Creating natural, functional cichlid display tanks

[Stanzzzz7]

While on the subject of plants,a little tip for planting with cichlids that like to dig.
Take a coconut and cut both ends off leaving two dish shaped half's. Drill a 18 mm hole in each one.you can push the roots through this hole and Bury the coconut in the substrate with the plant secured in the hole. Add a few stones around the Base of the plant on top of the coconut. This will stop all but the most determined of diggers from uprooting the plant.

 

[A201]

Great thread. I am also a big natural biotype fan and a lover of rock Hardscapes. Several of my tanks are decked out in Texas Holey rocks, Manzanita and Malaysian driftwood. I totally agree with your nature's perfect imperfection opinion regarding odd numbers and aquascaping. Im relatively new to this forum, but follow several. Your thread is one of the best I've read on any.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Great thread. I am also a big natural biotype fan and a lover of rock Hardscapes. Several of my tanks are decked out in Texas Holey rocks, Manzanita and Malaysian driftwood. I totally agree with your nature's perfect imperfection opinion regarding odd numbers and aquascaping. Im relatively new to this forum, but follow several. Your thread is one of the best I've read on any.

Thank you,appreciate the nice comments and I'm pleased you like the thread.
Means a lot,cheers.

 

[tiger15]

If you want biostope correct scape, in addition to reviewing Stanzzzz other thread that has collection of many natural habitat videos, you can visit public aquariums with freshwater display to get inspiration.
I visited many public aquariums in US and the one with extensive freshwater exhibits is the Chicago Shedd Aquarium. Most public aquariums I visited are true to biostope and fish population replication, but not true to water clarity, detritus and algae accumulation.

Check out post #35 from Stanzzz thread on diverse habitats in the Venezuela Orinoco system.

https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/natural-habitats-of-cichlids.670096/page-4

The fish are very interesting to me, but the habitats look dirty, water unclear, detritus and brown algae everywhere. If it were in someone's tank, I will recommend a large WC, bottom vacuuming and dose Excel to get rid of the algae.

Another video in Post #24 show beautiful habitats of the same system from Ivan Mikowi. But Ivan acknowledged that he had hard time finding the 0.5% of the habitats with clear water to video, as the rest are too murky or tannin stained.

https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/natural-habitats-of-cichlids.670096/page-3

Nothing wrong to pursue biotope tanks, but bear in mind that they are merely enhanced reality of American freshwaters.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Nothing wrong to pursue biotope tanks, but bear in mind that they are merely enhanced reality of American freshwaters.

Of course they are. What else would they be?
Your not really telling us anything other than you don't like the leaf litter look and to you,fish tanks are prettier than nature.

I can handle constructive criticism, but I don't know if it's just me but I don't get what your trying to achieve by telling us this.
Some natural habitats have silt and algea,I get it but so what?

 

[A201]

Tiger
You're probably correct that most naturally scaped tanks reflect the biotype from which the hobbiest are most familiar. Likely their own region. My tanks are scaped much like a Lake Travis (Texas) biotype, plenty of Honeycombed limestone. I've snorkled there many times. 20 - 25 feet visibility on good days, yet my tanks are stocked with CA cichlids, S.A. Tetras and Asian Botias. Successfully creating a true biotype is probably a rarity. I sense a little friction between you and Stanzzzz7, but I would suspect you have more in common than differences. Stanzzzz7 made it clear that the goal of the thread was "To Assist". IMO that goal was clearly met. As for the particulars regarding the addition of leaf and branches, and the toleration of algae, they are just suggestions. One might view that a dingy mess or a beautiful enhancement. It's always good to consider counterpoints, and I respect your point of view.

 

[Hendre]

I believe a biotope is simply a partial representation of a biotope using decor, plants and livestock that are found in this water body or are closely associated with those that live there.

It's an unrealistic representation because nature doesn't have power filters. If we wanted the true-to-nature experience we'd have:

• Few fish
• One or maybe two plant species due to habitat domination
• Fully fledged food web
• Unorganised decor
• Rapid seasonal chemistry changes

These are just a few things I had on my mind. The biotopes we choose aren't a true representation of nature. Few, if any, tanks represent nature well. These are our attempts at taking the biology and environment of a water body and morphing it into something beautiful. Keeping clean water and good, consistent feeding for our livestock. Denser and healthier plants, aesthetically pleasing decor, water stability and cherry-picked elements to make something attractive with the inspiration of a certain area.

But at the end of the day, biotope or not, with this sort of effort we create pleasant and beautiful tanks for our aquatic pets. And that's what matters. Not the environmental correctness or perfection. Making a proper habitat for our fish is admirable, and while we may disagree there are many ways to skin the cat

And remember, when you paint you don't try and throw all the colours on the canvas! You pick the ones that fit it and will give a pleasant look and fee. Something that works. Those are just my thoughts on the matter.

Hendre out

 

[KellyElizabeth]

Of course they are. What else would they be?
Your not really telling us anything other than you don't like the leaf litter look and to you,fish tanks are prettier than nature.

I can handle constructive criticism, but I don't know if it's just me but I don't get what your trying to achieve by telling us this.
Some natural habitats have silt and algea,I get it but so what?

Exactly dude.

I don't understand what this tiger guy is selling either.

So some rivers have junk or debris or pollution.
Some are crystal clear and beautiful.
Tell us something new dude! You keep stating the painfully obvious.

I know stanzzzz7 was a little reluctant to write this thread. I also know he wrote it because he has been asked to by many members,myself included.
He obviously spent some time and effort putting this thread together. Then this tiger dude pipes up with ,oh but there is junk and silt in nature,I don't like leaf litter,fish tanks are too pretty blah blah blah.

And your point is nothing more than staggeringly obvious to any body that knows what a fish is.

A biotope is a simulation of the natural environment ,nothing less,nothing more. Believe it or not tiger dude,nobody thinks otherwise.

Tiger guy ,I don't want to be confrontational but your ruining a really good thread by telling us absolutely nothing we don't already know.

So what's the problem dude? Go wreak someone else's hard work.
It seams to me that's all your trying to do here.
Go shoot a pigeon or something else as pointless as your input here.

Stanzzzz7 I am so sorry to be argumentative on your thread. This guy is accomplishing nothing but to detract from this wonderful thread.
It's pointless and he's doing my head in.

 

[Niki_up]

I don’t understand why this post has people arguing...Stanzzzz7 just shared knowledge and how too’s, no one said anyone had to follow them. They are not hard rules, just pointers if you like Stanzzzz7 tanks this will help you accomplish that look.

Either take something away from the post or don’t...simple.

And btw I really like the look of these tanks, algae included! Personally I like the look of algae as long as it’s not harmful.

Stanzzzz7, thanks for sharing!

 

[Lilyann]

Beauty is a subjective experience-- in other words, to each his/her own.
What we create in an enclosed glass box is not "nature" --- it is an aesthetic representation, despite how closely we may attempt to replicate the original.
What is to one person a true representation of nature is to another a scene that detracts from the whole experience... ( tinted water, algae, or "fill in the blank").
That said, a majority of readers of this thread are inspired ( myself included) by the examples and tips that Stanzzz has included in this thread to come as close as we can to the various "elements" that may be found in a given aquatic/geographical space of the world.
It is not wrong for someone to find another's representation unappealing and make a comment as such. We are adults here.
However, when you do state your like/dislike, realize that you cannot claim that your view of nature is more realistic than others. It is all representation.
Personally, Stanzzz thread is inspirational--- it is my kind of beauty.