Coral Macros

[Wes Hall]

Otherworldly colours and textures keep me fascinated with one of my other passions maintaining a reef tank and documenting the development.

 

[Tony Britton]

These are wonderful images. Nature never ceases to amaze!

 

[Wes Hall]

Thanks Tony- I feel the same, endlessly wonderous in diversity

 

[Gary R. Smith]

Those are great Wes! Is the tank maintenance difficult?

 

[Wes Hall]

Those are great Wes! Is the tank maintenance difficult?

Surprisingly difficult to answer Gary I think it’s pretty damn simple- basically change a few litres of salt water every two weeks, top up a litre of fresh water daily and feed the tank

But, I think that’s fair to say it’s where it’s reached- the tanks on its 3rd transplant going up in size over the last 4 years- been the same routine, but it’s had its share of issues an learning curve.

Would recommend it as a fun hobby for anyone with a little biological sympathy and curiosity

Blends great with photography

 

[Pete Askew]

Fabulous shots, Wes and a nice tank too. What is its volume?

I kept freshwater tropical fish for quiet a few years in my late teens and early 20s, but gave them up when I moved away from home for work. Living in rented accommodation then prevented me continuing. Over the time when I did have aquaria I developed an interest in ‘black water’ environments, especially the flooded forest biotropes of the Amazon and Rio Negro.

During the latter stages of the pandemic I decided to set up a new tank, staying with the Rio Negro environment as a theme. The new technology available today, especially the advances made by Takashi Amano in Japan, with 'planted aquariums', make this so much easier. Once planted, I left it to establish for 6 months before introducing a single species of fish, Nannostomus marginatus: I did add some Amano shrimps and Nerite snails after a month or so to help control and algal growth though. It is now stable and the fish have been breeding and so the conditions must be right for them.

In the 70s breeding this species in captivity was pretty much impossible, and even just keeping plants alive and healthy, let alone creating lush underwater forests, could just not be done. Now, using good filtration systems, CO2 injection and pH controllers it can and I have built a control system for the tank that can even cope with me being away for 4 - 6 weeks at a time.

 

[Wes Hall]

Fabulous shots, Wes and a nice tank too. What is its volume?

I kept freshwater tropical fish for quiet a few years in my late teens and early 20s, but gave them up when I moved away from home for work. Living in rented accommodation then prevented me continuing. Over the time when I did have aquaria I developed an interest in ‘black water’ environments, especially the flooded forest biotropes of the Amazon and Rio Negro.

During the latter stages of the pandemic I decided to set up a new tank, staying with the Rio Negro environment as a theme. The new technology available today, especially the advances made by Takashi Amano in Japan, with 'planted aquariums', make this so much easier. Once planted, I left it to establish for 6 months before introducing a single species of fish, Nannostomus marginatus: I did add some Amano shrimps and Nerite snails after a month or so to help control and algal growth though. It is now stable and the fish have been breeding and so the conditions must be right for them.

In the 70s breeding this species in captivity was pretty much impossible, and even just keeping plants alive and healthy, let alone creating lush underwater forests, could just not be done. Now, using good filtration systems, CO2 injection and pH controllers it can and I have built a control system for the tank that can even cope with me being away for 4 - 6 weeks at a time.

A modest 112ltrs Pete, and thank you for sharing about your tank- like you myself and my partner stumbled upon Takashi Amano and inspiration struck- I’m lucky to have a volume of his Nature Aquarium World (book 3) and his photography and observations help imbue his status with credibility alright.

Blackwater setups I find calming to view, and would be curious to hear about your lighting decisions for it? The pencil fish have become a recent darling in the local fish stores in Lancashire due to some high red varieties (with ££££ to match). Excellent to hear you’ve succeeded breeding them- I’ve never attempted this side of the hobby.

It would be nice to see your setup Pete, and to keep the interest going here’s a shot of my partner’s freshwater setup (not the best but it gives the right impression).