lilyann’s Journal: Congo Riverine Biotope Build

[Lilyann]

This will be a year-long project, and will take a lot of study and preparation before the actual tank goes up-- that will be the easy part.
So, being a long term project, I thought I would keep a journal of the progression up to the build: sources consulted for accuracy of biotope, frustrations, questions, --hopefully, no roadblocks.

This is the goal:
75 gallon tank for my Congo River Tetras
12 phenocogrammus aurentiuus
8 ( this will be 12) hemigrammopetersius pulcher
3 ( this will be 12) alestopetersius nigroptersius

This is all I know-- very little.

More to come.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

This will be a year-long project, and will take a lot of study and preparation before the actual tank goes up-- that will be the easy part.
So, being a long term project, I thought I would keep a journal of the progression up to the build: sources consulted for accuracy of biotope, frustrations, questions, --hopefully, no roadblocks.

This is the goal:
75 gallon tank for my Congo River Tetras
12 phenocogrammus aurentiuus
8 ( this will be 12) hemigrammopetersius pulcher
3 ( this will be 12) alestopetersius nigroptersius

This is all I know-- very little.

More to come.

Sounds great, I look forward to seeing it.

 

[tlindsey]

Sounds great, I look forward to seeing it.

+1

 

[cockroach]

Will you be adding any bottom dwellers?

What kind of setup are you thinking for the mentioned fish?
Flowing river
Faster flowing stream
Flooded forest

 

[Lilyann]

Yes, will be adding bottomdwellers, but need to explore what is endemic to where these Tetras hail from . I don’t want anything too large. Also, would prefer a “schooling” bottomdweler. Need to do some research.

 

[Lilyann]

Blackwater of Lufimi, Congo DR

 

[dan518]

Blackwater of Lufimi, Congo DR

There is some nice scapes there to try and copy.

 

[Lilyann]

I have not been able to put time into this because of grad school- buried in books. But, I have had enough time to order more African tetras :/ ...and add them to my 180 gallon.
So now, the group of African tetras that will go into this tank are:
8 alestopetersius brichardi "Red" ( my latest group-- these are amazing).
8 alestopetersius cf. nigropetersus "Orange Flash"
10 phenocogrammus aurentiuus
8 Hemigrammopetersius pulcher

The tank will take some negotiation with the husband. With a 180, a 60 gallon and two 30 gallons in the house, mentioning that I am planning to put up a 75 will create some momentary tension.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

I have not been able to put time into this because of grad school- buried in books. But, I have had enough time to order more African tetras :/ ...and add them to my 180 gallon.
So now, the group of African tetras that will go into this tank are:
8 alestopetersius brichardi "Red" ( my latest group-- these are amazing).
8 alestopetersius cf. nigropetersus "Orange Flash"
10 phenocogrammus aurentiuus
8 Hemigrammopetersius pulcher

The tank will take some negotiation with the husband. With a 180, a 60 gallon and two 30 gallons in the house, mentioning that I am planning to put up a 75 will create some momentary tension.

I wish my wife wanted more tanks.

Stock sounds lovely Amy. I'm looking forward to seeing it all complete

 

[Lilyann]

Was looking for some information on "Sumatran wood" for this tank- hadn't seen it listed on any aquascaping vendors lists that I have seen... and came across an article that describes it as:
"This driftwood is actually pieces of cut mangrove root. Pieces vary in size between around 25cm to 150cm for very large tanks. It is often used by aquascaping fans as a central piece of hardscape. Like redmoor wood it doesn’t seem to release tannins but occasionally is subject to fungal growth. It also sometimes requires a thorough soaking before it will sink. This process may take a week or so.The distributor claims that it is harvested in an ethical manner from dead trees in the Far East before being sandblasted and cut to shape. Sandblasting gives it a very smooth texture."

Not a lot of information- but does give a little more than other sites.
Anyways: Here is the link- it gives some information of various woods we use in aquarium and areas they come from.

http://injaf.org/articles-guides/general-guides/guide-to-aquarium-wood/