My small Hillstream effort

[CatsandFish]

So this is my first real attempt at creating a Hillstream tank (60x30x30)
Didn,t opt for a manifold yet as tubing is really hard to get around here.
Instead i opted to let the spraybar almost hit the other end of the tank, thus creating at least some unidirectional current.
Inhabitants are 7 Beaufortia Kweichowensis and a Chaetostoma Sp.2
Temp is at 22,5 degrees centegrade and is most likely the coolest i can get too without extra cooling devices (Fans or Electric cooling will inevitably push up the electricity bills)


without further ado, Hilllies


Spraybar






























Would it be wise to keep 4-6 Sewellia Lineolata with these 8 or do you guys consider it to small

[piggy4]

Hi Cats , great pics

[plaalye]

Looking good C&F! If it were me I don't think I'd add the sewellia. The tank is pretty small and they can be quite pushy with the more timid species. Maybe some small dithers to add some life and more nutrients for algae growth. I'd give it several months to grow more algae in any event before adding more grazers. Then maybe a few gastromyzons?Small schistura?Stiphodon gobies?? Just my thoughts. Good luck!

[CatsandFish]

Defenitely no dithers as i really don,t care for them
Contrary to what most reports say on Beaufortia's mine are in no way timid.
I consider em bold, even trying to top out the Chaetostoma (considered to be one of the more territorial of the Lorricarid family)

Any advice on how to speed up the algea growth ?

[55gal]

Wow that looks great.

[plaalye]

Check out pages 6 & 7 on this thread, odyssey gives some good info on cultivating algae. Light and nutrients! And time!
http://forums.loaches.com/viewtopic.php ... 6&start=90

[mickthefish]

i have Beaufortia with Sewelia and Gastro's myself and like you my Beaufortia are anything but timid, the only fish that can make them move are the cheni's.
like your tank very much, thanks for putting ideas in my thick bonce.

mick

[Diana]

Beautiful set up! The rocks, sand and driftwood look just right, the plants, tucked into corners with less water movement are great, and the photography is wonderful! Love the close-ups of these guys!

[Jim Powers]

Very nice!!

[CatsandFish]

Hi there
Thanks for all the friendly Replies
I,ve added some more rocks, some Javamoss and a powerhead for some much needed extra current,. Tank now has a turnover rate off app. 22 x per hour
Thanks to your advice on adding nutrients the algae growth has increased.
But these little fella's give it a hard time grazing day & night

without the powerhead








and just a couple of days ago i spotted 2 lonely Gastromyzon Ctenocephalus and 2 G. zebrinus. with both species one of em has a small injury.
The Chtenocephalus right in front of it,s dorsal fin. The Zebrinus has a small wound on it,s tail (no pics) I just had to rescue these guys.
and could,t leave their healthy siblings there now could i
Both are doing fine so far and the wounds seem to be healing as skin is returning they are actively grazing and also eat industrial food

[plaalye]

Beauties! I love gastromyzons!! I've had a tough time getting mine to eat"industrial" foods as you put it. Some I've had for over a year and still won't as far as I know. I'd say that's a good sign. It will be easier to keep them fat.

[Mad Duff]

Lovely fish and great pics

Great looking setup

[mickthefish]

i really like the setup, you've got the mood of a fast flowing stream.
very smart and the pics are great.

mick

[CatsandFish]

Finally found a cheap way to keep my hillies cool.
Bought an adapter with voltage adjustment (2-12 volts)
and 4 pc fans in the size 8x8 cm. These fit exactly in the opening in the hood
of a juwel Rekord 60.
Temeratures were rising up to 27 degrees centegrade....way too warm imo
with these fans i can keep a constant temp of 23 degrees at 3 volts of power
at these speeds they make little more noise then an older make pc.
And if it would be a real warm summer this year i have the voltage switch for some extra coolng

My previous cooling solution.....a bucket filled with ice water. I needed to replace the water at least 4 times a day to keep the temp at 25 degrees centegrade.


this looks lots better (and is maintenance free )


this way the fans evaporate 1 liter of water per day

Some Hillies

[FishyLady]

This is excellent, I love this tank and all the rocks!! the loaches look really happy!!

Val