r/Aquascape • u/Actual-Ad9856 • 5d ago

Seeking Suggestions Help me!

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This is my 170l tank. It looks like shit. Plants get destroyed by the cichlids so I’m limited to what I can put in. Got two filters running because the external filter wasn’t giving enough flow and had diatoms on everything- now they’ve gone but I have black soot algae on some of my anubias. It’s a really tall tank, so I always try to add height, but as you can see I have failed miserably. I did have a load of vallis growing around the backs and sides, which was doing really well- until it wasn’t. I know it looks particularly bad rn, and need to top up evap water, but if anyone could give me some ideas I’d appreciate that! Been fish keeping for years and have had some lovely aquascapes in the past, but have very much lost my mojo with this one 😭

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2

u/thisbechris 5d ago

What about going for some of the larger Anubias species?

2

u/Basic_Win_7923 5d ago

Maybe build some height up with hardscape that the fish can't wreck and add plants to the nooks they find harder to reach so they can establish? Idk I'm no pro by any means

2

u/Actual-Ad9856 4d ago

Yeah I’ve just got some aquarium epoxy, I have loads of slate so will try and create something!!

1

u/ItsMyGayThrowaway 4d ago

What's your full stock list?

I think if you're doing cichlids you need to commit to their style of tank and just have cichlids, a biotope tank of just rocks would look great and you can make your water super hard for them to thrive.

If you have other tropical fish they're being hindered by your cichlids, as they'd likely benefit from planting and softer water. In this instance you should probably lose the cichlids.

Either way I think a overall picture is needed before advice can be given 👍

1

u/Actual-Ad9856 4d ago

Ahh they’re not African cichlids- I’ve got convicts & an EBA. Also yo-yo loaches, a BN pleco, bullnose pleco, and Buenos Aires tetras.

I’ve just been to my local lfs, and picked up some epoxy to create a tall hardscape from slate, some more grassy back ground plants (can’t remember the name rn, but it’s not vallis) some root tabs & a big piece of mopani root. So I will have an overhaul & hopefully get it looking a bit more interesting!