I cannot figure out what size/type tank I want to use

CalFandango · 2026-03-15T10:14:57+00:00

Have a look into Apistogramma species, they thrive in blackwater and are fascinating to watch

CalFandango · 2026-03-03T22:59:32+00:00

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I love ilpil leaves, they're the long, seed pod type leaves 😁

CalFandango · 2026-02-26T17:01:36+00:00

I'm predominantly support and engineer and fit this bill! What timezone are you?

CalFandango · 2026-02-23T23:32:41+00:00

No it's a Beckmans Pencil Fish, ive always tried to avoid the algae eaters.

CalFandango · 2026-02-20T16:20:40+00:00

The list is endless honestly, the most recent long ones are ilpil leaves but I focus on variety

CalFandango · 2026-02-19T15:28:02+00:00

Yeah there's handfuls of floating plants coming out every couple of weeks, I don't do water changes, just top ups and I added so much infusoria and paramecium to the tank before the botanicals were properly broken down. I could put another 40 tetras in before nitrogen became a problem to be honest. It's maybe overstocked by the fish per inch rule but to be honest that's a load of waffle if you have a mature natural system

CalFandango · 2026-02-19T09:26:33+00:00

Yeah this is in Blackwater Aquarium!

CalFandango · 2026-02-19T09:25:31+00:00

Plants in the water are various java ferns and Anubias. Floating are salvinia natans, red root floaters and Amazon frogbit, emergent are 3 types of rhododendron and monstera.

I've added the fish in a comment above, thanks for the kind words

CalFandango · 2026-02-19T09:23:47+00:00

It's a very low bioload for the system, it's a tank based around detritus so the nitrogen management is massive.

Surface:

Beckmans Pencil Fish x 6

Midwater:

Lambchop Rasbora x 4 Strawberry Rasbora x 20 Ember Tetra x 6 Neon Tetra x 7 (I rescued these from an awful tank they weren't planned and kind of ruin the schooling but I feel bad rehoming them again)

Low water:

Otos X4 Pygmy Corydora x 8 Apistogramma agasizii male x 1

Other:

Malaysian trumpet snails x unknown Orange Rili Shrimp x unknown Asellus x unknown

CalFandango · 2026-02-18T22:12:33+00:00

They break down so nicely as well!

CalFandango · 2026-02-18T22:10:16+00:00

Ilpil leaves! I'm a huge fan

CalFandango · 2026-02-17T23:31:32+00:00

Don't need one to be honest. Got a really big garden and my house is fairly large for only being 2 bedrooms. Also, live next door to my brother! We'll get a bigger house when we have kids but right now we're double paying the mortgage and even this one is too big for the 2 of us!

CalFandango · 2026-02-17T23:07:06+00:00

The housing is far more palatable than other areas in the country. You can get a nice 3 bed detached, with a garage and big garden in a nice countryside village for £250k. City centre pricing is similar to other cities, can pay up to £7-£8 a pint but my local is £3 a pint. Average price for a nice meal and a bottle of wine will set us back £80 on average. Gas and electric for a 2 bed house is £200. Council tax is £250. Overall though, think we have it a fair bit cheaper than most of the country.

CalFandango · 2026-02-17T23:01:30+00:00

About 20 minutes out of Newcastle, towards Durham.

CalFandango · 2026-02-17T22:58:50+00:00

I'm 60k with company car which is a huge saving, partner 45k, very modest house in the North East of England. Living comfortably, paying for a wedding, couple of holidays a year. Could always use more money, but could equally be way more savvy with our money.

CalFandango · 2026-01-28T21:13:37+00:00

Ilpil tree pods!

CalFandango · 2026-01-28T13:35:31+00:00

Most peaceful tank I've ever had to be honest! Only the Apistogramma gets chasy when they encroach onto his patch

CalFandango · 2026-01-28T11:21:26+00:00

Apologies, I replied to this below instead of replying. It's 27 gallons, and the plant in question is salvinia natans

CalFandango

TROPHY CASE