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Apisto Cockatoo 2 foot project!


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#1 Rudy

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Posted 07 August 2006 - 09:54 PM

Guys and girls,

I'm looking at setting up a two footer for a pair of apistos. I really like the look of black substrate, so I'd like to use that. I also like the look of driftwood, but will only use it if it will help to keep the fish.

I've never seriously dealt with plants in aquaria, my Malawi cichlids tend to destroy them very quickly. What plants should I use?

I'd like to include other fish as dithers and have had white clouds as a possibility. Can I use cardinals or neons instead?

Has anyone also kept freshwater shrimp? Could i keep them in this little setup?

I'm sorry for the volume of questions, but this is a slightly new world for a Malawi breeder!

Thanks,
Rudy

#2 Terry

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Posted 07 August 2006 - 10:51 PM

Hi Rudy
Black substrate and driftwood are ok, if you want the parents to raise the fry don't include dithers or shrimp they will take the fry.
A. cacatuoides are easy to spawn but the females tend to kill off the males if you keep them in small tanks. Give them lots of spawning sites and lots of places for the boys to retreat to after spawning.
I use 36 x 24 X 15" high tanks to breed A. nijsseni A. borelli and A. agassizii, I put 3 pr in each tank with 6 x 3" terracotta pots that have small openings cut in the sides, plants are placed in front of the openings. It doesn't matter what plants you use.
These colonys get on well together, there is always a dominate male but they never harm each other.
Cheers Terry

#3 Rudy

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Posted 10 August 2006 - 04:39 PM

Decided to increase the size of my new fishes home from a 2 footer. Just purchased a brand new 30" tank from Aquatastic with some driftwood.

Would it be sufficiently big for 2 pairs of apistos? I'm in love with the cockatoos, what other breed should i look at?

Going to perth aquatic tonight to get some black substrate and some fertilizer, and hopefully a few plants.

Will post pics when i get it set up!

#4 Dan

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Posted 10 August 2006 - 04:59 PM

hey sounds good.
can't wait for pics!


I'm thinking of taking the plunge as well and get a pair of cacs as well.

Can they be kept in a 4 foot with an angel and a pair of kribs?
Theres lots of plants and lots of dithers, 15 cardinals and 15 rummy noses.

#5 Rudy

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Posted 10 August 2006 - 11:33 PM

Brought the tank home and added the substrate and driftwood to the tank. Filled the tank but...

... the driftwood is floating on the top of my tank!

Any ideas on how to stop it floating?

Rudy

#6 jon

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Posted 11 August 2006 - 08:35 AM

stick something heavy on it
i did the same thing when i set up my tank. i was oddly suprised, i mean, obviously the wood was going to float, and yet it took me completely by suprise.

#7 Dave76

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Posted 11 August 2006 - 10:28 AM

Hi Rudy

Depending on the size of it you can also boil it in a pot of water - this helps is absorb water faster, and also will cause it to leech some of its tannins as well.

Dave

#8 bushie

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Posted 11 August 2006 - 07:08 PM

easiest way from my experience is,

pull the wood out and screw some flat peices of ( wood, plastic or inert metals to the side of the base and then bury them into the gravel...
works for me
BUSHIE

#9 Rudy

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Posted 11 August 2006 - 07:21 PM

Will it sink on its own eventually?

#10 Graeme

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Posted 11 August 2006 - 07:29 PM

Hi Rudy

yes it will eventually stay down on its own
Bushies idea is a good one
I keep a old bathtub in the back yard and leave my wood in there to soak up water and sink
Dont worry too much if it leaches tannins (tea colour) the apistos will actually like it.
Seaview aquariums has been bringing SLS apistos across lately and have got some lovely ones in( although expensive)

Graeme

#11 Rudy

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Posted 11 August 2006 - 07:43 PM



The tank day two- Check out the wood still floating!

#12 anchar

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Posted 11 August 2006 - 07:51 PM

Gidday Rudy,
I did say the wood will float for a week or too and I also said that boiling it would help speed up the sinking process. Just weigh it down...it will eventually become water-logged. It was sitting in the bottom of the pond until around April this year, so it does sink.

Andrea smile.gif

#13 Rudy

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Posted 11 August 2006 - 08:00 PM

You did indeed! I've pinned down the bigger piece with the filter for now. The little piece i may try to boil.

#14 duck

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Posted 11 August 2006 - 09:21 PM

What's the white stuff?

#15 pacco

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Posted 11 August 2006 - 10:29 PM

Do you have polystyrene under the tank or is it directly on the bench?

#16 bushie

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Posted 11 August 2006 - 10:46 PM

no foam under that tank.

#17 pacco

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Posted 11 August 2006 - 10:48 PM

That's what it looked like. Personally I would strongly suggest putting a sheet of poly under it, it's just not worth the risk not using poly.

#18 Rudy

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Posted 12 August 2006 - 06:58 PM

The white spots are oxygen bubbles caught under the substrate and yeah, no poly. I've had tanks before without a base with no issues, but I will get some to be safe.

The wood seems to have settled, and i've managed to keep it down (just) by placing my filter over it.

Meanwhile the suction caps on my Eheim aquaball were completely hard and didn't stick at all. I purchased new ones from my LFS.

But then.... THE OLD SUCTION CAPS BROKE OFF BITS OF THE HOUSING....

:evil: sad.gif

#19 Rudy

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Posted 12 August 2006 - 07:02 PM

I've removed the pic it was too big!

I've also noticed the beginning of some long, light green algae trailing off some of my plants. Should I be worried?

My water is surprisingly neutral. I thought I'd see some acidity with the driftwood and CO2.

#20 anchar

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Posted 12 August 2006 - 07:49 PM

Rudy, I would definately put poly under it. I would also trail your fingers through the substrate to release the pocketted air.

Andrea smile.gif




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