Shadow45

Is there anyway I could I make this into a Natural tank??
What would happen if I did NOT cap the soil?
Can you use MTS with a NPT?

This is the tank set-up I have planned.


Bio-type of the Rio Sucasar, Peru [or same area]

a small 'Pure Backwater' tributary near the confluence of the Rio Napo and the Amazon River about 5 hours downriver from Iquitos, Peru


This tank with have absolutely no rocks, and hopefully lots of drift wood. almond leafs to get the leafy bottom. This tank will be covered in swords, jungle valls and stems. Ill subdue the lighting with some floating riccia andamazon frogbit. Which will also give the hatchets some hiding places.


The Canopy:

* Odyssea 2x54 watt 6500

The Tributary:

* Mineralized soil
* Eco Complete
* Lots of driftwood
* Heater


Vegetation:

* swords
* Riccia
* Algae Id like to grow some for the ottos [I know crazy]
* Vallisneria
* some sort of stems


Inhabitants:

* 4 German Blue rams [2m/2f]
* 30 Rummy-nose tetra
* 15 Corydoras aeneus [bronze/green cory]
* 10 ottos
* 12 hatchet fish
* live food/cleaners: cherry shrimp, Blackworms and MT Snails

davemonkey

That all sounds fine. If you do not cap the soil, make sure you do a rinse on it first to get out floating particles. Then, do not use a fliter or powerhead as this will keep the upper part of your soil agitated and keep particles suspended in the water. If your water is still, you soil should stay in place (I did an experiment with this once).

I'm guessing with your fish load that you have at least a 55 gal to 75 gal aquarium?

Shadow45

Thanks, and Yes its a 75g.

I was planning on using MTS. Then have leaves basically as the top subtrate.