Central American 180 setup

[skcraft]

I've always had Africans, mainly Tanganyikans and I figured it was time for a change. Went from sand and rocks to logs and plants, from opthalmotilapia to archocentrus. I'm pretty pleased with the change so far. The tank has a DIY background that I whipped up, not bad if I do say so myself. You can't really tell in the pics but, the large log on the right has a cave underneath and on the backside I siliconed some styrofoam to create a multilevel area. In fact a pair of archocentrarcus are spawning on the upper level. It is a little overstocked for my taste but I will thin the herd as they grow. Its kind of looks like a blackwater setup and it will at least till all those dang tannins are gone.
Stock list in the 180.
2 pair Archocentrarcus centrarcus (TUIC)
4 juvenile Archocentrarcus multispinosa (TUIC)
6 HRP, Danli. .5 inches (TUIC)
3 Vieja Synspilus (TUIC); the best one will stay the other 2 will go.
12 Buenos Aires Tetras
3 Salt and Pepper Julies
4 Firemouths; these will be the first to go. Petco special.
PICS BELOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[skcraft]

Here is a full tank shot. Pics are not very good, but you get the idea.

 

[macframalama]

thats nice....
case closed

 

[skcraft]

Here are a few more. In the pic of the right side you can see a pair of A. Centrarchus and a mess of eggs all over the rock on the second tier above the log cave. Just ordered them a little over a week ago from TUIC, a testament to the quality of his stock.

 

[Chrisplosion]

I'm digging that 3d background, looks awesome bro!

Is that one of the Syns in the last pic? Kinda looks Bifa.

 

[skcraft]

Chrisplosion- The one your looking at is definately suspect. I picked him up at a local store and was told he was a Syns., I'm having my doubts. I too was leaning toward Bifa. Above him in the same pic you can see one of the Syns I picked up from TUIC. I'm sure those are the real deal. I have yet to develop the eye for these Centrals that I have for the Africans when it comes to ID'n fish. One of the reasons I ordered from Rapps, I knew I would be getting the right stock.

 

[Chrisplosion]

Yeah Jeff is as legit as it can get. I know a couple wholesaler are selling Bifas as Synspilum.

 

[skcraft]

I ordered 4 Archocentrus Centrarcus and just days to weeks after their arrival I have two pair, one on either side of the tank. We'll see how this works out. I'm thinking of letting these guys have a crack at the whole parenting thing a few times. Down the road a ways depending on their parenting skills I may pull the fry and raise them seperately. Always a fun little project until you have tons of juvenile cichlids that you can't get rid of. So far I am very pleased with my order from TUIC.