Cichlids in Planted Ripariums

[Redearsunfish]

Such nice looking set ups! Wow!

 

[peathenster]

I wonder if I could try it with my standard 90g. It's 24-25" tall with a 4'x18" footprint.

 

[hydrophyte]

That would also be an excellent shape. For the best overall appearance you could fill it to just 40% or so and leave the rest open for the emersed plants, or fill it to the top and let the plants grow up into the space above. That latter option really looks best with rimless tanks but even for a tank with a plastic rim you could enjoy real nice plants growing from the top and the fish would probably like the extra cover and filtration too.

 

[hydrophyte]

Here's an example of a setup in a tank with a shape similar to, but smaller than, a 90.

This one is in a 55, which is actually kind of awkward because it si just 12" front-to-back. I struggled with that one for some time, but then I finally got it looking good when I figured out the best mix of plants. Some of the other ones that I had in there kept growing too large.

I have some really cool plants in there.



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[peathenster]

Plants....I almost forgot how much I suck with plants....

So I suppose I could start with a higher water level when the plants are small, then move them down when they grow. Need to read up on plants....any recommendations for newbies?

 

[hydrophyte]

There are a number of choices that are quite easy. Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) are super hardy and great for developing the layout background.

Java ferns are another easy and tough choice--they grow bigger and would be great for filling up space in a 90. Here is one growing on an Epi-Trellis Raft.

Java ferns have great foliage.

Both of those selections grow pretty well with just the nutrients in fish waste, with some occasional dosing of potassium and iron. I have a few other ideas too. It's also nice to add some plants with red and other colors.

 

[hydrophyte]

Here's a shot of the Archocentrus that I have in that 50-gallon.

This guy has a great personality. He looks rather washed out because the lights are so bright. I hope that his colors will deepen as the plants grow and throw some more shade.

 

[hydrophyte]

I just thought of a couple of additional points, highlighted here as #5 and #6:

1. plants mainly out of reach of fish and protected in planters
2. CO2 injection, important for keeping plants in high-light, densely planted tanks, is not required because emersed riparium plants get their necessary carbon dioxide from the air
3. excellent biological filtration, including removal of nitrates and potential decreased demand for water changes
4. plant removal of toxins (e.g., heavy metals, endocrine-affecting chemicals) that can affect fish health and reproduction
5. biotope/habitat representation
6. reduced maintenance demands overall, in comparison with traitional planted aquariums

There are many different options among commercially available marginal/emergent plants for biotope representation. For that 120-gallon setup I found a number of pond plants originating from the Mexico and Central America region, including Hymenocallis lilies (below). The shaded shelf area created by the planters and trellis rafts is an excellent approximation of an undercut bank w/overhanging vegetation, which is a favored kind of habitat for many kinds of fishes in the wild.

 

[Otherone]

WoW! Looks awesome - excellent job and thanks! All but 1 of my tanks are planted 10 total but none look as stunning as yours. Cichlids definately play hell on the substrate. The only one so far I've found that works well with planted tanks are Salvini's - they don't dig. Theres probably plenty more but I wouldn't know from experience. I've definatey been toying w/ the idea of using some of the smaller growout tanks as refrigiums to get beneficals into my 2 large cichlid tanks. The floating plant idea would be a great addition esp. for growin' out feeders. The rest of my tanks contain characins - they don't bother the flora nor the sub. But some like the Pbass and Payara only eat live. The floating plants in a refrigium set up would allow easy access to scoopin' up mollies. Thanks again - great post

 

[hydrophyte]

Yeah an advantage of the riparium plants is that you can get the benefits of refugium-type setups, without having to put together a seperate sump enclosure. The fish also appreciate the comfort and habitat structure that the emergent plants provide. I have noticed that most kinds of fish like to duck back under the shaded area beneath the planters the same way that they use an undercut streambank out in the wild.

Have you posted pictures of your tanks?