21 replies to this topic

[9darlingcalvi]

I need some advice and suggestions in my new tank, some background, mid-ground, foreground and floating plants for a Florida wild tank. Here's stocking ideas
1)
7-8 least killis
3-4 swamp darters
1 Florida flagfish
X amount of ghost shrimp
Random native snails
2)
3-4 Everglades Pygmy sunfish
3-4 swamp darter
1 Florida flagfish
X amount of ghost shrimp
Random native snails
3)
Eastern newts
X amount of ghost shrimp
Random native snails

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[mattknepley]

I like choice #1, only swap out the flagfish for a newt, maybe.

[don212]

is that gravel, you can't even buy gravel in Fl,  everything is limestone, least killies, bluefin killies, and a swamp darter, heavily planted.

[9darlingcalvi]

Sorry I have gravel I collected the sand here

[9darlingcalvi]

It's gravely sand

[Auban]

the gravely sand will work. it wont stay put in a pile like that, but the gravel its self should be fine.  the natives you mentioned are fairly flexible.  

 

as mentioned before, i would swap out the flag fish.  flag fish can be kinda mean.  i would go with blue fin killifish.

[9darlingcalvi]

But I really want least killis, I like the wild patterning

[don212]

least killies are really easy and fun

[Michael Wolfe]

Elassoma

[Doug_Dame]

Elassoma

 

The other side offers a counter-argument:

 

Least killies don't need live food. They have neat little behaviors that make them fun to watch. They can look FABULOUS under incandescent lights, glowing gold drops suspended in the water column. (Swamp darters will probably vacuum up the newborns, which are live-born of course, but quite small and narrow.)

 

 

In a 10, all of the candidates discussed would probably be happier with an air-driven sponge filter than a HOB filter that creates a significant current.  

[Michael Wolfe]

Leptolucania

[9darlingcalvi]

So I will have just jungle val, hornwort. What sponge filter? I was thinking the petsmart 20 internal w/ spray bar

[don212]

expanding on Doug's comment a sponge filter is the way to go especially with least killies, they are so small they will get sucked up into the intake tube of standard filters unless you improvise a cover, i sometimes use a fine mesh bag from fish store

[9darlingcalvi]

What kind of sponge filter

[don212]

a sponge filter is sponge with an airline, you can buy them at most independent pet stores, online, or even at some chainstore, it has no intake tube, the airline creates a venturi suction that draws water through the sponge, it is placed at bottom of aquarium

[9darlingcalvi]

Oh, okay! How many ghost shrimp if it's DENSLEY planted with hornwort, foxtail and myrophilia

[Matt DeLaVega]

I can't stay out of this without saying though non-native (and that may mess up your theme) but I would go with red cherry shrimp. They will breed very easily, are more interesting IMO, and you can sell any excess to offset food costs. Put a half dozen-a dozen in there. Their young will probably keep your darters fed.

 

 Ghost shrimp do not reproduce nearly as well. Their young go through a larval phase. RCS juveniles hatch out as tiny versions of the adults.

 

My two cents.

[don212]

thanks Matt, was wondering why i never saw any little shrimp in my tank, cherry shrimp are also more visible, gotta get close to watch ghost shrimp, which scares bluefin killies and pygmy sunfish

[9darlingcalvi]

So, I don't know what native Florida plants for the ten gallon, NEED sugestions please

[Michael Wolfe]

Valisnaria is native