Aimara and high flow

[nzafi]

So I have receive my 530g and am in process of setting it. I am using a hmf and ultima combo for filtration. I am trying to decide how much flow I should go with. The hmf will be 1,700-2,000gph. I then will have the ultimate pushing another 1,000gph. I was going to add educators that would increase the ultima flow from 1,000 to 4,000 gph but this is just in tank flow.

One of the main reasons I’m trying to decide is because I’m trying to decide on bare bottom or sand. If I use the educators I probably can’t do sand then.

Thoughts?

 

[moe214]

If you do sand flow is pointless. And the fish doesn't need flow either. Any particular reason you want to add it?

 

[nzafi]

If you do sand flow is pointless. And the fish doesn't need flow either. Any particular reason you want to add it?

What do you mean if I do flow, sand is pointless? I wanted flow just because I thought they are from high flow and wanted to make sure it gives him plenty of exercise. Also, want enough flow that all waste gets pushed to the filter intakes. Considering the tank is 4ft wide I figured a lot of flow would be needed.

 

[moe214]

As you mentioned the sand will be pushed away from it. As far as their natural habitat, when larger they are found in areas with high flow and they take cover behind rocks for instance only going out for a meal. It's what some think causes their aggression. Not much lives in such a habitat so good can be scarce so they claim a large space. However you can also find aimara in places with little to none. But flow isn't necessary. Use gatf for instance. In the wild they are the same but in tanks they do better with no flow, people claim they're more skittish with flow. While wolves aren't really skittish even upon introduction, it just shows replicating the wild is t always the best in our tanks. Personally I don't like bare bottom so if I were to do sand and have flow it's be at the top of the tank maybe the middle. As far as moving the waste, can't say I do anything special I find the flow from the filter moves it enough

 

[nzafi]

As you mentioned the sand will be pushed away from it. As far as their natural habitat, when larger they are found in areas with high flow and they take cover behind rocks for instance only going out for a meal. It's what some think causes their aggression. Not much lives in such a habitat so good can be scarce so they claim a large space. However you can also find aimara in places with little to none. But flow isn't necessary. Use gatf for instance. In the wild they are the same but in tanks they do better with no flow, people claim they're more skittish with flow. While wolves aren't really skittish even upon introduction, it just shows replicating the wild is t always the best in our tanks. Personally I don't like bare bottom so if I were to do sand and have flow it's be at the top of the tank maybe the middle. As far as moving the waste, can't say I do anything special I find the flow from the filter moves it enough

I’ll see how it goes. I don’t mind bare bottom but loved the way that 600g German tank with an aimara looked. Would love to try and replicate that. I just don’t want to deal with maintenance and vacuuming substrate.

 

[moe214]

I’ll see how it goes. I don’t mind bare bottom but loved the way that 600g German tank with an aimara looked. Would love to try and replicate that. I just don’t want to deal with maintenance and vacuuming substrate.

I agree I like the look of that as well. Though with flow I don't think it will be easily replicated. My experience with sand is most of the debris stays on the top of it. If you have a fine net could easily eat stuff out. But I think you have to disturb the sand every once in awhile to avoid any toxic gas build up. I saw a short mention of it so I did it to be safe but never actually read into it.

 

[nzafi]

You need to disturb the sand depending on how deep it is. You can also just get snails and they’ll mix it for you.