The bad news is I went to my LFS the other day and checked their livestock. They have about 40-50 Hillstream Loaches labelled as 'coldwater plecs' (for £2.50 each - about right?) and they are keeping them in a 4x3x2 unheated tank with fancy goldfish. There is no current flowing in the setup as it's one of those tiered systems, like you often see plants displayed in. I tried to get some photos but the camera on Mrs Jays phone wasn't quite up to the task.
The hillies seem to be a mix of Pseudogastromyzon cheni and Beaufortia kweichowensis, they are a little over an inch and a half and some of them have a red edge to their dorsal fins.
I can't wait to 'rescue' some of them and put then in to a more suitable environment.
Anyway as promised here are some shots of my progress to date.
The Manifold in the tank...
![Image](http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z211/TeeCeeJay_2007/River_Tank_Manifold.jpg)
Detail of the intakes - they are filter cores from an old Fluval 2
![Image](http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z211/TeeCeeJay_2007/Intake_Tube_Detail.jpg)
and a test of substrate with a couple of rocks in. will be scouring local streams and garden centres for more this week!
Think I need more pea gravel, or i might just mix in some sand.
![Image](http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z211/TeeCeeJay_2007/River_Tank_Gravel.jpg)
I will update with more news when i have some.
questions/queries/comments all welcome.
TC