Loaches Online Forum

Hello, I’m new so I thought I’d introduce myself and ask a couple of questions at the same time.

I had a tropical community tank for about 5-6 years when I was younger, which got taken down when I left home. Now I have got the bug again and for the last 5 years I have a 160L tropical community tank and just recently a 60L divided Betta tank.

I saw some fish at my LFS which were labelled as ‘Butterfly Plecs’ I now know from your wonderful site that these are hill stream loaches. I also saw Mr Thoene’s awesome river manifold and was wondering if it would be possible to set this system up in a spare tank that I have in my garage; the trouble is that its only 30”L x 12W x 15H and I’m unsure as to how many hillstreams will fit in this size tank? Will it be able to hold other fish or is it best to just have a species tank? I don’t have funds/access to an external filter so would the manifold covers do the job (like my Fluval internal filters?) My other question is has anyone ever tried lowering the water level/raising the rockwork to get the babbling stream effect?

I look forward to reading about all your tanks and projects and one day when I actually own my own house, Mrs Jay has said I can have upto a 6x2x2 tank to do what I want with!!

I am currently in Lincs, but I hope in the summer I will be moving to Huntingdon, so I will definitely be calling in to Mrs Turners shop for advice, supplies and livestock!

Many Thanks

Tee Cee

Hi TeeCeeJay and welcome to LOL. Thanks for your positive comments.
I've set up a River-Tank manifold in a similar size tank before. They definitely are more effective in a longer tank, but if you're strapped for cash you can build one of a similar design but just using one powerhead. If you squeeze in two intakes with decent sized sponges on them they will provide suitable filtration for a lightly stocked tank.
You could have maybe 6 hillstreams and a few fish like Whiteclouds or small Danio species as some active upper water fish.

It's refreshing to see such a nicely written introduction to yourself, but you really don't have to be so formal. We're very much on first name basis here.....and it's Ms Turner!

Emma's partner Steve recently opened up a new branch of Maidenhead Aquatics in Lincoln. You might want to check that out if it's close. If you're moving to Huntingdon you absolutely HAVE to go shop in Crowland.

Martin.

Hi TeeCeeJay, welcome to LOL

I have set up a 24"x15"x12" to house a small group of P. cheni and the river manifold works great, I started a topic and posted pictures as it was getting built here http://forums.loaches.com/viewtopic.php ... river+tank

An ideal powerhead for that size of tank is the Aquaclear 301 or the Re-sun SP-1200 which you can get off ebay for under £15.

I would say you could easily put 6 Hillies in there with no problems

Welcome to the forum, TeeCee.

Much jealousy here that you'll able to shop Emma's store. I can only dream about it.

Martin Thoene wrote:....and it's Ms Turner!.

Oooops!, sorry Emma

MadDuff, Thanks for the link to your setup, it's almost exactly what I have in mind.

I'm off to B&Q (Home Depot for those of you over the pond!) tonight for the pipe work, and will also drop in to the LFS to check on their 'plecs'. I will try and identify them for you.

When I've figured out photo posting, I'll show you how my setup goes.

Does it matter what size the cobbles/pebbles are or will the fish be happy so long as they're covered in green?

TC

I dont think the size of the cobbles matters that much, mine spend as much time on pebbles and bogwood as they do on the cobbles, as long as there is food and algae they seem happy.

Welcome to Loaches Online, TC. And apology accepted for marrying me off!

Looking forward to seeing you someday at the shop. Maybe you'll be able to join us for the summer LOL British meeting, which is due to be arranged for sometime towards the end of August. You know that once you start keeping hillstream loaches you'll become well and truly addicted to them! They are not only very beautiful fish, but have such interesting quirky behaviours.

Emma

August - you mean NOT in term-time?

wooohooo!

TeeCeeJay wrote: When I've figured out photo posting, I'll show you how my setup goes.

As promised, I've started a new thread to show you how I'm getting on with my new River Tank.

TC