Cichlid tank 2

[Lee Nuttall]

Hi, thought i would drag the old juwel rio 300 out of storage and try another aquascape. To tell you the truth i really do not know what to put in this tank. Recieving 'Freshwater Fish Biotopes In Mexico recently, has given me a few ideas.

The filter has been removed from this tank, as i think they look unsightly.



I will be using the background as a filter. Basicly it simply means drilling an inlet and outlet hole and filling the back with filtration media, usally sponge. The heater can be kept behind the background, as will the pump to draw the water through.
The holes are sealed with a fine mesh as to stop small fish and even fry from exploring.

Photo shows where the holes are drilled in the background:



The background is siliconed into place and left to cure for a few days. I've added a few beechwood branches to the aquascape. These are siliconed into place as to stop them floating once the tank is filled.

As you can see there is a gap of at least 2". This is filled with sponge and finally will be built up with rocks to hide the sponges.





The sand and rocks are yet to be added, also i wan't to add more twiggy looking branches to the setup.

[Dean Hougen]

It looks great! Keep us posted on how it goes.

I do have one question, though. If the mesh is fine enough to keep out fry, doesn't it get clogged?

Thanks.

Dean

[Lee Nuttall]

Hi Dean,

I've had no problems with clogged inlet holes. The gunk of the fish mainly drops to the bottom, where it is syphoned up. If by any chance that the holes become blocked over time, it is easily sucked up with a syphon tube.

I've only experienced clogged holes if plants are kept in the tank. As your probably aware, dead plant debris would be a small problem. Lucky plants and CA cichlids don't really mix.

I've used this same method of filtration on my large tank for years. Unbeliveably i haven't had the need to change the filter in over 3 years.

Careful obsevations on water quality and flow rate has proved that.

Thanks for the interest,

Lee.

[Lee Nuttall]

Today i have placed a range of mooreland rocks and beach peebles in the tank. Sand all washed and added. For this i've used childrens playpit sand, at a depth of 1/2".

The aquascape still isn't finished yet, as i've still to add more beechwood, more twiggy type wood.

Tank is filled, but still a little cloudy yet.







More to come soon.

[Sandman]

You have a real talent for aquascaping, it will look very cool, and yet whatever fish you palce in the tank, they will still be the "star of the show ".

[Lee Nuttall]

Thanks very much.

The tank is nice and sparkling clear now.



Looking through the side. I think this view will make some interesting shots.



The tank still isn't finished, there's a few more pieces i would like to add.

Updates later.

[Lee Nuttall]

I've had a bit of a re-arrange of the wood in the tank. I thought i would lay the branches in a more natural way, as they entangle one another. Hopefully this will create a territory or breeding site for the fish.

Today i collected some oak tree twigs. These were added to the tank as they are coming down from the surface, not too many as i didn't want to over do it.

Hopefully it has finished the aquascape off nicely.

Now to add the fish.







More updates later.

[Piotr Koba]

Any updates? Did you add any fish into the tank?

[Lee Nuttall]

Hi Piotr,

Unfortunatly i didn't get chance to add any fish and the tank has been since broke down.

Lee.

[Piotr Koba]

Ohh, that's a pity.