U.S. Native Stream Tank with DIY 3D Background & DIY Roots

[AaronKWolfe]

Thank you, Viktor! I treated the tank with salt and that seemed to work OK. I lost a couple fish early in the process due to an ich outbreak, but the salt beat it back pretty well. The fish seem like they're doing OK, flashing once in a while. I thought about treating them with Prazipro, but, I'm reluctant, since whatever parasite (unseen) that's causing the scratching seems to irritate them slightly, not debilitate them, that their immune systems are keeping things from getting worse. I truly believe that diet plays a key role in keeping these fish healthy, and their immune systems. I feed flakes to the minnows, shiners and dace to fill them up a little bit so that the darters get their fill of the next serving, live blackworms. All of the fish gorge themselves on blackworms. I feed them frozen brine shrimp, and have frozen bloodworms too, but haven't tried them. The blackworms are cheap and last a long time. I also have been keeping up on water changes to keep the water quality as good as I can.

I didn't QT the first batch of fish, just treated the tank. But, since I'm growing live plants now, that might not be the best option. Plus, I don't want to infect the fish that I've already treated. So, I set up a QT tank, cycled and ready for the next collection! I'll treat newcomers with salt at a 1.003 SG, along with Prazipro.

I hope to get out collecting soon. Next on my collection list, a central stoneroller to help with algae control. I'd also to add some satinfin shiners, and, perhaps rosyface shiners. I don't want to add too many fish as I'm pretty much fully stocked.



Aaron, if local laws permit, try using a dipnet (like "The Perfect Dipnet" from Jonah's Aquarium, linked above) or a 6' seine. With a dipnet, you can scoop, of course, but a better technique is to face downstream, hold the net in place several feet ahead of you, and shuffle your feet while kicking up rocks to spook fish into your net, letting the current work with you. You can also do this with a 6' seine. Even better, when using the seine, is to have a buddy work with you, one person holds the net while the other shuffles fish into it. I caught all of my fish with these techniques. May I ask what state you live in? Maybe there are resources to tell you what species live in your local creeks, either in books or on the web. NANFA is a great resource.

Microfishing looks like a lot of fun. Lots of guys I know do it, and I may give it a try too. Sooner or later, you'll find some darters that way. It's just a bit more work, I guess.

My favorite microfishing memory is using a small chunk of worm on a size 22 hook to catch minnows and I ended up catching a bass that was maybe an inch long. I raised him in my 125 until he hit 14 inches, then I released him into a small pond where I had some catfish and a pickerel. It was cool to see a little fish the size of a minnow eat baby guppies and grow into a monster that would eat frogs, birds, large nightcrawlers, bluegills, crawfish, hellgrammites, etc. I might try what you suggested, though.

 

[Chasmodes]

Very cool Aaron. I think that juvenile largemouth and smallmouth are much more fun to watch than the adults. They are always on the hunt, and don't always sit at the glass and beg for food. I do like catching the big ones though!

 

[Chasmodes]

Well, it's almost a month since my last update. I purchased a few more Vallisneria plants and, for now, have them in the foreground. I will probably move them as they grow. I have a few pics and a video to share. I really love watching this tank, the movement, the fish...I go down to feed them and intend to watch for 15 minutes, and wind up staying an hour or more.

Full Tank Shot:

Left Side:

Right Side:

My latest video. I hope y'all like it.

 

[Itsadeepbluesea]

Very nice, the plants really add to it.

 

[tlindsey]

Very nice Native Biotope. Did you catch the Darters and Minnows yourself?

 

[Chasmodes]

Thank you Itsadeepbluesea and tlindsey!

Very nice Native Biotope. Did you catch the Darters and Minnows yourself?

Yes, all of the fish were caught in two creeks (same river drainage) within a half hour of my house. I purchased the plants, but they grow wild in the same drainage.

 

[sledge760]

One of the most natural looking tanks I have ever seen. 50 years of fishkeeping.

 

[xraycer]

Great job on the realism, but it's missing just one piece to make it truly realistic: a sunken, empty, algae covered beer bottle

 

[Gourami Swami]

Beautiful set up, great job on the rock wall and roots! Really well done

 

[Chasmodes]

Thank you sledge760, xraycer, and Gourami Swami.

xraycer, maybe I'll find one and add it to the tank!!!

I created another video update and discussed some problems that I've had recently, and how I dealt with them. Basically, I had a bunch of fish die off. I was able to stop it but not after I lost a bunch of my favorite fish. The video explains everything. It was weird because prior to the die off, all of the fish seemed happy and healthy. It happened so fast, and lasted a week before I finally figured out the solution. I pulled some of the river rocks out of the tank, more for ease of maintenance, but I actually like the look better. The fish that survived are doing great though!