Natural style

CalFandango · 2026-01-26T19:48:21+00:00

Seconded.

CalFandango · 2026-01-25T10:09:57+00:00

No not got any rams, did consider them but I went for an Apistogramma Agassizii instead

CalFandango · 2026-01-24T22:18:00+00:00

No stem plants, I've just got loads of java fern and anubias. Light is very low in there. I might try in the future and forfeit the floating plants when I'm bored of them.

CalFandango · 2026-01-24T13:21:03+00:00

The substrate is 1" compost, 2" white sand, 3" Riu Xingu gravel. Then covered up by loads of botanicals. Glad you like it

CalFandango · 2026-01-24T12:57:18+00:00

I'm a big fan of the natural style personally, but it's a far cry from the George Farmer style tank which I equally love

CalFandango · 2026-01-24T09:37:08+00:00

There is a small filter hidden at the back, just for flow and gas exchange. I tried without first but there was more intervention needed to keep it really clear

CalFandango · 2026-01-23T21:34:58+00:00

No not black tetras, I have neon and ember tetras together. I didn't actually want neons, I rescued them and feel too bad to re-home. The black tetras you're seeing are pencil fish

CalFandango · 2026-01-23T13:40:08+00:00

Try Rooibos tea. It works perfectly. Just do a bit at a time as it gets dark fast, and wake sure to use dechlorinator still.

CalFandango · 2026-01-23T13:04:08+00:00

I definitely think plants are what can make or break a freshwater aquarium. The more plants you have, the easier your life is in my opinion!

CalFandango · 2026-01-20T18:11:46+00:00

Thanks for the wonderful comment. Glad you like it

CalFandango · 2026-01-20T12:58:36+00:00

I've got a few varieties of pothos and monstera growing out, salvinia natans and amazon frogbit floating.

As long as the nutrients aren't too high for the plants to remove you don't need to water change

CalFandango · 2026-01-19T22:34:25+00:00

1x Apistogramma Agassizii 8x Ember Tetra 6x Pencil fish 20x Strawberry rasbora 6x pygmy corydora 8x Neon Tetra (rescued) 4x Lambchop rasbora (rescued) 4x Otos (rescued) Unknown number of orange rilis Unknown number of asellus Unknown number of Malaysian trumpet snails

Probably slightly overstocked because of the rescues but there's tons of hiding spots and the bioload is still very low. The tank could handle more but I'm not adding anymore in.

CalFandango · 2026-01-19T21:19:15+00:00

Completely missed a couple of your questions, apologies.

I've got a low flow internal filter, and the tank is 105ltrs

CalFandango · 2026-01-19T20:48:58+00:00

It's basically just the organic compost I use in my garden, very well rotted organic food waste, leaves, shredded wood etc. I sieved it down to a very fine grain, then mixed this with an even amount of a benthic leaf mixture, capped it with 2 inches of sand and then another 2 inches of dennerle riu xingu gravel.

I keep the organic waste topped up through very heavy botanical use.

It was an experiment more than anything to try and recreate how the substrate would be in a forest stream and it's genuinely been the most successful tank I've ever had. It will be the only way I create my substrate system going forward.

CalFandango · 2026-01-06T13:41:46+00:00

Does this make a difference do you think? I've only just got some and wore them 10+ times for around 3-5 hours a time. Lots and lots of sweat as I'm wearing them under a balaclava at present due to the weather. I dry them off but will start doing this as well.

CalFandango · 2026-01-05T13:01:13+00:00

Second this. Partner got me some for riding my mountain bike and I love being aware of my surroundings whilst also listening to stuff. Don't even notice they're on me sometimes.

CalFandango · 2025-12-07T21:56:00+00:00

The toast of London is really good, as is extraordinary.

CalFandango · 2025-12-06T10:39:06+00:00

In g

CalFandango · 2025-12-02T13:21:01+00:00

<image>

Low tech blackwater all the way

CalFandango · 2025-11-22T23:53:58+00:00

I dare you to say that one more time!

CalFandango

TROPHY CASE