.
 
Just noticed your tank is a Metaframe. Is this an old metal frame tank? Does it have a slate bottom? It's hard to tell from the photo. In any case it should be a VERY cool retro setup.
Oliver
 
farawayinn said:
Sounds great! The sponge filter should be ok until the goldfish gets bigger. Keep in mind that goldfish will nibble on underwater plants and roots of emergent plants. With a good growth of plants, they should outcompete the algae for nutrients. Curious about the mangrove, let us know how it works out. Have fun.
Oliver
Click to expand...

Black mangrove is a pretty easy riparium, bit it grow slow. Most of the taller foliage in this 40G setup that I have are black mangrove trees.

23-vi-11-mangrove-tank-i-b.jpg


Bderick67 said:
It's only gonna be half full or less with water? IDK the bioload could become an issue.
Click to expand...

Nope it'll be filled all the way up so it will be almost the whole 29 gallons of water in there. I think this will be enough room for a single fancy and some other smaller fish.

farawayinn said:
Just noticed your tank is a Metaframe. Is this an old metal frame tank? Does it have a slate bottom? It's hard to tell from the photo. In any case it should be a VERY cool retro setup.
Oliver
Click to expand...

Yep I'm going for retro for sure. I want to see if I can maybe find some real old vintage decorations on ebay. This tank does have a slate bottom, but When I refurbished it I siliconed a piece of 1/4" plate glass into the bottom. Silicone does not adhere to slate and this is the best way to get a secure seal.
 
Very nice. Love the mangrove tank. I think I'll try that in an outdoor setup. They're native here.
My first "big" LOL tank was a 29 metaframe with slate bottom. Can't wait to see it set up. Thanks for the info on the rebuild. I'm going to look for that thread.
Oliver
 
Hey here's the tank quick in situ.

27-vii-11-tank-i-m.jpg


I made a low bench just a couple inches tall with some old weathered barn siding and a pair of 2X4s. The barn boards look nice with the old Metaframe tank.
 
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