Bookshelf stream

I have built a 26''x10''x12''(h) tank to fit an empty space in my (very
robust) bookshelf. It is going to have an external filter (90 g/h)
with inflow and outflow placed on the opposite ends of the tank, so to
make a somewhat strong current. There will be two 11w fluorescent lights
hanging right over the (open) tank. Dark quartz gravel on the
bottom. I plan to put in the tank neon (or cardinal) tetras and otos.
Questions:

1) Will the persistent current in the tank stress the fishes? If yes,
could you suggest other species more suitable for that set-up?
2) How many of them would you put in the tank?
3) Which plants? I'd rather prefer species from South America, as the
fishes.
4) Do I really need to put a fertilizer under the gravel? If yes,
which one? If not, how should I fertilize?

Thanks for the answers, and for any suggestion.

FP

1) Will the persistent current in the tank stress the fishes? If yes,
could you suggest other species more suitable for that set-up?

It's tough to say. Your tank is about 15 gallons in capacity, and 90
gph is probably an appropriate filter size. My gut feeling is that the
fish you have selected will be okay, but keep an eye on it, as they
are small.

2) How many of them would you put in the tank?

Neons and cardinals are almost 0 bioloas. A school of 20-25 would be
attractive, along with a "cleanup" fish or two.

3) Which plants? I'd rather prefer species from South America, as the
fishes.

A word about plants in this tank. Plants need three things to thrive:
1. Light 2. CO2 3. Nutrients (fish poop and fertilizers). Your
lighting should be fine, but I am a bit worried abot the CO2,
depending on what kind of current you generate and where it is
located. A strong current near the surface could drive off a lot of
essential CO2. A CO2 test kit might be a good investment.

4) Do I really need to put a fertilizer under the gravel? If yes,
which one? If not, how should I fertilize?


It depends on what kind of plants you're getting and what kind of CO2
levels you have. If the current from your filter is driving off a lot
of CO2, CO2 will become the limiting factor for plant growth and
substrate fertilization would be superfluous.

Matthew Clark
Thanks for the answers, and for any suggestion.

FP

"F_P" wrote in message
...
I have built a 26''x10''x12''(h) tank to fit an empty space in my (very
robust) bookshelf. It is going to have an external filter (90 g/h)
with inflow and outflow placed on the opposite ends of the tank, so to
make a somewhat strong current. There will be two 11w fluorescent
lights
hanging right over the (open) tank. Dark quartz gravel on the
bottom. I plan to put in the tank neon (or cardinal) tetras and otos.
Questions:

1) Will the persistent current in the tank stress the fishes? If yes,
could you suggest other species more suitable for that set-up?

You will be at 6.7 times the volume of water per hour. While this is a
high rate of filtration, it's not going to create a very fast stream
effect. Small fish will need pockets where the current will not affect
them, (ie: to sleep). Better fish for continuous currents are fish which
are longer and more cylinderical (built for speed), like danios,
scissortail tetras etc, or there are many loaches which come from this
environment.

2) How many of them would you put in the tank?

It's 13.5g. With zebra danios, in a cycled tank, you could have 20-25 of
them.

3) Which plants? I'd rather prefer species from South America, as the
fishes.

http://www.mongabay.com/fish/preface.htm has lots of biotope information
(flora, fauna, water parameters).

4) Do I really need to put a fertilizer under the gravel? If yes,
which one? If not, how should I fertilize?

You will need to research the plants which would prosper in stream
conditions. This will narrow your choices, as many plants prefer a more
sedate lifestyle ;~) Injecting CO2 would help, but then you would need
to seal the canopy as the flow rate will tend to equalize the O2 and CO2
levels with the atmosphere at the surface.

Thanks for the answers, and for any suggestion.

Good luck and let us know how it progresses.
NetMax

FP

"F_P" wrote in message
...
I have built a 26''x10''x12''(h) tank to fit an empty space in my (very
robust) bookshelf. It is going to have an external filter (90 g/h)
with inflow and outflow placed on the opposite ends of the tank, so to
make a somewhat strong current. There will be two 11w fluorescent lights
hanging right over the (open) tank. Dark quartz gravel on the
bottom. I plan to put in the tank neon (or cardinal) tetras and otos.
Questions:

1) Will the persistent current in the tank stress the fishes? If yes,
could you suggest other species more suitable for that set-up?
2) How many of them would you put in the tank?
3) Which plants? I'd rather prefer species from South America, as the
fishes.
4) Do I really need to put a fertilizer under the gravel? If yes,
which one? If not, how should I fertilize?

Thanks for the answers, and for any suggestion.

FP
Perfect tank for a rubber nosed pleco

Bob

Thanks a lot for the answers!
As for the canopy, I'm going to explore the possibility of filling a large
fraction of the surface with floating plants (maybe kept in place with thin
nylon threads).
It'll be my pleasure to let you know how it goes (and ask more questions
along the way).

FP