Black cube 123

[Edvet]

I started a black water cube, as part of a learning proces.

It's filled with RO water only, it has had some peat in it (granules in a bag) to darken it.
Catappa leaves will be added. It has a small 3000k Ledunit (dutch link:JMB Aqua Led - "AMAZON" | Aquarium LED verlichting | JMB Cichlids).
The whole right and backside is made from one big black 5 cm thick piece of filterfoam. in the corner behind it is a small nanofilter (200 lit/hr) which has a small finer filter foam cartridge. So the whole black filter functions as a Hamburger matten filter. This way i hope i can leave it in, without disturbing it, for a long time. I have cut out some horizontal channels in the sides wich are flat on the glass in order to have a bigger piece of the foam involved in the filter. I will try to get some Microsorum pteropis stuck in it, and/or some moss.
There is a RO unit next to it so i can leave the unit running a few hours a day.
I will be trying some "wild" betta's in it, seeing if i can breed them.

 

[Lee Sweeting]

It looks great Edvet. Watching with interest. Good look with breeding the Betta's

 

[tim]

Very nice edvet, really want a setup like this for licorice gouramis, wife won't allow another tank at the moment though subscribed.

 

[Edvet]

Last pic before i went home (it's at my workplace). I'll bring my DLSR tomorow. (i added daphnia, hence the speccles )

 

[Edvet]

First inhabitants: rasbora pauciperforata

 

[Edvet]

Should be B. macrostoma, i have 2 females, one male.

 

[Edvet]

One more nub question for all the specialists out there. I am thinking of adding Sulawesi shrimp. Would that work?

 

[MARKCOUSINS]

Really like your set up!I would think it a bit dodgy to add shrimp with the Betta in the tank.Cheers Mark

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

I am thinking of adding Sulawesi shrimp. Would that work?

I've never kept them, but I think they need harder water. I think a few members (Paulo?) have kept C. dennerli.

cheers Darrel

 

[tim]

I think Sulawesi shrimp require alkaline water edvet, probably not suitable for a black water setup.

 

[BigTom]

I've never kept them either but as far as I know pretty all species need hard and relatively specific water conditions. Also your macrostoma are going to end up over 10cm long and chunky and I'm willing to bet will demolish anything shrimp sized.

 

[Edvet]

What cleaners for black water then? There are shrimp in their environment, macrobrachiums i think.

 

[Edvet]

 

[Edvet]

First year catappa harvest.

 

[Ravenswing]

First year catappa harvest.

Not bad! It seems that some of leaves are quite big?!

And oh, gongrats, the tank is just superb!

 

[Edvet]

The fresh leaves on the plant are 25-30 cm.

Terminalia | UK Aquatic Plant Society

 

[Edvet]

I am still wondering about the light levels. the led produces app 850 lumen. It looks dark to the eye. It might be enough for mosses/javafern, but there is going to be an black water crypt.
I can easily add a second unit (probably will).

 

[Edvet]

 

[Edvet]

I am wondering if it's not Betta albimarginata in steaf of macrostoma.
I will try to get male on a pic, he's photoshy

 

[Edvet]

Got the male, gotta bring a mirror i guess.