Loaches Online Forum

Nice keep them coming.

Good laugh, Wolfram!

Thanks. There will be more, as I´ve time to screen them.
























So, now some more "Albert clicking" and than good night

Those are some awesome photos ... Great looking fish, interesting set-ups !!

That was fun!!!

You really do have an interesting setup, Wolfram.....and a great sense of humor. Thanks for sharing.

... please be patient, I´ll show you my nuts later (just an innocent German speaker )

... I found this one cute though

This setup is only temporary. The reason for using cups, is to transfer the plants to a future tank, without ripping the roots out of sand. I can just cut off the plastic and move them into the new trays. However, I´ve gained a lot of experience from this trial setup. The Idea of creating trays and various isles will be followed in future – except, formed with stones and natural materials.

The bottles, provide multible caves and the bottlenecks are pipes, which loaches love so much. Additionally even they serve as flowerpots and are half filled with sand.

Arranging all that, appears simple, but a lot of thought was put in. I was imagining, how the fish would travel, and what path I could offer for quick escapes. After all there are a 3 groups in there and some singles and pairs.
The fact that at times (for example short before light out) there is NO single fish visible, gives me satisfaction, that there is shelter for everyone. Even Striatas hide underneath a pile of stones during times at night…

This also proves that they are happy to accept shelters when offered.


Here shortly after the setup













Those I have unfourtenately lost



The Y.Nigrolineatas I still have




Our typical Clownfingarra




This common ancistrus makes herself blend in nicely




After some growth

Very cool, Wolfram.

Yes, very cool. You have some nice thoughts there and your photos are stunning.

I love the red leaved plants. And that is an amazing echinodorus!

Clearly, you are a thinking man, Wolfram.

Thanks for the kind comments.

shari2 wrote:I love the red leaved plants. And that is an amazing echinodorus! ...

Thanks Shari,

Those Nymphaea lotus, grow floating leaves quite fast, need to be trimmed, otherwise they cover the surface, come in green and red. They are intresting in current. Partially it makes the leaves stay under water longer, but once they made it to the top, they stay stable - if someone likes that - it may be worth an experiment in a "hilly". But the tank should have more than a 1´ otherwise the leaves get to top too fast. Even though I´m trimming - all leaves reach the surface sooner or later...

http://www.tropica.dk/productcard_1.asp?id=019

I´ve 2 of those Echi´s. I´ll wait for a bigger rosette, than I´ll post another pic. I love those too. It´s the first time in the last 4 years, that P and N is used up completely (I´ll measure some more times and will start adding a testet lawn fertilizer. One with and one without P) - I was very surprised - I guess its due to those Echis getting at it...

Here a Y.Caudipunctata as a tourguide, showing HIS holes... THose Y.C´s are incredible fast disappearing in one hole and coming out of another - often faster than the eye can follow - I mean it, they are unbelievably quick.

I kind of like the mix of natural and artificial as it is done here. Even if it is temporary, the fish obviously enjoy the various levels and enclosed areas. Even with the plastic tubs, it's WAY nicer than looking at pink gravel and little phony castles - and plastic plants.

It's very clever. I can't wait to see it when it's no longer temporary!

Mark in Vancouver wrote:... I can't wait to see it when it's no longer temporary!

Thanks Mark, me neither problem is, I´m going through a bunch of changes. Originally I wanted to avoid the temporary tanks. Now they are standing in a room thats under construction and so many necessary things to do first - unfourtunately. My current target is 31.May08. And I even need to be a good boy to hit that one. But than it´s gona be 7´ (if I don´t have to move house before that).

In the meantime one "stoned" Striata

This is great food for my eyes and mind. Im enjoying this.

Stephen.