A few of my planted ripariums - Page 4

Mworks · #31 (**permalink**) 07-07-2009, 06:17 AM

Stunning tanks - a real inspiration of what can be achieved if you have the 'eye' and the skill.
+ Rep points for your input.
Keep the photos coming.

Regards
Marcus

housevibe7 · #32 (**permalink**) 07-07-2009, 04:17 PM

Ok, I was impressed before, but then I read the whole article over at the planted tank forum. Now I am REALLY impressed

Well done.

hydrophyte · #33 (**permalink**) 07-16-2009, 06:59 AM

I got a few shots of the 65 tonight.

This one is shaping up a little bit better.

You can see the fish in this shot if you look at it full-size.

hydrophyte · #34 (**permalink**) 07-22-2009, 06:36 AM

I got a quick shot of the 20-gallon tonight.

This one has a pretty dull selection of plants, but it is nice to have in the room for some bright green foliage and I like to watch the fish too. This setup is quite low maintenance. I did a little bit of rearranging before getting this shot. I should come back in a couple days after the plants have had a chance to settle back into place.

vivariman · #35 (**permalink**) 07-22-2009, 09:34 PM

I am stunned at the beauty of these tanks.... really makes me want to make some of my own. What substrates are you using on the bottom of the tanks and in the planters? In one of your larger tanks, a school of 5-8 of a small species of hatchetfish would look amazing.

Keep up the good work!

Caden

hydrophyte · #36 (**permalink**) 07-22-2009, 11:06 PM

Hey you're just over in Elm Grove. I could drop off plants for you--I have a lot of 'em.

Both of these have pool filter sand on the tank floor with a top dressing of a larger rounded pebble. The planters have clay gravel product (Turface) similar to the substrates often used in planted tanks.

Hatchetfish would be cool in one of these. That they offer a view of the water's surface is another nice feature of riparium tanks.

chinoanoah · #37 (**permalink**) 07-23-2009, 12:51 AM

I am enthralled....

is a canister filter required for this type of setup?

I want to make one with tiger barbs or red cherry shrimp.. oooh I am so tempted! I have two empty 20g and a 55g... hmm...

Please keep posting pics!

hydrophyte · #38 (**permalink**) 07-23-2009, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinoanoah

I am enthralled....

is a canister filter required for this type of setup?

I want to make one with tiger barbs or red cherry shrimp.. oooh I am so tempted! I have two empty 20g and a 55g... hmm...

Please keep posting pics!

For that 20 I just used a cheap submersible filter. Canisters are much better for larger tanks. I installed a Filstar in my 55 crypts display, applying a simple plumbing modification so that it could reach down to the water. Here is a shot of the return fitting with a 9" section of 1/2" PVC attached with a vinyl hose sleeve.

A 55 is a pretty good size, if rather long and flat. It provides a lot of planting spacing along that rear pane of glass. A 90, which is similar in shape, but deeper, would be better for a more naturalistic scape. I hope to put together one of these in a 90 next.

hydrophyte · #39 (**permalink**) 07-23-2009, 08:56 PM

I have that filter mod described in a thread over on The Planted Tank Forums:

Riparium Mod: Filstar intake & return

hydrophyte · #40 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 04:33 AM

I did a little more gardening in my 55-gallon Cryptocoryne-themed tank. I think it is looking better. I need to get a few more crypts into the underwater foreground to brighten that area up.

There are fish in there. A few of the barbs are visible there in the lower right.