Klaus3
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Hi!
New member, so please excuse the long post. Bought cheap 55 gallon with stand and hood recently (all for $75!) and my plan is for a Himalayan biotope aquarium, because this region interest me and it not something that one sees often. There are several rivers that come in question, but I think to focus on foothill area of the Tista (or Teesta) River in Assam region south of Kalimpong would be easiest. This is rocky river with good water flow. So I plan lots of rocks with substrate as mixture of different coarse sand/gravel and maybe couple pieces of driftwood, that “snagged” on stones in river. Heater would not be necessary most of year – maybe only in middle of winter.
So I have 2 questions. It appears that the river manifold design with 2 powerheads would be best setup to recreate unidirectional river flow? I think to also use for filtration a canister filter, but not sure to go with a 264 or 525 gph model or if I need 2 filters (the 264gph canister and some other type – power filter would disrupt unidirectional flow though?).
Other question was about stocking. I have thought to have a school of Rosy Barbs as focus of aquarium. Like the idea of mixed school of barbs like Chola or Ticto Barb with rosy barbs like in wild, but not sure if this good idea or not. Some other possibilities, for advice, as I am not sure how many species and individuals to select for each level. Below some possible species for Himalayan biotope (obviously, I will not stock all of these in 55 gallons!).
Schooling surface fish:
- Zebra Danio (not sure how common they are foothills – more lowland fish I think)
- Bengal Danio or Giant Danio
- Flying Barb (but a little sensitive to water quality, so not sure about this)
Midlevel schooling fish:
- Rosy Barb
- Chola Barb
- Ticto Barb
Bottom Dwelling Fish:
- Yoyo Loach or Bengal Loach
- Zipper Loach (Acanthocobitis botia) – not seen locally but very common in region, kind of like this species
- Schistura loaches – none locally
- Mystus tengara catfish – not sure how common in foothills. Would like a catfish species, but can schooling catfish and loach be mixed or only loach or catfish not the other?
- Hara hara (hard to find, probably not good idea with barbs or other more aggressive fish)
Invertebrates:
would like to keep shrimp if possible, but admit that barbs and catfish/loach make this hard. Indian Zebra Shrimp is probably out of question as too small, but what about redclaw Macrobrachium shrimp? Problem is aggression and what fish it might eat.
Plants:
Not sure, that much plant life in this biotope. Valisneria, Limnophila and Myriphyllum occur in slower lowland areas, but not sure about in the foothills.
- Java Fern?
- Java Moss
I know, that is a lot, but I have done my research before I ask question and would appreciate others advice. Thanks!
New member, so please excuse the long post. Bought cheap 55 gallon with stand and hood recently (all for $75!) and my plan is for a Himalayan biotope aquarium, because this region interest me and it not something that one sees often. There are several rivers that come in question, but I think to focus on foothill area of the Tista (or Teesta) River in Assam region south of Kalimpong would be easiest. This is rocky river with good water flow. So I plan lots of rocks with substrate as mixture of different coarse sand/gravel and maybe couple pieces of driftwood, that “snagged” on stones in river. Heater would not be necessary most of year – maybe only in middle of winter.
So I have 2 questions. It appears that the river manifold design with 2 powerheads would be best setup to recreate unidirectional river flow? I think to also use for filtration a canister filter, but not sure to go with a 264 or 525 gph model or if I need 2 filters (the 264gph canister and some other type – power filter would disrupt unidirectional flow though?).
Other question was about stocking. I have thought to have a school of Rosy Barbs as focus of aquarium. Like the idea of mixed school of barbs like Chola or Ticto Barb with rosy barbs like in wild, but not sure if this good idea or not. Some other possibilities, for advice, as I am not sure how many species and individuals to select for each level. Below some possible species for Himalayan biotope (obviously, I will not stock all of these in 55 gallons!).
Schooling surface fish:
- Zebra Danio (not sure how common they are foothills – more lowland fish I think)
- Bengal Danio or Giant Danio
- Flying Barb (but a little sensitive to water quality, so not sure about this)
Midlevel schooling fish:
- Rosy Barb
- Chola Barb
- Ticto Barb
Bottom Dwelling Fish:
- Yoyo Loach or Bengal Loach
- Zipper Loach (Acanthocobitis botia) – not seen locally but very common in region, kind of like this species
- Schistura loaches – none locally
- Mystus tengara catfish – not sure how common in foothills. Would like a catfish species, but can schooling catfish and loach be mixed or only loach or catfish not the other?
- Hara hara (hard to find, probably not good idea with barbs or other more aggressive fish)
Invertebrates:
would like to keep shrimp if possible, but admit that barbs and catfish/loach make this hard. Indian Zebra Shrimp is probably out of question as too small, but what about redclaw Macrobrachium shrimp? Problem is aggression and what fish it might eat.
Plants:
Not sure, that much plant life in this biotope. Valisneria, Limnophila and Myriphyllum occur in slower lowland areas, but not sure about in the foothills.
- Java Fern?
- Java Moss
I know, that is a lot, but I have done my research before I ask question and would appreciate others advice. Thanks!