Would you suggest getting two smaller powerheads to have multi-directional flow (perhaps one over the rocks and one towards the surface)? And should they be run 24/7 or would it be good to put them in a timer? Also, as far as lighting goes, would two t5 fluorescents be good? I want decent plant/algae growth.
Scott, I plan to let my setup age similarly to yours. I like the look of slight detritus buildup as I feel it makes the tank more natural looking. Sounds like a protected area is a must, I think I may just build a hamburger mattenfilter in addition to my fluval 305 canister and aquaclear (maybe it will replace the aquaclear?). You have been extremely helpful, and I am more than able to follow your "rambling". The more info the better!
75g Stream Tank
Started by
Guest_jakemyster44_*
, Feb 20 2013 10:19 PM
42 replies to this topic
#22
Guest_EricaWieser_*
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Posted 11 March 2013 - 04:24 PM
I commented recently about lighting in post #9 of this NANFA topic: http://forum.nanfa.o...482#entry105482Would you suggest getting two smaller powerheads to have multi-directional flow (perhaps one over the rocks and one towards the surface)? And should they be run 24/7 or would it be good to put them in a timer? Also, as far as lighting goes, would two t5 fluorescents be good? I want decent plant/algae growth.
Basically a variety of different lights can all work. I link to them there. In general I find 100 lumens / gallon of full spectrum light is sufficient for plant growth.
As to the powerheads, you can do it however you want. I just like telling people that the more powerful powerheads aren't necessarily monetarily prohibited. If you decide 1300 GPH is what you want, it's only $25 for two. For myself, I went with smaller automatically because I assumed larger would be too expensive. But really, the 400 GPH or so (can't remember exactly, sold it a long time ago) was more expensive at the pet store (like $40 or so) than the two 1300 GPH ones were online. So you can have the GPH that you want. It's not too expensive. But yeah, pet stores in general don't carry anything above 900 GPH and they're all $60 or more each. Look online and you'll find them for a much more affordable price. Knowing you can is half the battle.
#23
Guest_jakemyster44_*
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Posted 11 March 2013 - 08:13 PM
I am considering getting two 800 GPH koralia type powerheads for $29 shipped. I'm hoping that the split current will slow down faster and aid in my creation of a slack water environment on the opposite side of the tank. Erica, I see that you keep several species of native plants, once I am back home for the summer (first week of May), would you be interested in selling any? Whatever you could spare of Myriophyllum pinnatum, Ricciocarpus natans, or Ludwigia repens would be awesome. I'll have to track down some Valisneria americana. Also, is dwarf hairgrass (Eleocharis acicularis) a native? I have found mixed accounts online. I think it would look nice as a thin carpet in the slack water cove, maybe it will help out the black/tubifex worms as well. There are no 'micro sword' like natives are there? I can't wait to finally get things running, much less stock the tank!
#24
Guest_EricaWieser_*
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Posted 11 March 2013 - 09:26 PM
Eleocharis acicularis is indeed considered native to the United States and Canada. Here is the United States Department of Agriculture link: http://plants.usda.g...tivity&photoID=I am considering getting two 800 GPH koralia type powerheads for $29 shipped. I'm hoping that the split current will slow down faster and aid in my creation of a slack water environment on the opposite side of the tank. Erica, I see that you keep several species of native plants, once I am back home for the summer (first week of May), would you be interested in selling any? Whatever you could spare of Myriophyllum pinnatum, Ricciocarpus natans, or Ludwigia repens would be awesome. I'll have to track down some Valisneria americana. Also, is dwarf hairgrass (Eleocharis acicularis) a native? I have found mixed accounts online. I think it would look nice as a thin carpet in the slack water cove, maybe it will help out the black/tubifex worms as well. There are no 'micro sword' like natives are there? I can't wait to finally get things running, much less stock the tank!
I have my plants up for sale on aquabid most days. If you search for ricciocarpus natans on aquabid.com and find it being sold by Okiimiru, that's me. Click on the link to contact the seller, and include in your e-mail to me that you want other plants too and mention that you know me from NANFA. I like going through aquabid because it gives you a way to post feedback if I do a good/bad job. I will reply to you with a quote before you bid on the auction.
It's a good idea to get two 800 GPH powerheads so that if they are both too much together you can turn only one on. I don't think you'll have a problem making slack water if you use plants that block flow and only 800 GPH in a 75 gallon tank. You're going to need a lot of plants densely planted, but yeah you can do it.
I'm not sure if there are any microsword-like native plants. Nativeplanter might know: http://forum.nanfa.o...-nativeplanter/
You can also browse through the USDA plant list:
Basic search: http://plants.usda.gov/checklist.html
Advanced search: http://plants.usda.gov/adv_search.html
Edited by EricaWieser, 11 March 2013 - 09:38 PM.
#25
Guest_jakemyster44_*
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Posted 11 March 2013 - 09:28 PM
perfect, thanks!
#26
Guest_jakemyster44_*
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Posted 30 December 2013 - 12:57 AM
I've been meaning to post an update for some time now, and recently bought a new camera so I figured I might as well put it to use. Below is a quick list of things that comprise my setup:
-75g aquarium
-Fluval 305 canister filter
-4 bulb t5 shop light
-kitty litter capped with sand and river gravel/rock in patches
The current plant list:
-Valisneria americana
-Sagittaria subulata
-Ludwigia repens
Fauna:
-Orange spotted sunfish
-Tadpole madtom catfish
-TONS of snails
I originally intended this tank to be for a variety of species, including a large amount of high flow species, but I found that water temps over the summer were too warm for many of the target species. I had to remove the darters and shiners from the tank and put them in my ~250 gallon water garden where they are all doing quite well. The plan is to bring them back in this spring and then move them back out again once it gets too warm. Since the only two fish species currently in the tank prefer slower water, I recently turned both powerheads off (also to encourage the valisneria to grow/spread). I have done little in the form of tank maintenance other than the occasional water change and of course feeding. I have been very happy with the results so far. Now, onto the pictures!
The plants have established quite nicely, and the Sag. has really taken off. The madtom can often be seen feeding among the carpet.
To my suprise, the madtom will also eat the sunfish's food right off of the surface of the water
I actually see quite a bit of him
The O spot is not shy either and has a lot of personality
-75g aquarium
-Fluval 305 canister filter
-4 bulb t5 shop light
-kitty litter capped with sand and river gravel/rock in patches
The current plant list:
-Valisneria americana
-Sagittaria subulata
-Ludwigia repens
Fauna:
-Orange spotted sunfish
-Tadpole madtom catfish
-TONS of snails
I originally intended this tank to be for a variety of species, including a large amount of high flow species, but I found that water temps over the summer were too warm for many of the target species. I had to remove the darters and shiners from the tank and put them in my ~250 gallon water garden where they are all doing quite well. The plan is to bring them back in this spring and then move them back out again once it gets too warm. Since the only two fish species currently in the tank prefer slower water, I recently turned both powerheads off (also to encourage the valisneria to grow/spread). I have done little in the form of tank maintenance other than the occasional water change and of course feeding. I have been very happy with the results so far. Now, onto the pictures!
The plants have established quite nicely, and the Sag. has really taken off. The madtom can often be seen feeding among the carpet.
To my suprise, the madtom will also eat the sunfish's food right off of the surface of the water
I actually see quite a bit of him
The O spot is not shy either and has a lot of personality
#27
Guest_Erica Lyons_*
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Posted 30 December 2013 - 01:01 AM
That's a great tank! What beautiful photographs 
Catching the madtom eating the pellet must have been a difficult shot.
Catching the madtom eating the pellet must have been a difficult shot.
#28
Guest_jakemyster44_*
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Posted 30 December 2013 - 01:06 AM
Even the snails are interesting to watch
Another interesting thing in the tank is this strange "pom-pom" like algae that grew in the high flow areas (now that the powerheads are off I'm not sure how it will do)
In some of the heavily planted areas, a layer of debris has formed, which I like the look of
Thats all for now, expect more pictures this spring! Thanks for looking.
-Jake
#29
Guest_jakemyster44_*
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Posted 30 December 2013 - 01:12 AM
Thanks Erica! I definitely did get lucky on that one, but it was almost bound to happen after taking 150 pictures haha
#30
Guest_Yeahson421_*
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Posted 30 December 2013 - 01:47 AM
Wow, That looks great! I love your tank! Low stocking is the best.
#31
littlen
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- Washington, D.C.
Posted 30 December 2013 - 07:00 AM
Jake, congrats on the tank. Looks great, and you took some very nice pictures. Your madtom is doing exactly as I would expect: coming out when there is no reason to hide, and going to where the food is (the surface). It would be interesting to see if his boldness decreases with the addition of more or larger fish. (I would also expect this to happen). But I enjoy madtoms for the same reasons you are enjoying yours.
It's just a shame they eat darters whenever possible......
It's just a shame they eat darters whenever possible......
Nick L.
#32
mattknepley
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- NANFA Member
- Smack-dab between the Savannah and the Saluda.
Posted 30 December 2013 - 07:32 AM
Nice tank and pictures! I, too, got some of that "pom-pom" algae after establishing a decent current in my 55. It existed as one little patch for quite some time, but appears to be establishing little colonies all over at the moment. Wonder what it is... Keep enjoying that madtom and o-spot!
Matt Knepley
"No thanks, a third of a gopher would merely arouse my appetite..."
"No thanks, a third of a gopher would merely arouse my appetite..."
#33
Guest_jakemyster44_*
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Posted 30 December 2013 - 11:21 AM
Jake, congrats on the tank. Looks great, and you took some very nice pictures. Your madtom is doing exactly as I would expect: coming out when there is no reason to hide, and going to where the food is (the surface). It would be interesting to see if his boldness decreases with the addition of more or larger fish. (I would also expect this to happen). But I enjoy madtoms for the same reasons you are enjoying yours.
It's just a shame they eat darters whenever possible......
Thanks Nick, I too am curious as to what will happen with the addition of other tank mates. As far as them eating darters, I recalled reading several posts in this thread http://forum.nanfa.o...le-madtom-size/ saying that at least a tadpole madtom will likely be safe with darters. Over the course of the month or so I had darters in the tank with him, there were no casualties so I am hopeful that that trend will continue.
Nice tank and pictures! I, too, got some of that "pom-pom" algae after establishing a decent current in my 55. It existed as one little patch for quite some time, but appears to be establishing little colonies all over at the moment. Wonder what it is... Keep enjoying that madtom and o-spot!
Matt, I'll have to do a bit of research to try and identify the algae species, it looks so cool. I think my greenside darters will love the way it covers most of the rocks in the riffle... If I narrow down the species of algae I'll let you know.
#34
Guest_Erica Lyons_*
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Posted 30 December 2013 - 11:49 AM
It might be cladophora. If you zoom in really closely on it, does it look like this?
http://en.wikipedia....wiki/Cladophora
http://www.jochemnet...BOT4404_26.html
It's pretty ubiquitous, and it's a master of attachment. In one of my guppy and heterandria formosa tanks, it has no problem growing right off of the black plastic of the heater. Cladophora is super adaptable. It'll even grow as marimo balls in places like Lake Akan / my bucket tank. I once cultured cladophora as a groundcover carpet.
http://en.wikipedia....wiki/Cladophora
http://www.jochemnet...BOT4404_26.html
It's pretty ubiquitous, and it's a master of attachment. In one of my guppy and heterandria formosa tanks, it has no problem growing right off of the black plastic of the heater. Cladophora is super adaptable. It'll even grow as marimo balls in places like Lake Akan / my bucket tank. I once cultured cladophora as a groundcover carpet.
#35
Guest_jakemyster44_*
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Posted 30 December 2013 - 11:59 AM
I found a few articles that list the algae as part of the genus "Audouinella" although no species was given. Common names include "black brush algae", "beard algae", and "red algae". Not surprisingly the species does well in high flow areas and is very difficult to get rid of. There are many complaints on planted aquarium forums about this algae growing on the leaves of slow growing plants, but I haven't had any trouble with this. It sure does seem to like the rocks and driftwood piece though!
#36
Guest_jakemyster44_*
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Posted 30 December 2013 - 12:03 PM
Erica, the cladophora looks a little too "branchy", that is, the algae in my tank seems to be a cluster of single, unbranched hairs that share a common attachment point.
#37
Guest_Erica Lyons_*
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Posted 30 December 2013 - 12:09 PM
Oooh, like this?
http://www.aquariums...trol/brushalga/
Interesting, I've heard of black brush algae but never seen it.
http://www.aquariums...trol/brushalga/
Interesting, I've heard of black brush algae but never seen it.
#38
Guest_jakemyster44_*
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Posted 30 December 2013 - 12:11 PM
Precisely!
Edited by jakemyster44, 30 December 2013 - 12:13 PM.
#39
littlen
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- NANFA Member
- Washington, D.C.
Posted 30 December 2013 - 12:50 PM
Jake, perhaps your madtom is still growing and not as likely to try an eat a darter yet. Tadpoles have some of the biggest mouths and will easily suck down darters. I've had pretty good success keeping Margined madtoms with Redline darters, but there were still a few, smaller female darters that were consumed.
I personally wouldn't keep any darters with Tadpoles, but that's coming from a darter nut. If you keep logperch, Greensides, or any of the larger species you shouldn't have any issues. I certainly appreciate those who are willing to try. Either way, your O-spot seems to enjoy the company.
As far as your algae, I think your driftwood looks good being partially covered. I did have some of the same algae growing in one of my tanks some years back. You're probably in better shape as your plants are using up most of the nutrients. If it does grow on them, it usually attaches very well. Trimming the leaf off might be the best bet such that you don't release any spores or add in the spread of it while trying to remove it. You seem to have a good balance though.
I personally wouldn't keep any darters with Tadpoles, but that's coming from a darter nut. If you keep logperch, Greensides, or any of the larger species you shouldn't have any issues. I certainly appreciate those who are willing to try. Either way, your O-spot seems to enjoy the company.
As far as your algae, I think your driftwood looks good being partially covered. I did have some of the same algae growing in one of my tanks some years back. You're probably in better shape as your plants are using up most of the nutrients. If it does grow on them, it usually attaches very well. Trimming the leaf off might be the best bet such that you don't release any spores or add in the spread of it while trying to remove it. You seem to have a good balance though.
Nick L.
#40
Michael Wolfe
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Posted 30 December 2013 - 01:26 PM
Adding my obligatory warning about the eventual size and fish eating habits of Margined Madtoms...
http://forum.nanfa.o...om +fish +eater
I like them as they are often out and eager to eat, but they get very big and are very capable hunters.
http://forum.nanfa.o...om +fish +eater
I like them as they are often out and eager to eat, but they get very big and are very capable hunters.
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin
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