- Messages
- 4
- Location
- New York City
Hi all,
I've been reading this forum for a few weeks now and have learned a lot from the posts here. You have a great community.
I have a 65 gallon, heavily planted tank that I'm just about ready to put some apistos in. It's been set up for five months and it seems like I've finally figured out how to keep the algae under control, get the plants growing well, and maintain a fairly stable pH. I'm using pressurized carbon dioxide and fertilizing using Tom Barr's Estimative Method, which is basically doses of nitrates, phosphates, sulfates, and trace elements three times a week with 50 percent water changes once a week. The plants have become thick and grow fast. I'm growing a couple types of milfoil, Heteranthera zosterifolia, and some Echinodorus (bleheri, cordifolius, and tenellus). There’s a large piece of twisted wood that will provide cover and caves. I live in New York City so I'm blessed with very soft water (2 degrees KH). Ph is steady around 6.4. Nitrates are usually between 5 and 10 ppm.
I'm considering either A. cacatuoides or A. agassizi along with a few pencil fish as dithers if I can find them. Right now I have some ottocinclus, cory cats, three different types of shrimp, and some snails. I’ll probably move the cats and shrimp out when the apistos move in.
I’ve heard that Apistos are sensitive to nitrates. Does anyone here have any experience keeping them with this kind of fertilizer regime?
I’m also wondering how many of either Apisto species will live happily in this tank. Can I keep more than one male? If not how many females should I get to go along with the one lucky male? The tank is 3 feet across and 18 inches wide.
Cheers,
Dave
I've been reading this forum for a few weeks now and have learned a lot from the posts here. You have a great community.
I have a 65 gallon, heavily planted tank that I'm just about ready to put some apistos in. It's been set up for five months and it seems like I've finally figured out how to keep the algae under control, get the plants growing well, and maintain a fairly stable pH. I'm using pressurized carbon dioxide and fertilizing using Tom Barr's Estimative Method, which is basically doses of nitrates, phosphates, sulfates, and trace elements three times a week with 50 percent water changes once a week. The plants have become thick and grow fast. I'm growing a couple types of milfoil, Heteranthera zosterifolia, and some Echinodorus (bleheri, cordifolius, and tenellus). There’s a large piece of twisted wood that will provide cover and caves. I live in New York City so I'm blessed with very soft water (2 degrees KH). Ph is steady around 6.4. Nitrates are usually between 5 and 10 ppm.
I'm considering either A. cacatuoides or A. agassizi along with a few pencil fish as dithers if I can find them. Right now I have some ottocinclus, cory cats, three different types of shrimp, and some snails. I’ll probably move the cats and shrimp out when the apistos move in.
I’ve heard that Apistos are sensitive to nitrates. Does anyone here have any experience keeping them with this kind of fertilizer regime?
I’m also wondering how many of either Apisto species will live happily in this tank. Can I keep more than one male? If not how many females should I get to go along with the one lucky male? The tank is 3 feet across and 18 inches wide.
Cheers,
Dave