Loach project.

[Dutch]

Did some work in the tank yesterday. I wasn't yet happy with the way it looked and had a problem with algae on the sand, so I decided to work a little on it. (Actually I just wanted to try out one thing and ended up working for hours. )

I think it looks more natural this way. Under the java ferns there is a lot of room to hide since I put the standing piece of wood back like it was. (Like in the earlier pictures.) It's shorter now so it doesn't dominate.

As you can see from the Vallisneria in the back, there's a pretty good flow through the tank.

[Clowntje]

nice tank Dutch! looks good.

[Dutch]

Thanks!
I hope that the water is good now and that I can get my first fish this weekend. Those will be the dithers, something like Danio rerio or whatever the store has at the moment. (They usually have a good choice.)

[wasserscheu]

enjoy the exiting moment of adding the fish into this very nice tank - looks very Amano like

[Dutch]

Thanks, I think I will greatly enjoy it when I have the first fish swimming. Just need to get some timers for the lights so I can give a stable light regime.

What/who's 'Amano'?
Do you mean Takashi Amano?...
http://www.hemmy.net/2007/08/06/aquariu ... shi-amano/
(Those are just awesome, by the way.)

[wasserscheu]

What I like about Amano, in my way of experiening his expressions, he does not only offer nice gardens in the way of geometricly and nicely arranging some well picked plants, he also captures the flair of nature.

thanks for your link, enjoyed it, did not see them for a while...

[Dutch]

It is truely amazing the way his work looks. I really need to get me one (or all) of his books and try my hand at that when I have a bit more experience with aquaria in general. His work really is 'Zen' and expresses calmness. It affects me just by looking at those.
Thanks for mentioning him, I never heard of him before and just did a quick search to see if I could find out who you were talking about.

Reminds me of something else I came across a while back. This is a real aquarium....


Source: Aquatic Eden

[Dutch]

Picked up the first fish this morning, 15 Danio kyathit.

Source: Danios.info

The lights are still off, but I can see they are starting to swim around the tank a bit already. Unless I stand in front of the tank, then they're quick to hide. I think they are stunning fish even though these have not yet got their full color due to stress (store, transport, etc).

[Dutch]

I wish I could share a video of their behavior, but these little Danios are so cool! They seem to love the flow of water as much as Loaches do. I've already put a piece of a plant clamp in front of my powerhead outlet because they were almost getting in there.
They school really well now and are exploring the tank, playing games in places where waterflow is high, even their color seems more intense now.
I guess they like their new home.

[Dutch]

The Loaches are in!!!
No histrionica, but kubotai. Seven of them. I wanted eight but it seems some unidentified Loach snuck in. Any ideas on what species? (Sorry about the reflection but it was the only place I could get a picture of him.)

He seems happy enough sitting with the kubs, but I'm sure it's not kubotai. Not that I plan on returning him. He's welcome to stay.
I hope to get some pictures of the kubs later, but right now they are all over the place playing in the flow and there's no chance of getting them to sit still for a while.

Oh, and they were joined by an extra 12 Danio kyathit. There are 27 in total now and they form an awesome school. Even the kubs love to swim with them.

[Tinman]

Lookin' great Dutch Nice choice of fish. Is that a Shistura in the bag?

[Dutch]

Thanks. I have no idea what species it is. I asked for eight kubs and when I got home this one was in the bag instead of a kub. I think I'll ask in a separate thread. I really would like to know. Plus, it might require special care.

[Dutch]

It hasn't been easy, but at least I got a few shots to give a bit of an impression what the kubs look like. I keep hearing clicking sounds from the tank, so I think they're having fun.

[Keith Wolcott]

The kubs are looking good! They are going to like your tank.

[Dutch]

Yes, I love the fact that they are not too small. The biggest one is at least four inches. I saw them in the shop about two months or so ago and they weren't selling. Since their tank only had two small pieces of wood and no substrate I thought they deserved a better home. They were pretty expensive, but absolutely worth it!