Apistogramma Abacaxis Blackwateer Tank

[Bæn]

I know I have posted previously, but i have come back with a more specific plan. I am in the process of building a planted blackwater apisto tank for a breeding pair of Apistogramma.Abacaxis in a 60x38x38cm aquarium, depending on parameters i may also add some Black Neon's somewhere down the line. I am planning on planting Valisneria Nana in the background, Dwarf Saggitaria in the midground and maybe a tiger lotus somewhere in there as well as Floating plants and some Pothos growing from the top. I am aiming to keep the tank at a PH of 5-6 with 80% rainwater and 20% tap water, I will place breeding caves and botanicals all over the substrate, which will be aquasoil capped with around 3cm of fine sand, i am going to use a Bioscape PRO 'Easy Clean' Canister Filter with Heater 1050lph i dont have a light yet so any suggestions would be appreciated. I am also thinking about building an ADA style stand for my tank but the tank has black silicone edges (see attatched), do you guys think this will still look fine? I am aiming for something like this. Let me know thoughts or any suggested improvements. My main goal is to create a display tank with the apisto's breeding as well. Thanks

 

[Phil_1983]

TBH the picture looks really nice.

For breeding tanks though you might run into problems with the vallisneria. Never got it (or any other val) to grow in super soft water. I tried that last in my sp. abacaxis showtank but did not succeed. There is fine grain sand and a layer of leaves above it (at least partially). The EC is roundabout 30 us/cm in there. Vallisnerias just keep dying after a while. To be honest - a lot of plants just die Maybe the sagitarria will work.

 

[anewbie]

TBH the picture looks really nice.

For breeding tanks though you might run into problems with the vallisneria. Never got it (or any other val) to grow in super soft water. I tried that last in my sp. abacaxis showtank but did not succeed. There is fine grain sand and a layer of leaves above it (at least partially). The EC is roundabout 30 us/cm in there. Vallisnerias just keep dying after a while. To be honest - a lot of plants just die Maybe the sagitarria will work.

Weird - the only vals i had problems with was the curly one but it does grow just the tops get a bit ragged - never tried the thick american type in blackwater and nanna grows too well as shown here:

 

[Phil_1983]

Yeah, it is really weird. I wish they would grow like yours do.

 

[Bæn]

I am thinking, if the low ph required for the abacaxis wont allow plants, would it be beneficial to start with Apisto sp.Alto Tapiche? It would be easier as i could just use tap water that way as well. Considering im no expert at breeding specifically Apisto's maybe it would be better to work towards tougher species?