Planted Ripariums

[hydrophyte]

This is my very first post here. Although I do not keep discus I am pondering a setup. Right now I am deciding between a display for discus in probably a 90, or a setup for these new Gymnogeophagus that I got. Most of my display tanks are ripariums, which feature emergent aquatic plants growing in the space above the water. I think that if well-doen a riaprium could be a pretty good habitat for discus.

I include a picture here of a riparium composition that I recently put together in a 50-gallon tank.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/27-viii-10-tank-ii-m.jpg

Here's a better view fo the same tank.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/27-viii-10-tank-i-m.jpg

[RudeDogg1]

dont see why u couldnt keep discus in one of them

[DiscusLoverJeff]

That is an amazing setup. Can you elaborate as too what types of plants you have outside the tank? I have a planted tank but not sure yet as too which plant is called what, Lol.

You could easily keep a pair of discus in this setup providing the water is above 80 degrees?

Nice Job!!!

DiscusLoverJeff

[aquatic3]

I about to start my planted Discus tank and have done a lot of research in trying to find a perfect ballance system.

Check out some of my info about Systems, Aquscaping and Water Chemestry at ADMIN EDIT: Link Removed

[yikesjason]

A riparium would be a great setup for discus if you do it big enough. The difficulty is the fact that you drop the water level for the riparium and loose a lot of space for the fish. I think it would work best if you have a tank at least 24" high and preferably 30" so you have room for the discus and the emersed growth plants.

The set up itself would be great for discus. The low tech nature of ripariums lends well to discus and the plants do a lot to keep very clean water conditions. That much plant growth will suck up a lot of nutrients the discus would not like.

How are water changes with your ripariums? When I had a couple of riparum planters, water changes were awkward because without the water to support them, they would just slide down the glass.

[hydrophyte]

That is an amazing setup. Can you elaborate as too what types of plants you have outside the tank? I have a planted tank but not sure yet as too which plant is called what, Lol.

You could easily keep a pair of discus in this setup providing the water is above 80 degrees?

Nice Job!!!

DiscusLoverJeff

Hey thanks very much. Here is the current plant list for the abovewater part.


Hygrophila 'Siamensis'
Acorus gramineus Ogon
Acorus pusillus
Echinodorus NOID
Schismatoglottis NOID
Oplismenus hirtella
Pilea grandifolia
Acrostichum danaeifolium


I think that that's complete.

[Jennie]

I would worry the discus would jump out

[hydrophyte]

Do discus jump? I have seen a few open top setups for discus.

[Jennie]

yes, do a search here, "discus jumped out of tank"

[Jennie]

here I found a post
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/archive/index.php/t-64824.html

[danny2013]

My discus tried to jump out last night .... He got spooked and darted around the tank then jumped. Luckily I had a cover so he couldn't get out. You must cover the top of the tank.

[yikesjason]

But they are not going to jump out of a tank that is only 2/3 of the way filled. And most of the time not even when it is all the way filled. Any fish might jump, but discus are so expensive, if one jumps, it is a big deal.

[RudeDogg1]

most fish will jump thats why most aquariums r covered

[Ed13]

A riparium would be a great setup for discus if you do it big enough. The difficulty is the fact that you drop the water level for the riparium and loose a lot of space for the fish. I think it would work best if you have a tank at least 24" high and preferably 30" so you have room for the discus and the emersed growth plants.

The set up itself would be great for discus. The low tech nature of ripariums lends well to discus and the plants do a lot to keep very clean water conditions. That much plant growth will suck up a lot of nutrients the discus would not like.

How are water changes with your ripariums? When I had a couple of riparum planters, water changes were awkward because without the water to support them, they would just slide down the glass.
I with Jason, the only hurdle I see is providing enough water volume for the discus with a good water depth. A really nice 30" tall tank with water level around the 18"-20" would work nicely.

Take plenty of pics;);)

[hydrophyte]

I am sure that I have seen several setups for discus that were nice planted tanks with open tops and water all the way up to the top. Perhaps those people just used their less valuable fish in those displays(?).

You can actually fill a riparium all the way up to the top. The only reason that I ahve this display only 2/3 full is because I used a de-rimmed Aqueon tank and I did not think it was strong enough with water up to the top. I also sort of like the proportions better with the water level there--it makes it seem like the water surface is more expansive.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/27-viii-10-tank-ii-m.jpg

[tcyiu]

You could easily keep a pair of discus in this setup providing the water is above 80 degrees?

Nice Job!!!

DiscusLoverJeff

Agree with Jeff. Beautiful tank.

Like Jeff says, discus do better in 80 degree plus temps. Can your plants tolerate those temps? (I know nothing about plants).

Tim

[scottishbloke]

Your tank looks just awesome :) I absolutely love the look of ripariums, and in future might try converting one of my tanks into one. A "Ripariums for Dummies" sticky showing how to create one along with a good list of plants that do well emersed would be extremely useful :):)

Colin

[hydrophyte]

Hey thanks you guys!

There are a number of plants that will be fine at about 80F.

There is a new and pretty lively riparium sub-forum over at AquaticPlantEnthusiasts.com. I suggest checking it out. It is a friendly environment. Here is the link...

http://www.aquaticplantenthusiasts.com/ripariums/

[hydrophyte]

Thanks you guys!

Most of these plants will do fine in water at about 80F.

There is a new riparium subform over at AquaticPlantEnthusiasts.com. That is a good place to go for information and it's a friendly environment. Here's the link.

http://www.aquaticplantenthusiasts.com/ripariums/

[Ed13]

I am sure that I have seen several setups for discus that were nice planted tanks with open tops and water all the way up to the top. Perhaps those people just used their less valuable fish in those displays(?).

You can actually fill a riparium all the way up to the top. The only reason that I ahve this display only 2/3 full is because I used a de-rimmed Aqueon tank and I did not think it was strong enough with water up to the top. I also sort of like the proportions better with the water level there--it makes it seem like the water surface is more expansive.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/27-viii-10-tank-ii-m.jpg
Would you believe I find these setups more attractive with the tank not full.

In my opinion, any open tank containing discus runs the risk of jumpers regardless if it's 2 from the top or 12", even some with hoods or canopies is not entirely safe. Yes, if they gather some momemtum they can really catch some air. Doesn't mean it'll certainly happen but the risk is there. I would not let that discourage you though. Just take some precautions with new fish and whenever something out of the ordinary happens around the tank.

[hydrophyte]

Thanks so much Ed13. Yeah I think that the proportions in this setup are pretty nice with the water level right there. I will keep pondering a discus setup. Right now it is between a display for some discus or for this new group of Gymnogeophagus that I got a while back.

[hydrophyte]

I wanted to get a couple of pictures side-by-side to show how this tank has grown in since I replanted it with the current layout.

This shot here is dated 1 June 2010.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/1-vi-10-tank-i-m.jpg

And this is the quick FTS from last week, same as that one above, dated 27 August 2010.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/27-viii-10-tank-ii-b.jpg

[hydrophyte]

Here is a shot that shows the other main kind of riparium setup. This one has a lowered water level and covered top. This arrangement is perfect for growing emersed aquarium plants, such as anubias and crypts, that require high humidity.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/17-viii-09-tank-i-m.jpg

I have better pictures of this one too that I'll go try to dig up.

[hydrophyte]

I have a couple of quick pictures from that 50-gallon setup. Here is the flower of Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis'.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/18-ix-10-hygrophila-corymbosa-siamensis-i-m.jpg

And here is a shot of foliage with the flash.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/18-ix-10-foliage-i-m.jpg

[hydrophyte]

Here are a couple more quick views of the planting in that 50.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/25-ix-10-tank-i-m.jpg

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/25-ix-10-tank-ii-b.jpg

[pepetj]

I have no other word than Beautiful!

You do have good hands for planted tanks.

Pepetj
Santo Domingo

[kingfisherfleshy]

Hydro...we meet again. I think a discus setup in one of these would be stunning...just so long as the fish had enough room.

[wannafish]

How about this. See what the experts say!
I would start with some juvies that are reasonably
priced. 25$. Then your investment won't be too great.
Watch them grow out into your tank.
Since your tank is so peaceful, they won't need to
get restless or jump, unless they get sick or there
are some territorial issues involved. Another thing,
since most of your top area of the aquarium is consumed
by the plants, it may detour the opportunity to jump.

[hydrophyte]

I could put a discus riparium display on the longer-term list, but I don't think that I'll do one any time real soon. My next project will be a setup for a little group of Gymnogeophagus that I recently acquired. I want to put them into a riparium setup with a shoal of cories in a 75.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/24-vii-10-aca-gymnogeophagus-labiatus-iii-m.jpg

Note: The above fish does not belong to me.

[Jennie]

That's an interesting fish. Kinda like it actually:)

[hydrophyte]

I like those fish a lot too and I think they're gonna make a nice display if I put it together right.

Here is another quick FTS of my 50-gallon setup from a couple of nights ago.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/designsaquatic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/27-IX-10-tank-I-m.jpg

[hydrophyte]

Tonight I got a quick video update for that 50-gallon tank. It is not the best quality video but you can get the general idea anyway. Here is the YouTube link...

http://www.youtube.com/user/ripariumsupply#p/a/u/0/vtV_qEuZ4zg

Be sure to view it at 480p.

[Eddie]

Very nice set-up. Its super clean and I love how lush the plants look growing out of the tank. Great work! ;)

Eddie

[hydrophyte]

Thanks so much Eddie.

Reformatting that same file I got a somewhat better results, and here is the link..

http://www.youtube.com/user/ripariumsupply#p/a/u/2/OmekWf0NkGI

[hydrophyte]

My 50-gallon is all torn up. I have all of the plants that were in there underwater overnight to kill any plant pests that might have been around. I have more of an update over in the journal thread. Here is a quick picture.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/31-x-10-tank-i-m.jpg

I am considering whether to just set up most of the plants that I had in there, or replant with a totally new theme(?). Those spindly things on the rear pane are Cyperus umbrella sedges that I just potted up and have in there provisionally, but I wonder about using a few of them for most of a new background.

[hydrophyte]

I haven't been back to this thread in a while. I have been so busy lately.

I have a plan for a riparium in the 11.4-gallon Mr. Aqua rimless aquarium. This tank model has a real nice shape (11.8" X 11.8" X 18.9") and I think that I have a good concept in mind for a riparium planting.

I am going to shoot for a layout with a fine, grassy theme. I want to use baby panda bamboo (Pogonatherum crinitum) in several planters for most of the emersed background.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/11-iii-10-pogonatherum-crinitum-i-m.jpg

This is a great plant. I have several of them going in riparium planters and they are finally (months later) starting to fill out. Baby panda bamboo is not a fast-growing plant. It really does look a lot like bamboo, but it is not a true bamboo. Like bamboo, however, it is a kind of grass.

The tank came tonight with UPS and I got a few pictures. It shipped in a great bog box with lots of that spray expanding foam.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/28-xii-10-tank-i-s.jpg

Here is the tank with stand.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/28-xii-10-tank-ii-m.jpg

Obviously, I won't be putting any discus in here, but I do want to get some nice fish for this setup.

[Disgirl]

That will make a wonderful small riparium! I have always wanted to make one myself and put some tetra in with all the plants. Good luck with it and make sure you show us when it is finished.
Barb

[hydrophyte]

I'll post updates as I put it together. I am considering a small shoal of tetras in this setup, but I might use Norman's lampeyes instead.

[hydrophyte]

I just got plants and gravel into the 11.4G. I should have pictures up soon.

[hydrophyte]

Here is a quick shot from tonight...

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/1-i-11-tank-ii-m.jpg

The planting is real simple. The riparium plants are, from left...


Pilea grandifolia -- on a trellis raft
Pogonatherum paniceum, baby panda bamboo
Fittonia "red vein" -- on trellis raft
Laguncularia racemosa, white mangrove
Acorus gramineus "dwarf"


I really like the baby panda bamboo in there. I will switch up the plants some more to better resolve the layout. There are also a couple of rosette swords (Echinodorus parviflorus 'Tropica') underwater. I will add more underwater plants too.

[hydrophyte]

I replanted the 50-gallon tank. The plants are looking spindly, but I hope that it will fill in as they grow some more. There are a few interesting selections in there. I will come back later with a list of the riparium plants.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/4-i-11-tank-i-m.jpg

The underwater portion is a jumbled mess. I need to redo that area too.

[hydrophyte]

I have another shot of the 50 from the other night. This one shows some detail of the area around the planters. The whole setup will start looking better when these Pilea grandifolia get a chance to grow up and cover the planters and rafts. I had replanted all of these Pilea from fresh cuttings and they are just now starting to grow new roots.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/4-i-11-tank-iii-m.jpg

[hydrophyte]

hey I haven't been back here in a while, but I have been making some more headway with various aquarium projects. I will try to post more pictures of these new riparium setups soon.

[saltydog]

That would be great! Did you ever get the group of gymnogephagus?

[hydrophyte]

Hi saltydog!

Well I had a group of five gymnos, but then I decided that they had some problems with crooked spines and fins, so I culled the whole lot. I might try to get some more.

I also have an idea to do a brackish riparium with mangrove trees and certain brackish fish. That might be my next half-way serious project.

[Vee]

I love your tanks! I would love to incorporate some plants into my new tank setup. Where do you get all the little baskets for the plants? Did you add the suction cups? I need DETAILS.

[hydrophyte]

Hi there Vee and thank you! The riparium planters + rafts are all from Riparium Supply.

Here is a shot from last night of the setup in my (too small for discus) 11.4G tank. The plants have grown in nice. At the moment I have just a single Crenichla pike cichlid in there. I intend to add some more showy fish that will contribute to the whole scape.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/4-iv-11-tank-ii-m.jpg

[Vee]

I really like that look. I went to Wal-mart and picked up some acrylic and wire cups with suctions. I'm going to use this for now since I would like to use plants with roots in the water to soak up some of the nitrates. I'm thinking of adding a white nylon screen to prevent the fish from jumping out. When I'm done (which will take some time to collect all the plants I want) I will post.

[hydrophyte]

Hey that sounds like a good plant. If you look for plant ridea let me know because I think I have figured out some of the best ones for growing in ripariums.

Once you get them going the riparium plants provide excellent biological filtration and removal of nitrates.

[hydrophyte]

I think I really do have a pretty good concept for rescaping my 50-gallon setup.

I am going to remove all of the underwater plants and set up the underwater area with the best hardscape that I can put together. Then I am going to also put some time into getting really good specimens that will make an awesome fish display. I am inclined to use some sort of New World cichlid, but I will need to ponder this some more.

I am going to remove all of the livebearers that are in there now. I might leave the Synodontis lucipinnis catfish because I do like them a lot.

What do you all think of this idea? Here is a shot from a little while ago. The tank looks about the same now and without any real theme but some nice plants. There are quite a few swords and crypts underwater.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/6-iii-11-tank-i-b1.jpg

I need to think about a new theme for the riparium plants. I am drawn to the idea of grassy plants combined with other stuff, but I want to try something other than Acorus gramineus. A. gramineus is an awesome riparium plant, but I have already used it a few times and it would be good to try to figure out how to grow other different grassy plants.

Now I need to go hunt for rocks and also think more about fish. Some Gymnogeophagus would be cool. There are lots of other possibilities too of course. This setup doesn't have the space for discus, but I hope that I can get some good cichlids in there.

[hydrophyte]

Here is a quick picture update.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/12-iv-11-tank-i-m.jpg

I removed all of the underwater plants and added some big limestone boulders. I realize that I need to work on scaping the stones some more, but I wanted to get them in there for an idea. I do not plan to add any underwater plants, but instead work on developing a more engaing fish display. I want to remove the Poecilia chica mollies and add another livebearer in a good-sized group along with some kind of cichlid. I need to research cichlids some more. Does anybody have any suggestions for a ciclid to go into ~30 gallons?????

[Disgirl]

I always liked the various Julidochromis species, they stay small and are colorful and have interesting breeding behavior. And they are very long lived. Your tank and plants are beautiful!
Barb

[hydrophyte]

Thanks so much Disgirl for that tip and for your nice compliment!

I forgot to mention that I am mainly interested in New World cichlids.

[hydrophyte]

Well now I have a lead on a couple of different Limia that I hope to get in trade for some fish that I have. I might use some in the 50G that I am redoing and/or the 40 brackish that I am also working on.

These Limia are really cool little fish. Here are some of the species that I might be able to trade for...


L. tridens
L. vittata
L. sulphurophila
L. melanonotata
L. melanogaster

It's been a long time since I have gotten any new fish. This will be fun. Does anybody have any experience with any of these fish?

[hydrophyte]

I made another new scape for the 50-gallon setup. You can see that I replaced that largest rock on the right and a couple of others.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/15-iv-11-tank-i-m.jpg

[TURQ64]

The tank looks great!..Do bear in mind that limestone is calcareous, so you may see an elevation in your ph...Good rocks for Africans...

[hydrophyte]

Thanks TURQ64!

I use straight conditioned tap water in this setup. Our water is quite heard right out of the tap, so I don't expect too much trouble with that. These plants all seem to grow fine in our water.

[hydrophyte]

I have a quick photo update from last night for the 120 riparium setup with Mexican livebearers. I replanted the whole thing and it is still growing in. It will be a little while before the plants get to be nice and full.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/19-iv-11-tank-i-m.jpg

I also changed the fish stocking a little while ago. I replaced the Xenoataenia resolane that were in there with another goodeid, Ilyodon furcidens. The I. furcidens are a better aquarium fish. They are nice and robust and never stop swimming; the X. resolanae hid much of the time. I'll try to get a fish close up or two the next time that I am over there so you can see.

This kind of riparium could perhaps be pretty good with discus. I towuld look cool to get a dense stand of emersed swordplants growing in the riparium planters.

[northtexaswildbettas]

I love this last one you posted! its gonna look awesome!

[hydrophyte]

I love this last one you posted! its gonna look awesome!

Thanks, I have had this one set up for several years now. The planting has grown up and been redone again several times now. It shoudl look good again when these plants have had a chance to grow in again.

Also not for discus...

I cleared some space and got the tank set up for the 30 breeder brackish riparium setup that I am putting together.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/23-iv-11-tank-i-m.jpg

I have these really great manzanita stumps that I am going to use in here. I have not yet had them in an aquarium and I stuck them in there to start leaching the organics out and get them to sink. Now I need to go get some aragaonite sand for the bottom of the tank.

This is going to be a simple setup with some nice fish and plants. The riparium plants will mainly be mangrove trees. I am still pondering the fish sticking but I am leaning toward using orange chromide cichlids.

[hydrophyte]

Hey I have here what looks like a fun new plant to use as background in my 50G tank. This could be a good selection for setups with discus and other larger tanks.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/10-v-11-chamaedorea-cataractarum-iii-m.jpg

I will try to pot some up in riparium planters soon and post more pictures with details.

[hydrophyte]

Here is another really great mangrove that I plan to use in my new brackish setup, white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa). I currently have it going in my 11-4G riparium setup but it is growing fast and getting too big for that tank. It has these great paddle-shaped rubbery leaves.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/13-v-11-laguncularia-racemosa-i-m.jpg

I have been growing it all along in freshwater. It will need a slow adaptation period to adjust to brackish conditions.

[hydrophyte]

This is another view of that white mangrove in its planter.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/13-v-11-laguncularia-racemosa-ii-m.jpg

[JeffreyRichard]

Very impressive!

Several technical questions ...
1) How do you create the emersed plant area? How do you plant them and what do you have them in? How is this constructed?
2) How do maintain the water level?

Thanks

[Gohans_Onna]

Do you use CO2 at all? Any type of fertilizer, whether in the substrate or in the water? What time of filter system do you use? What type of lighting?

[hydrophyte]

Hi thanks you guys. I haven't been back to this thread in a while.

Sorry the quote function is not working in this browser I'll just answer those quesitons in order.

The plants are all planted in Riparium Supply planters and trellis rafts. What do you mean by maintaining the water level? I just dumped the water in and there it was.

Ripairums do not need any extra CO2 because the plants get all they need from the air. For the most part I do not add ferts and the plants just use what is available in our hard tapwater and from fish waster, although sometimes I do dose iron. I like to use canister filters for bigger tanks and submersible power filters for smaller ones. Most of my lights are 6700K HO T5s.

[TURQ64]

I'm trying some red mangroves in my sumps..They are very different looking than those white mangroves...interesting..Gary

[hydrophyte]

Here's a quick picture from the new setup that I put together just the other night. This one is in a 56-gallon tank and I set it up as a high-humidity riparium. There are several plants in there that require very moist air, so I keep a tight canopy on top.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/17-viii-11-tank-iv-m.jpg

[walt3]

all those tanks are simply gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! love them all. great artistic composition. well done. walt.

[hydrophyte]

Thanks so much Walt! Really these riparium setups are pretty easy to put together.

Here's a quick picture of the 56G high humidity setup that I have been working right on the floor after I swiped the stand. I had decided that the stand was too tall. I took 4" off the top, then refinished the plywood and put it back together. I was up late last night reassembling the tank too.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/30-viii-11-tank-i-m.jpg

I have a couple of FTS with everything all pu together again here I just need to format them and post them up.

[Randy-S]

lets get them formatted and posted!

[hydrophyte]

Hey I'm working on it. I do have a couple update photos for that 56 I just need to dig them up.

In the meantime I got a couple quick shots of the Pilea grandifolia that I have going my 50G. I am going to mow this all down for cuttings tonight. I have it growing on every single trellis raft and it makes a nice effect. This is definitely my favorite riparium midground plant.

http://hydrophytesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/13-ix-11-pilea-grandifolia-i-m.jpg

[Christian74]

i know this post is very old but I was wondering if anyone has any place that I can buy riparium supplies as well as plants besides riparium supply thank you