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75 Gallon Rescape: Bichir Tank

17K views 107 replies 6 participants last post by  Chesh 
#1 ·
So after multiple times of rescaping my 75 gallon I've finally come up with something that makes me happy and also fits well with the current stock.

The 75 gallon is running on a 70 Aquaclear, a 20 gallon Whisper, and Slim20 Marina. It's got loads of live plants including a giant anubias I had to split and is awkward to place (the thing is growing too well!), a large Java Fern Mat, A crypt, Water Sprite, and Water Wisteria. I've also still got some plastic plants in there to help out with the greenery.

The tank has a sand substrate, and runs on a lower light set up because none of my fish appreciate strong light. Although as my plants fill out I hope to eventually switch over to a bigger and better light.

The stock of fish include:
2 Gray Senegals
1 Ornate Bichir (half grown)
4 Yoyo Loach
1 Hybrid Peacock Cichlid (assuming it's a hybrid)
2 Apple Snails

Eventually the Cichlid and 4 yoyo Loach will get moved into a 50 gallon of their own.

Pictures:






Video:





My idea is to create on one side a lush planted area. My Senegals appreciate that because they are still a bit wary of the Ornate. The ornate I have had for a few months now. I got her when she was 4-5 inches, terrified (after being kept in a tiny 5 gallon with no hide spot), and would have gone into a 50 gallon if I didn't buy her first.

She has decided within the month of May to start coming out more often. She has hit probably close to a foot (have not measured)....and I noticed she was getting discouraged from exploring due to the clutter she kept running into. So I removed a few things and cleared up her territory so that she has more room to scoot around at the bottom and exercise her fins.

The senegals are finally calming down after the sudden appearance of this tank mate they are used to not seeing. My loaches are as happy as ever always digging up plants and pissing me off. The cichlid is rather happy taking on good coloration and eating better now. I am open to plant suggestions to fill out that one side of the tank. Right now I have a hollow of sorts behind the plants giving the senegals a refuge to dart to and feel completely safe.
 
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#3 ·
Thanks Ches...

So I waited around a bit with the Camera and sure enough the ornate came out:

 
#7 ·
Thanks :3

I'm hoping the rescape will encourage her to swim around instead of hiding all the time. That can't be good for her muscles. If you notice she has a bit of trouble making it up to a breach because she doesn't exercise.
 
#5 ·
Very nice, I love Bichirs. If I set up another large tank, that is what I would have.

Back in my bad ignorant days I had one (Dinosaur) ... in a 10 gallon :oops:

He got moved into a new, larger, and better home for proper care when I moved, and is still alive to this day (moved 5 years ago). But I understand they are a very long lived fish.

Still, it was a lot of fun to feed him live foods. I had a jaw dropping, eyes wide reaction when I saw for the first time just how wide they can open their mouth to chomp down on a feeder fish :shock:
 
#6 ·
That poor thing. You can keep a baby in a 20 gallon for growing out but it's great that yours is in a nice home and still kicking. I went from 20 gallon, to 50, and now to 75 for these darlings. Though I don't like the idea of feeding them live feeder fish. Too much risk involved with disease transmission and it can have the same effect that giving a live mouse has to a snake.
 
#8 ·
This is just another update:



This is after a water change. Note to self never wait, not even a few days no matter how much your body hurts.
 
#11 ·
Wow, that loach really loves the camera!
Those bichir are so happy looking! Is the 75 their last tank? Are those full grown?
:D
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That's just one of the four mischief makers. Right now they are zooming around the tank, fencing, spinning, and doing all sorts of acrobatics.

The two gray senegals are probably as full grown as they are going to get. I don't know if they topped out to the full 12 inches they can get to. The ornate is only a little over half grown. For these three this is their final tank for now. I'd love to be able to one day upgrade to a 100 gal or more but I don't trust the flooring of this old house. If I ever move into a house with a more stable floor they will see an upgrade to a 120 at least.

The loaches on the other hand, I don't trust what will one day be between 2-5 inch fish with a 1.5 to 2 foot monster. So I plant to either reset up my 50 gallon just for them, or if I can find a good 3 foot tank at decent price do that instead.
 
#13 ·
Thanks :3

But wait there is more! Feeding time this morning had an exciting response from all the bichirs, including the ornate. I didn't catch the frenzy on cam, but I caught the ornate scavenging around for anything that might have been missed. I'll have that up soon, once I cut together the best bits of video.
 
#14 ·
I've got it up now, might be a bit before the audio swap puts the music in:



Queen loves to come out now and scavenge. She's like a pretty vacuum cleaner.
 
#16 ·
I know that this my 75 gallon thread, but my 5 gallon Betta tank is looking nice. Thanks to Termato BlueGill has a really nice planted tank:

Also pay attention, I think those are snail eggs you see on the moss. I found them in my 75 gallon, and it appears my Golden Apple Snails are the egg layers.
 
#17 ·
I've got some unusual video. 3 of my four Yoyo Loaches were out and about playing before supper time. They do this a lot but it's the first I've caught them on camera. Not as active as the usually are...but the really active play tends to happen after they get their bellies full.

 
#19 ·
Yep, they were super happy and wiggly one supper was put down. If I ever get them into their own tank I'm adding more of them. They are so much fun to watch.
 
#20 · (Edited)
So I've reached an important step with my tank. I found a really nice (and affordable) bit of drift wood. This thing has to be close to 3 feet long, it was fairly clean, and isn't leaching much in the way of tannins. It floats though so I have to drill some holes if it doesn't saturate and sink:





I'm going to probably drill some holes into the ends and through-out the length to try to increase it's ability to sink and create holes I can use to tie plants down. I'm so excited, this will open up some good possibilities scape and plant wise (at least for keeping those plants down)
 
#22 ·
I can just imagine the loaches zooming around it's length and doing circles and dancing around it. I really should have taken the time to look at what else the lady had. If I ever go back I'll take some pictures because I know a few people are looking for some nice quality wood.

This piece was only 7 bucks! Most local fish stores would have wanted at least 30 or more.
 
#24 ·
Not yet. It has been soaking for over 12 hours. No tannins are coming out either. I got two holes drilled into it, and some fishing line. I'm going to tie it down and put it in today along with some rocks that passed the fizz test that I found rather cheap.
 
#26 ·
Yes lots of fun. My fish seem to be half way between "I HATE YOU" and "Woaah check the place out", my back certainly hates me...but fishing line and about 3-5 hours later and I conquered the wood. Right now the glare won't let me take any decent photographs.




That's up though.
 
#28 · (Edited)
That thing made me want to like...punch a wall. I had to weigh each end with three things to keep it down...and even then I could not get it the stay all the way down. Maybe in a few months or so the wood will decide to sink.

Also just finished putting these two clips together: , Queen came out to explore a little.

EDIT: Wow just took fresh video. She's never come out for me like this and let me take this kind of close video. It's a really treat. Have it up ASAP.
 
#29 ·
Because I cannot edit my post:

3 mins of Queen realizing yes she can swim.
 
#30 ·
It is SO cool to see her out in the open and swimming like crazy! She looks happy. . . maybe having the branch overhead is helping her to feel more secure? It'd be awesome if she starts coming out of her shell more and being more visible. . . Go, Queen, GO!
 
#31 ·
Well her cave is butted all the way up against the glass meaning that she cannot hide perfectly in there anymore with her tail hanging out. Next time I go in there I will inch that half log on the right side up a few inches so that she can fit better. That said it may be a case of the fact that she feels more secure. I don't know. I'm happy to see one of my grays finally being NOT A DERP and using the log I put in there. The female isn't too bothered really by anything but the male absolutely does not like it when Queen is out but refuses to hide in the places I put down for him.
 
#32 ·
So I've finally got a good photo of the tank. I had to wait till night fall for this:




I've also got some video of all four of my Yoyo Loach out and about.

 
#36 · (Edited)
Yes she has. Around noon I put out a bit of shrimp pellets, and Queen comes out to get her fill. It's a regular thing now. The moment she sniffs food in the water she's out like a hungry vacuum cleaner and she'll sniff every pellet out that the Senegals don't get. Also she seems to get really active after every water change. This is the second time I do a water change and she comes out after everything settles. She'll pace a bit across the tank then return to her hide hole.

Yeah, that glo-fish amazes me. Somehow he manages to survive in a tank full of predators that could easily call him lunch(his name is Brave btw). I contemplate getting a second one down the road. Well...he's really just a fancy Zebra Danio right? I consider getting a few regular non genetically modified Zebra Dano's but I"ve got to look into they will still school together or accept a glo-variety.
 
#37 ·
Yup! Just a fancy Danio, lol! I don't think there would be any problems with them schooling. . . it would be very interesting if they spawned. . . wonder if you'd get a zebra with pink stripes ;) Now THAT would be something to see, neh!?

Glad to hear that Queen is really coming out of her shell. Such a pretty thing, glad to know she's feeling more secure and happy in her home with you! Good work!
 
#39 ·
I just looked into it. Doesn't seem like they have any issue schooling with each other. As for breeding, far as I know the offspring either are glow-fish or not. There is no in-between. What's more you are not really supposed to intentionally breed glow fish or sell the offspring. If they little school does well they would eventually get moved into another tank depending upon when I can get the 50 gal set back up.

I'm still debating that. If I get my 20 gallon long back from my bro I could set that up in my work room, and move the school over if it happens. Then I'd be leaving my stock in the 75 alone. However I really don't trust the Queen to leave the Loaches alone once she is full grown. She will be close to two feet where as my Loaches can top out at 5 inches...maybe 6?

What I really want is to take my 50 gallon, move it upstairs after testing the spot I want to put it by having a bunch of people combine their weight into one area of the floor in the room. If the floor holds that it can hold the 50 gallon. Then I can move my Loaches over first. Then closely watch my three bichirs and how their interactions are as Queen continues to grow. Then if push comes to shove I can relocate one of the bichirs into the 50 gallon should the two senegals get too stressed with their growing tankmate.

As for the eggs, might be a bit before I know if the first round survived to put any into the 5 gallon. I would imagine the ones in the 75 gallon that showed up will fare better.
 
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