150L Asian Biotope Tank..

[gagaforfish]

I am in a question asky mood, bear with me. The tank is 150L more or less. I don't know the exact measurements, apparently it is 75-45-46, but its quite a few cms longer and wider.

Firstly, Plants.

1) DIY CO2 or Liquid stuff? Which works best for you guys??

2)Where would I find some nice driftwood in Auckland??

3) What plants would you suggest? I would like them to fit the biotope,, but they don't ,have to. I have been told Java moss/fern, are good??

Secondly, Set-up.

1) I read somewhere that putting a layer of peat under the gravel keeps the PH acidic, which is what I need. Is this true and Have any of you guys done that??

2) What size and brand heater do you suggest? I have Aqua One in my other tanks, but I saw some Blue Planet heaters that were quite cheap and was wondering if they are any good?

3) Charcoal gravel?

Thirdly, Stocking.

1)I plan to keep danios, harlequin rasbora and maybe my betta in the tank? Would these guys be happy together? I am a bit worried about my bettas fins being nipped.

2) What bottom feeders fit the biotope? I was thinking Siamese Algae Eaters?

Thanks.

[Ismart120]

Hi,

Have a very loosely asian set up here at the moment with harlequins and betta together, no problems (both male and female have worked well), and a raft of others.

As for bottom dwellers, I'm a fan of loaches, dwarf chain and angelicus especially, and have them with the other two right now, no problems. I would suggest caution with these guys though, just in case.

As for the danios, I'd be a bit wary of fin nipping on any long finned betta, maybe gourami would work better if you wanted to stick with the danios?

As for plants, no idea sorry, hopefully someone else has some idea...

Hope that helps

edit:

oh, and I've also got siamese algae eaters in there too, just they get quite big and can be skittish so plants of the betta to relax in would be a must with these guys (my betta and the 3 SAE just ignore each other in mine)

Charcoal gravel, do you mean a darker colour? If so, yes, brings out the fish better IMO

[blueyes]

I've come up with some awesome sites while researching for my Asian tank.... I just googled Asian Biotope.

This one is pretty good gives you lists of both fish and plants

http://fish.mongabay.com/biotope.htm

I'm using builders sand for mine

HTH

[gagaforfish]

Hi,

Have a very loosely asian set up here at the moment with harlequins and betta together, no problems (both male and female have worked well), and a raft of others.

As for bottom dwellers, I'm a fan of loaches, dwarf chain and angelicus especially, and have them with the other two right now, no problems. I would suggest caution with these guys though, just in case.

As for the danios, I'd be a bit wary of fin nipping on any long finned betta, maybe gourami would work better if you wanted to stick with the danios?

As for plants, no idea sorry, hopefully someone else has some idea...

Hope that helps

edit:

oh, and I've also got siamese algae eaters in there too, just they get quite big and can be skittish so plants of the betta to relax in would be a must with these guys (my betta and the 3 SAE just ignore each other in mine)

Charcoal gravel, do you mean a darker colour? If so, yes, brings out the fish better IMO

Oh yeah! I wanted Kuhuli Loaches!!

I think the betta might have to stay where he is, because I do really want the danios... I like the idea of gouramis too. My dad used to breed them so he will probably like that idea too. . .

I've come up with some awesome sites while researching for my Asian tank.... I just googled Asian Biotope.

This one is pretty good gives you lists of both fish and plants

http://fish.mongabay.com/biotope.htm

I'm using builders sand for mine

HTH

Cool! Thanks!!