Suggestions/Ideas for Southeast Asia/Asian Brackish Water Biotope Aquarium

[Fish Guy]

Hi Co-op Community and @Zenzo

Nice to meet you all and big fan of this channel.  I'm planning out a 200-250 gallon Southeast Asia/Asian Brackish Water Biotope Aquarium.  Most likely in the next 6 months or so depending on my housing.  The tank will resemble a brackish mangrove estuary biotope theme. I say "Biotope" meaning I would like to have it as close to a Southeast Asia environment as possible, may not be exact. I've planned out the project and have done a lot of research.  However, would like to here from the community on some potential ideas.  Details of the aquarium below and questions I would like to have input on.

Aquarium:

Size : 200 - 250 gallons (Tank not purchased yet).  72 L 30in H and Depth TBD

Filtration: 2 FX6 Fluval Cannister Filters.  

Tank Background: All Black/maybe 3d background

Substrate: Sand and potentially a little crushed coral

Plants:  Red Mangroves, Vals, Crypts.  (Will be starting this as freshwater and slowly move to a low to mid end Brackish over time)

Hardscape: Macro Coral Rocks and maybe some volcanic. Open to suggestions.

Fish: Potential list of fish, aquarium will consist of larger variety brackish (Still TBD): figure 8 puffers, knight gobies, asian needlenose gar, half banded spiny eel, top hat blenny, scats, archerfish, monos, freshwater lionfish, Asian leaf fish, orange and green chromides, freshwater flounder, mudskippers.

Questions:

Has anyone found a realistic 3d background that resembles mangroves or how to create them?

Where can I find natural mangrove roots or wood branches that resemble them for hardscape?  What kind of wood is most appealing/realistic?   I'd like them to be tall 25-30in+ so they can be potentially emerge from the top of the aquarium.

Since I am planning growing plants, would it be ok to put a little base layer of black soil underneath the sand to support the plants?  Any issues with that?

What lighting do you recommend?  I'd like it higher up over the tank for mangrove growth.  Is there a clip-on for the back of the tank or overhang type of light you recommend, especially for larger tanks?  This will be for growing red mangroves, vals, crypts.  Don't want it to look junky either.

What type of macro coral or lava rock do you recommend and where is the best place to purchase?  I'd like to have some with a little brownish color to them not just all white.

Is there any type of seaweed, macroalgae, or "val" type long thin plant that can survive in brackish water?  I like the look of seaweed or long tall thin plants spread across the tank.  Also, any Asian brackish water floating plants?

Last, any additional recommendations/ideas based upon any of the information listed here feel free to add.

I know this a lot of information appreciate anyone's input!

Thanks,

Fish Guy

 

 

 

[The endler guy]

On 11/17/2022 at 3:50 PM, Fish Guy said:

Hi Co-op Community and @Zenzo

Nice to meet you all and big fan of this channel.  I'm planning out a 200-250 gallon Southeast Asia/Asian Brackish Water Biotope Aquarium.  Most likely in the next 6 months or so depending on my housing.  The tank will resemble a brackish mangrove estuary biotope theme. I say "Biotope" meaning I would like to have it as close to a Southeast Asia environment as possible, may not be exact. I've planned out the project and have done a lot of research.  However, would like to here from the community on some potential ideas.  Details of the aquarium below and questions I would like to have input on.

Aquarium:

Size : 200 - 250 gallons (Tank not purchased yet).  72 L 30in H and Depth TBD

Filtration: 2 FX6 Fluval Cannister Filters.  

Tank Background: All Black/maybe 3d background

Substrate: Sand and potentially a little crushed coral

Plants:  Red Mangroves, Vals, Crypts.  (Will be starting this as freshwater and slowly move to a low to mid end Brackish over time)

Hardscape: Macro Coral Rocks and maybe some volcanic. Open to suggestions.

Fish: Potential list of fish, aquarium will consist of larger variety brackish (Still TBD): figure 8 puffers, knight gobies, asian needlenose gar, half banded spiny eel, top hat blenny, scats, archerfish, monos, freshwater lionfish, Asian leaf fish, orange and green chromides, freshwater flounder, mudskippers.

Questions:

Has anyone found a realistic 3d background that resembles mangroves or how to create them?

Where can I find natural mangrove roots or wood branches that resemble them for hardscape?  What kind of wood is most appealing/realistic?   I'd like them to be tall 25-30in+ so they can be potentially emerge from the top of the aquarium.

Since I am planning growing plants, would it be ok to put a little base layer of black soil underneath the sand to support the plants?  Any issues with that?

What lighting do you recommend?  I'd like it higher up over the tank for mangrove growth.  Is there a clip-on for the back of the tank or overhang type of light you recommend, especially for larger tanks?  This will be for growing red mangroves, vals, crypts.  Don't want it to look junky either.

What type of macro coral or lava rock do you recommend and where is the best place to purchase?  I'd like to have some with a little brownish color to them not just all white.

Is there any type of seaweed, macroalgae, or "val" type long thin plant that can survive in brackish water?  I like the look of seaweed or long tall thin plants spread across the tank.  Also, any Asian brackish water floating plants?

Last, any additional recommendations/ideas based upon any of the information listed here feel free to add.

I know this a lot of information appreciate anyone's input!

Thanks,

Fish Guy

 

 

 

mudskippers!!!!