Tank Setups for Hypancistrus spp.

[celticfish]

I have been getting bored with my previous setups.
So this past December saw me collecting substrate and rocks for the new setups.
These setups were mostly inspired by pictures of tank setups and pictures of plecos in the wild I saw from the L-Numbers Day I attended.

First up is a 4ft tank setup while the rest are 2ft tank setups.
All tanks run on HMF filters, one airstone and one powerhead.
No cannister tolerated... erm... required! :D



The rocks in this setup was very workable.
I was able to shape the holes easily with a small hammer and chisel.
This allowed me to widen the holes to fit various S-size and M-size caves into or through the holes in the rocks.
Forget this setup if you want to do a headcount daily.
I reckon the filtration system will be able to withstand the occassional dead pleco without catastrophic failure.
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/gallery/files/3/4/7/3/hypancistrus_setup_a.jpg


This "boulder" setup was easiest to do.
Just stack them up!
As above setup this one doesn't make doing a headcount easy.
Two samples here for more variation.
I think I need more rocks to choose from... :o
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/gallery/files/3/4/7/3/hypancistrus_setup_c.jpg


http://www.aquaticquotient.com/gallery/files/3/4/7/3/hypancistrus_setup_d.jpg



Last, very reminescent of my previous typical breeding setup.
This time built a little higher than just one tier.
I suppose you can go much higher if your tank is bigger than this 2ft tank.
Main selling point is ease of maintenance and doing headcounts.
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/gallery/files/3/4/7/3/hypancistrus_setup_b.jpg


More tank setups will be posted as and when I get time to do something new.
I hope pictures of the tank setups will inspire new "pleconitis" sufferers for something simple and nice to display at home.

Anyone with Hypancistrus spp. setup are welcome to add-on to this thread.
Please do not post pictures if you want a critique for your tanksetup.
Start a anew thread for that! ;)


PS - Sorry for the badly taken pictures.
Lighting was a big issue...

[SoToNgMaN]

rocks in your first setup ...

do they leech lime?

resultant in increase PH

[chilicrabz]

A sg-version of Haavard Store....and the setup should be based on Rio Xingu, with many rocks and boulders.

Nice..

[desmondekker]

wow, those caves are strong! nice living room kinda setup!

[barmby]

This is pleco porn in the making ...

[Champ-BKK]

All nice set up. I like the first one.

Not good for Bare bottom? Or look more natural with sand. ;)

[celticfish]

@ sotongman,
Yes, these rock make the water hard.
Its now hovering in the 7.6 to 7.8 range.
But I figure it will reduce its impact after some time and algae on the surface.

@ chillicrabz,
Hardley anything close to Haavard's tank!
Recall even the Germans were very impressed by the trouble he went through to make it.
I reckon what he has is a zoo display grade!

@ desmondekker,
The caves are quite hardy for the setups.
No issue or worry they will break under the weight.

@ barmby,
Same action but different storyline... :D

@ champ,
If you go bare bottom you will have difficulty to keep the rocks in the angle you want.
Which means you will need to level the bottom so it is stable and stays in the angle you want.
The gravel definitely helps "level" the rocks and boulders.
So you can tilt them to suit your arrangement.
Just make sure you have a good 2" or so of gravel.

[johannes]

really inspirational...:D