Planted Mbuna Tank

35565 Views 84 Replies 38 Participants Last post by travis, Dec 30, 2007

Raul-7

Discussion Starter · Nov 29, 2004

4

Well I have met up with Travis Simonson(who is a member of this board) on The Age of Aquariums to ask whether he would like to show off his beautiful planted Mbuna tank, and he agreed. Take a look at his tank, which I think is a great accomplishment because he actually took the risk of using plants other than Anubias and Microsorum; and all I have to say is that it is awesome!

The Tank-

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travis

· #61 · Mar 19, 2006 (Edited)

3

I took some full tank pictures last night. The aquascape is still not at a mature state, but I think I've got things where I want them and am now just letting it grow in and trimming as necessary.

A shot of some Riccia from above with a Ps. demasoni floating over it:

A full tank shot:

And an oblique angle shot:

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javoski

· #62 · Mar 21, 2006

Your tank looks absolutely gorgeous for a couples of years now .... and I say that even if you didn´t keep african cichlids in it.
Considering the cichlids, I´m sure you already pushed the bundaries of the hobby. And your thank is famous here in Brazil also. Congrats

And can you identify, please, this red plant in your photo below?

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travis

· #63 · Mar 26, 2006

Thank you javoski

The red plant in the picture is Ludwigia glandulosa. It is, without a doubt, my favorite of the Ludwigia genus because of its unique coloration. I just wish it was more prolific.

dennis

· #64 · Mar 26, 2006

Beautiful tank Travis, beautiful!

Raul-7

Discussion Starter · #65 · Mar 26, 2006

I can't believe I missed the new pictures, but it looks amazing! I really like the Hydrocotyle verticillata foreground there; my only concern is that the Cyperus seems to be suffering?

I really hope you enter it at the AGA 2006 - I bet the judges would be stunned by the quality.

travis

· #66 · Apr 19, 2006

Thanks guys, I'm still working on it of course. And no worries Raul, that isn't Cyperus helferi anymore. What you see in the new pics is some recently planted Blyxa aubertii. It resembles C. helferi in shape, but coloration is notably darker, it is more robust in my hard water, and it flowers readily underwater. I think I'm really beginning to like it

Overfloater

· #67 · Jun 7, 2006

Update Travis.. Update

Six

· #68 · Jun 8, 2006

i cant see the pics either.

not that i really like mbuna, but isnt that kind of a low pH to keep them? i mean, i know they can live through torture, but I dunno, that's not really emulating reality.

then again, who keeps biotopes? lol. nevermind!

Bavarian3

· #69 · Jun 8, 2006

Six said:
i cant see the pics either.

not that i really like mbuna, but isnt that kind of a low pH to keep them? i mean, i know they can live through torture, but I dunno, that's not really emulating reality.

then again, who keeps biotopes? lol. nevermind!

Take a look at his fish and how much they breed and see ask again if PH is a problem

-Charles

travis

· #70 · Jul 5, 2006 (Edited)

3

Been gone for some time and felt like I should post some new pics. Yes, I do keep the fish at low (~7.2-7.4) pH for mbuna but I've found that they do quite well at this level. Purists may disagree but the fish show no signs of distress, breed heavily, and eat like starving soldiers

Most plants except some Rotala spp. and Tonina spp. do well in the relatively high pH/KH environment.

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Ajax

· #71 · Jul 5, 2006

Looks great Travis! The P. Helferi filled in nicely!

Tankman

· #72 · Jul 5, 2006

Wow, looking gr8! Congrats!

Bavarian3

· #73 · Jul 5, 2006

Amazing travis, ive always been shocked at the plants youve been able to keep under these conditions and with such health.

The mbuna must all be huge by now as well, im sure youve had to get rid of some of the stock to keep them in check?

Keep up the good work.

-Charles

ranmasatome

· #74 · Jul 5, 2006

Travis.. Wonderful wonderful tank... love it everytime i look at it..

Skelley

· #75 · Oct 6, 2006

I am in awe. I am starting a cichlid tank and I will be looking to yours for inspiration. I must have missed it somewhere in the thread...what is your wpg and fert regime?

travis

· #76 · Jan 25, 2007 (Edited)

2

Not much new to add but I have gotten P. stellata "Fine-leaf" doing well.

And a shot of Lurlene, my always-carrying trailer-trash girl:

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ed seeley

· #77 · Jan 25, 2007

Can't believe that tank has mbuna in it! Looks amazing.

I agree with you on the pH. As long as it stays alkaline they don't seem to mind.

Amazing job, well done. :clap2:

travis

· #78 · Apr 25, 2007

4

Here are latest photos of the tank. I've rescaped extensively since my last photo post. It isn't quite fully grown-in yet, probably will be in about a month, but this is how it stands today.

Left Side

Center

Right Side

Full Tank

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rich311k

· #79 · Apr 25, 2007

What a great looking tank. Looking forward to the grown in pictures.

Genin

· #80 · Apr 25, 2007

WOW *bows down*. That looks awesome. My wife used to keep cichlids like that. Your tank must be awesome to watch.

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