Suggestions on my 150g

[cichlidfish]

Right now I am not happy w/ it's current state.

Changes I want to make: put the rest of the back ground in and remove stones from sand. The rocks and driftwood don't look good. I really want to make this a show tank, anyone have suggestions on aquascaping?

Also my p. loisellie is doing a lot of chasing and stressing out his mates. I was thinking either keep him or the others. He isn't causing any damage otherwise.

Tank pics:




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[Aphilophus]

when aquascaping I like to put a little order to things try stacking most of the rocks on one end and collect or buy more rocks and wood as what I shoot for to do the tanks in 3rds. gradualy fading to one end I will post pics of my tank at some point so u can see what I mean. to me the fish in ur tank only ook as good as the tank.

 

[cichlidfish]

when aquascaping I like to put a little order to things try stacking most of the rocks on one end and collect or buy more rocks and wood as what I shoot for to do the tanks in 3rds. gradualy fading to one end I will post pics of my tank at some point so u can see what I mean. to me the fish in ur tank only ook as good as the tank.

Thanks. What about adding some tall fake plants w/ that? I am trying to stick w/ a CA theme just not a specific location.


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[Nigelk8485]

I'm setting up my 150 right now too. I like a more minimalist look, so I'm just adding another piece of driftwood and a few more fake plants, but here it is right now. I bought the plant off Amazon, it's called "green oval leaves emulational aquatic plastic plant 24"

I like it, I'll probably end up buying some more.


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[cichlidfish]

I'm setting up my 150 right now too. I like a more minimalist look, so I'm just adding another piece of driftwood and a few more fake plants, but here it is right now. I bought the plant off Amazon, it's called "green oval leaves emulational aquatic plastic plant 24"

I like it, I'll probably end up buying some more. View attachment 1046668


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That looks good. What is your stock going to be?

Also thinking about thinning out the stock in my tank. I have to do 2 water changes a week to keep the nitrates down, and it has been tough having an 8 month old son.

 

[Nigelk8485]

Thanks. I like the rocks in yours. What fish do you have?

I'm leaning towards an oscar, severum, 5 or so silver dollars, and then a synodontis eupterus.


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[duanes]

I have a couple tanks where the wall shows through, and I don't like the look at all.
Sometimes just putting blackened sheet styrofoam on the outer back glass does wonders, and also doing something that hides any wires, filter tubes, and equipment.
Your wood and rocks may take on entirely different look against a dark background, and your fish may also look better against a dark color. I am partial to Astatheros, and think your robertsoni and rostratus, and especially the Paraneetroplus colors may jump with a dark background, and maybe a different light spectrum.
Here are a few of my backgrounds, good and bad.
This is a 150 gal with black spray painted styrofoam, taped to the back, I like the look.

Different tank with a blue background. I think although the fish looks good, the tank shows poorly.

Below a tank with a light colored wall for a background, looks even worse.

I also like plants, but most adult cichlids turn real ones into snacks, but the for algae on rocks, wood and plants is natural.

with a dark ground, looks pretty good.

a light or blue background, not so good

 

[Nigelk8485]

I have a couple tanks where the wall shows through, and I don't like the look at all.
Sometimes just putting blackened sheet styrofoam on the outer back glass does wonders, and also doing something that hides any wires, filter tubes, and equipment.
Your wood and rocks may take on entirely different look against a dark background, and your fish may also look better against a dark color. I am partial to Astatheros, and think your robertsoni and rostratus, and especially the Paraneetroplus colors may jump with a dark background, and maybe a different light spectrum.
Here are a few of my backgrounds, good and bad.
This is a 150 gal with black spray painted styrofoam, taped to the back, I like the look.

Different tank with a blue background. I think although the fish looks good, the tank shows poorly.

I really like that first picture, the black styrofoam background. Why do you paint styrofoam and not just paint the tank? Also, is the picture edited or what kind of lights are you using?




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[cichlidfish]

Thanks. I like the rocks in yours. What fish do you have?

I'm leaning towards an oscar, severum, 5 or so silver dollars, and then a synodontis eupterus.


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Thanks that sounds good. I have:

P. loisellie
A. Robertsoni
A. Rostratus
P. syn
Nic
HRP
Firemouth
5 two spot astyanax tetras

My tank is pretty over-stocked so I was kind of re-doing things.


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[cichlidfish]

I have a couple tanks where the wall shows through, and I don't like the look at all.
Sometimes just putting blackened sheet styrofoam on the outer back glass does wonders, and also doing something that hides any wires, filter tubes, and equipment.
Your wood and rocks may take on entirely different look against a dark background, and your fish may also look better against a dark color. I am partial to Astatheros, and think your robertsoni and rostratus, and especially the Paraneetroplus colors may jump with a dark background, and maybe a different light spectrum.
Here are a few of my backgrounds, good and bad.
This is a 150 gal with black spray painted styrofoam, taped to the back, I like the look.

Different tank with a blue background. I think although the fish looks good, the tank shows poorly.

Below a tank with a light colored wall for a background, looks even worse.

I also like plants, but most adult cichlids turn real ones into snacks, but the for algae on rocks, wood and plants is natural.

with a dark ground, looks pretty good.

a light or blue background, not so good

Thanks info and ideas! I really would love real plant but like you said they will be snacks. I do have java moss growing on the driftwood and some on the background. It is one of the few plants I've had success w/. Love your pics BTW.


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