my first Hillstream tank.

jonboy8465 · Post by **jonboy8465** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:36 am

Hi all here is my first Hillstream tank. It`s 48" x 12"x 15" 48 gallons, 2 power heads at 600lph and 1 at 2000lph working with a manifold system. tomorrow I intend to plant it up with some Java fern and Anubias but would like your opinion at this stage in case it needs to be changed. The stock I hope to have in the tank are Hillstream loach of some sort (obviously) and some Mountain Minnows. Are there any good online suppliers for the loach or minnows as my lfs has none at the moment and don't know when they will be getting them back. I have some Cherry shrimp will these be ok in this set up if not are there any Shrimp that will go in here ok?

Graeme Robson · Post by **Graeme Robson** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:40 am

Looks like a cracking set up for a Hillstream tank but i have concerns on the amount of substrate. How thick is it?

Lovely long tank btw!

jonboy8465 · Post by **jonboy8465** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 12:05 pm

Hi thanks for your comments. The substrate is about 2 1/2" thick as i had a problem keeping the manifold down. Basically I have 2 manifolds 1 for the 2 600 lph and 1 for the 2000 lph which is inside the other so as you can imagine I had twice the problems. Next time I will probably mastic the manifold in place. The sand is only at the front to hide the manifold as its a tight fit, trying to get all the pipe fittings in. What are your concerns with the depth of substrate? keeping it clean?

Emma Turner · Post by **Emma Turner** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:48 pm

jonboy8465 wrote:I have some Cherry shrimp will these be ok in this set up if not are there any Shrimp that will go in here ok?

Hi Jonboy,

The obvious shrimp choice for a fast flowing river tank would be the Atya fan shrimps, an example of which would be the Singapore Wood Shrimp (Atyopsis moluccensis). These are filter feeders which sit in the current to catch their food, and are harmless even to small fish life. It may be of interest that I have had a colony of tiny Red Crystal shrimp (Neocaridina sp.) in my river tank for some time now, and they seem to really love it and they breed in there (and are therefore 'self sustaining'). I would think that if you include plenty of hardy plants, cherry shrimps, being a similar species would also do well in such a set up. However, I would wait until the tank has been up and running several months before adding any shrimp, and also take your time when acclimatising them as they can be very sensitive.

Hope this helps,

Emma

Jim Powers · Post by **Jim Powers** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 9:15 pm

I have cherry shrimp in my river tanks and they do well. I would agree with Emma that you should wait until the tank is well established before adding them.

Diana · Post by **Diana** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 10:45 pm

The problem with deeper substrate is that even with lots of water movement above there is often very little water movement deep in the substrate. With poor water movement there is little renewal of the oxygen, and in such anaerobic areas certain bacteria grow that can produce gasses that are harmful to the fish.

jonboy8465 · Post by **jonboy8465** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 3:54 am

Hi thank you all for the advise its much appreciated. I will wait for a few months before adding the shrimp. As for the substrate thanks for the warning. would have thought with more flow through the tank it would clean deeper into the gravel especially as its coarse stones, the sand is only at the front to cover the manifold. but if you have had problems in the past with thick substrates then i will listen to your words of caution.
Here are a few more pics after a bit of a rescape I have added some medium sized stones and some plants.

Sea Sprite · Post by **Sea Sprite** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 4:03 am

Jonboy...I like the lenghth of the tank & the river rock. I'm kind of new to this so please excuse me if it seems like I ask dumb questions.
What will the blue sponge pieces contribute to the tank?

jonboy8465 · Post by **jonboy8465** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 5:10 am

Hi Its a 4 ft tank I have another 2 to set up yet! The blue sponges are the inlets to the manifold system that feeds the power heads this way you get a directional flow to replicate a river or stream. take a look at this link it will explain it all to you.

http://www.loaches.com/articles/water-m ... h-aquarium

helen nightingale · Post by **helen nightingale** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:18 am

Jonboy, i cant remeber where you live, but if you can manange to get to Emma's shop, you wont be dissapointed with the choice of hillies. you are more likely to go home and set up another tank.

you tank looks great

jonboy8465 · Post by **jonboy8465** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:30 am

i live in sussex. where abouts is the shop? I don't mind driving if i can get some good quality fish.

Ashleigh · Post by **Ashleigh** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:39 am

jonboy8465 wrote:i live in sussex. where abouts is the shop? I don't mind driving if i can get some good quality fish.

Maidenhead Aquatics Peterborough.... its well worth the drive

You will be spoilt for choice.

Ashleigh

jonboy8465 · Post by **jonboy8465** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:50 am

very tempting but its a 3hr drive. do they have o2 to put in the bags? would hate to get home an find all the fish dead.

palaeodave · Post by **palaeodave** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 6:14 pm

jonboy8465 wrote:very tempting but its a 3hr drive. do they have o2 to put in the bags? would hate to get home an find all the fish dead.

Honestly, they'd be fine for that length of time without the added oxygen as long as they were in large bags with plenty of air in them - BUT Emma and co would put oxygen in just to be sure!

mack · Post by **mack** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 1:52 am

Hi,
Your Hill-stream tank looks nice.
mac

Loaches Online Forum

my first Hillstream tank.

my first Hillstream tank.

Re: my first Hillstream tank.

Who is online

Go to page

About us