Oto Haven

[OrangeCones]

20gallon high tank, currently home to 11 Otocinclus vittatus (4F, 6M, 1 not-sure-yet). 1 inch of topsoil capped with 1 inch of pea gravel. Filter is a 'sweep' powerhead with sponge prefilter. 55watts, 6700K, 11 hours per day. 2 hours of indirect sunlight. Plants are Hygrophila corymbosa 'angustifolia,' Anubias barteri 'nana,' and Anubias hastifolia.

Visiting for a few weeks are an adult and juvie male Badis badis.

Oto Haven, day 1: Emerged growth (GRRRRRRR) not emerced as was promised by the supplier.

Oto Haven, day 23: Emerced growth coming in well now. Almost time to thin them out!

 

[bassbonediva]

Wowza! That is awesome-looking, OC! I bet your otos LOVE it!

 

[Newman]

Oto tank is WIN.
5/5

 

[OrangeCones]

They love playing in the outflow of the powerhead. When they spawned for me, they used this particular plant a lot and about 75% of the eggs were laid in the outflow of the powerhead. That's why I put a 'sweep' powerhead in there instead of a stationary one. More of the leaves in the 'flow' so hopefully it will encourage them to lay. From what I've read about them, they seem to spawn in the wild in faster streams that have lots of flow.

Next time I add an 'algae log' or 'algae rock' I'll try to video them on it. They all clump together fighting for the best spot to eat. I keep several pieces of driftwood and rocks in the window sill to get more algae for them.

 

[lauraf]

OC, I'm confused by what 'emerced' growth vs. emerged means. Or maybe is it 'immersed'??? As in totally underwater? But whatever you meant, the difference in your plants in three weeks is a-mazing.
You rock!

 

[anshuman]

absolutely fantastic.

 

[OrangeCones]

OC, I'm confused by what 'emerced' growth vs. emerged means. Or maybe is it 'immersed'??? As in totally underwater? But whatever you meant, the difference in your plants in three weeks is a-mazing.
You rock!

Sorry for confusion. I was sent emersed growth (growing out of the water) when I was promised it was submerged growth (growing under the water).

This link has some interesting info about emersed vs submerged growth.

Aquatic Eden: Emersed vs. Submersed Growth - Freshwater Planted Aquarium Blog

OC

 

[Newman]

I think the spelling confused laura. I myself have not seen the word spelled with a "c"

 

[lauraf]

I think the spelling confused laura. I myself have not seen the word spelled with a "c"

Ding ding ding. And thanks for the link OC. I am wondering if this is why my Tropika brand swords have huge thick leaves and stems when I buy them, but all subsequent growth is shorter and finer.

 

[OrangeCones]

Most plants I just clip all the leaves if I know it was grown above water...the leaves will die back anyway. As long as the roots are strong, all is good

 

[OrangeCones]

I am wondering if this is why my Tropika brand swords have huge thick leaves and stems when I buy them, but all subsequent growth is shorter and finer.

Exactly why, laura They don't need to be a stout when underwater, so develop a different type of leaf underwater.

 

[lauraf]

And all this time I thought I was doing something wrong! Even the CO2 and ferts haven't made a difference to the swords' growth . . . .
Thanks OC

 

[ValRasbora]

lucky otos!

 

[tropicalcrazy]

WOW thats awesome. looks like you got a green thumb.

so what do you do put a tank by a window and purposely grow algae in a seperate tank? if you do thats smart as hell for algae food

 

[OrangeCones]

I grow 'algae logs' in a seperate tank. Sadly, I can't get much sunlight in my house without inviting 'snooping eyes' in the neighborhood I live in.

Attempts at keeping a waterchange bucket outside in the sun, half full of water and rocks/driftwood in my own fenced-in back yard resulted in the bucket and all contents being found on the roof the next morning.

 

[tropicalcrazy]

thats some bs someone would do that. that sux you have some snoopy neighbors. we just got some new ones and im making sure i keep windows closed as much as possible because they seem pretty snoopy.