Back into the hobby, need stocking ideas
- Thread starter Kingster
- Start date
Decomposition of any botanicals adds a lot more cleaning to the tank
Even though I specialize in and prefer to keep cichlids.....a low maintanence tank....which to me means few water changes, is not a tank for cichlids, or any other high quality water type fish, like many mentioned above.
People will suggest fish they like, as opposed to those that will be successful in a low maintenance aquarium.
I would suggest fish that come from naturally high nitrate waters, and are able to use atmospheric oxygen.
This means fish that live in swamps, or rice paddy dwellers, or in low flow areas and the like.
Some Anabantids (not all) come to mind, as they naturally to go to the surface because of the lack of oxygen not available in the natural waters they inhabit.
Some Asian catfish and bichirs also fit this bill.
People will suggest fish they like, as opposed to those that will be successful in a low maintenance aquarium.
I would suggest fish that come from naturally high nitrate waters, and are able to use atmospheric oxygen.
This means fish that live in swamps, or rice paddy dwellers, or in low flow areas and the like.
Some Anabantids (not all) come to mind, as they naturally to go to the surface because of the lack of oxygen not available in the natural waters they inhabit.
Some Asian catfish and bichirs also fit this bill.
Just realized I missed the low maintenance part, oops. Weather loaches are an excellent choice in that case.
They breathe air and can apparently convert nitrogenous waste into non-toxic compounds like glutamine.
They breathe air and can apparently convert nitrogenous waste into non-toxic compounds like glutamine.
A single geophagus brasilensis, no heater needed for tanks in the house ( I doubt you let your house get below 60F), less feeding when temps are lower so lower maintenance.
How low will you let the room temperature get? Lots of other cichlids that will be fine in high 60s as a solo fish in 140g.
Sample of solo species
Herichthys carpintis
H. cyanoguttatus
Crenicichla minuano (high flow required for swimming in place)
C. celidochilus (high flow required for swimming in place)
Paratilapia polleni species
How low will you let the room temperature get? Lots of other cichlids that will be fine in high 60s as a solo fish in 140g.
Sample of solo species
Herichthys carpintis
H. cyanoguttatus
Crenicichla minuano (high flow required for swimming in place)
C. celidochilus (high flow required for swimming in place)
Paratilapia polleni species
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Not inherently, if anything mulm provides better surface area for beneficial microbes to grow. This is simply an anecdotal observation, but my tanks with more botanicals tend to have better water quality. Also worth noting these tanks do not have plants either.
Totally agree. Botanicals have no negative effects on water quality. I normally leave leaf litter to break down and add more on top when its needed.
All sugars and proteins are long gone from botanicals when they fall from the tree.
I've had leaf litter 3 inches deep and only did water changes with no vacuuming of the substrate for years.
Probably one of the lowest maintenance set ups I've had.
Depending on the fish you keep it can be a very good option.
I agree, but my point is that to my family that would see decomposed leaf litter as detritus on the substrate, Id rather just use a bare bottom tank so ots still visually appealing to non enthusiasts
I see your point but a bare bottom tank needs to be syphoned.
A tank that's planted with easy to grow plants lots of leaf litter and small fish can be an eco system that hardly needs any maintenance at all. It all depends on personal taste at the end of the day but these set ups can be very attractive and very little work at all. Just cover the detritus with fresh leaves every few months.
Iam not gonna be home many months at s time, and no dependable way to know how long, trust me thats how I ise to have my 120 and in my POV it was super low Maintenance for me, but its much harder to sell the idea to my fam haha
