Setting Up the APISTOGRAMMA TANK | APISTO Profile

[@MDFishTanks]

thanks for the shout out 👍👍

[@MDFishTanks]

and your tanks are amazing my friend.

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you so much, and it was my pleasure to tell everyone how wonderful you are. The beauty of your tanks is intoxicating, and you make it look so easy! A few of my plants are already in plant heaven 😥. I even did the root tab powder (not in the video though). Looking forward to more of your videos, my friend!

[@Unbrandedyt]

Where’s the special ed videos? For us😅

[@goxyz123]

Great looking tank! It turned out really nice. I really enjoy your videos. Your mistakes and mess ups make me laugh. More aquarium KZbinrs should show their "fails" because you know we all have them! :)

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you so much! I think I probably make mistakes a bit more than average 😂

[@michaelspurlock623]

Looks amazing.....I would love to set up an apisto tank....this video may have been the final push I need....

[@stevenshute827]

I love this video dude, this is EXACTLY how my scape builds go! Every disaster that can happen will happen. Thanks for keeping it real. 😊

[@CichlidCharmer]

Oh my gosh. Once while making a video I was changing the water with a pump. I hook the other end of those up to the tote in the bath tub. I turned the pump on and water started flushing all over my floor because I forgot to hook the other end up that time. 😅😅😅🤪. Thanks the the nice comment!!

[@stevenshute827]

@CichlidCharmer my pleasure. It was a great video. And yep, spilled water everywhere as well. Especially in my first foray into canister filters.

[@FishEddd]

Love this setup! Great to see you showing us the mistakes as well. So many people hide all these issues as they go. About to do my own Apisto setup so this was useful to see

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thanks and good luck with your setup!

[@pollylewis9611]

I absolutely love your new tank, it really looks stunning, love the plants as you know I kill them faster than I can stick them into the tank! How about "Apisto Pete" for your new handsome dude, thank you so much for another awesome Video, oh yes, we all have had that tube end up on the floor, the memories, Polly!

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you, Polly. I've already thrown two plants in the trash. One was a little unhealthy when I planted him though. We'll see! And that's not the first time the hose has wound up pumping water on the floor in my house either!

[@pollylewis9611]

I really like your plants they add a lot to the tank, hoping they live healthy for you! Don't let me touch them nope they'd be goners!@@CichlidCharmer

[@msromike123]

LOL, you think like I do and have same sense of humor. Happily, subbed.

[@CichlidCharmer]

You're as weird as I am?? Lol. Thanks for the comment and the sub 🥰

[@rustyfan89]

Love this as I’m getting ready to set up my first apisto tank and this is basically what I want it to look like,I just finished building the stand so it should be a go for this weekend, I’m just going to put a pair in a 20 gallon waterbox cube AIO.i think it will be fine for a pair I got the tank specifically for this

[@CichlidCharmer]

Yeah that's a great size for them. I could t keep mine alive for some reason. Same thing with panda uarus. Have fun with your new tank, and thanks for the comment!

[@thomascrohan7810]

Really cool set up! Always wanted to try apistos! I hope your finger is ok, I remember breaking mine fondly when I was a little kid, what fun!

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you! It’s a little in disarray right now. They had babies and then the male died. I have some cute fry though. The finger was a sliced tendon. Never be the same, but it works. Mostly 🤪

[@thomascrohan7810]

So sorry to hear about the male, he lives on through the fry! Any idea what caused his untimely departure? Ouch! Were you cooking when this happened?@@CichlidCharmer

[@CichlidCharmer]

@@thomascrohan7810 The first one might have been stress. Second one I think the female kicked his ass.

[@KawaiiFishKeepers]

Nice! We’re thinking of getting apistos soon!

[@CichlidCharmer]

Enjoy them. Lots to choose from!

[@makiarn777]

You’re my new love. Just subscribed after looking at this video. Love apistogrammas. I have two orange flash but they are a little sketchy. I wish you had shared where you got yours. I’d like to follow suit. Your scape came out beautifully. I’m not good at scaping either. And yes I’ve had the same misfortune of the python tube disengaging during use. Not fun. 😂 Looking forward to future content.

[@CichlidCharmer]

Well thank you! 🥰. I bought my apistos from Red Fish Blue Fish. I thought I included that, but guess not 🤔 Thank you for the kind words and for subbing!

[@tree.65]

Great set up! I enjoyed watching this a apistogramma cactuoides tank come together. I went to a fish swap today, looking for something the inhabit my 40b planted aquarium and came home with a tripple red. I didn't get a pair but now I want to find a female after watching this.

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you! My apistos didn’t fair very well. Not sure why. Glad you’re having fun with yours though. You’ll love the fry if you get a female.

[@dascudder]

Looks pretty cool bud. Nice and clear. I used to follow MD pre me having Malawis. Annoyed me because his fingers are way greener than mine (I struggled so bad with plants). He is a genius though and smashing bloke

[@CichlidCharmer]

He certainly is. I already had to take out a dead plant 😢. It wasn’t doing well when it arrived though, so hopefully the others make it. Thanks for watching, Paul.

[@dingodave3966]

Stan the man. ❤

[@The_Emptiness_of_Space]

Thanks for the video, I originally was going to get Bolivian rams for my 55 gallon but decided to have a pair of of cockatoo cichlids and I needed help with incorporating their liking and their tank mates liking and this video really helped.

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you so much - glad you found it useful!

[@jtaka1453]

Nice. Looking forward to see some breeding. Also, yeah that light is over kill for a low tech tank. But, now you have it when you set up a your high tech tank ; )

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thanks! Yeah I knew it was overkill, but I really wanted it. I’ll use it on - not my high tech tank haha - but my new American cichlids tank.

[@jtaka1453]

@@CichlidCharmer Looking forward to it!

[@StrangesouthFL]

Hey Awesome video! Quick question, what filter media did you say you used for instant cycling? I’ve never heard of that before and if I can find one for my 30 gallon I’d appreciate it 😅

[@CichlidCharmer]

Hi Matt. So you can use any filter media from an established tank. Having a sponge filter in a stocked tank is nice and easy. Just transfer the sponge filter to the new tank. Or you can rob some ceramic rings from a canister or HOB.

[@silox250]

I can see some MDFishTanks influence in the products you used ;) Sick tank mate, you have a new subscriber

[@CichlidCharmer]

He is awesome! Thank you!

[@chandangowda8275]

Really I love your videos and want to have cichlid tank from last year but I don't have much space in home so planning to have 20 gallon tank with apisto (I love them) and saving money from last 4 months This week I planned to buy but last week my mom got sick and I spent all saved money on her treatment and felt bad that I have to wait for tank more time But your video made me smile thanks man

[@CichlidCharmer]

So sorry to hear about your mom 🥺. I hope she gets well soon - and that you get your tank up soon too! Thank you for watching and commenting! I couldn’t find my male Apisto last night so I thought he might have died. This morning I found him though! 😅

[@chandangowda8275]

@@CichlidCharmer thank you so much hope I get to see one more video of him And yeah he's full of character i seen in other videos plays hide ans seek hope you enjoy

[@chandangowda8275]

You know how to identify males and females in apisto babies?

[@CichlidCharmer]

@@chandangowda8275 no, but mine just had babies a few days ago! I think you would just vent them when they are large enough, if they don’t show that they are obviously males already

[@2roddmann2]

FYI- add t.p. wad (small) between wood/wood, rock/wood connections when using super glue(liquid glue). Some fumes may rise from glue paper mix - toxic, so do in a well ventilated area. Good solid connections with this method. Good luck on your shaping journey.😊

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you! I actually just tried this with my 180 gallon scape. Video should be released Saturday

[@vastedad]

I really, really enjoyed this video…remember (probably not, LOL), I inquired about your EBAs and also stating I was seriously considering dwarf cichlids? Well, this piece made my day as those Apistos were a treat to watch! Are those tetras South American, btw? Have a fine week, sir!

[@CichlidCharmer]

I DO remember, yeah 🤩 Those are Columbians. I got rid of them though because I thought they were stressing out the apistos. Thank you!

[@janetmoyeno]

You should do Apisto blue flames in the tank next to it. They are stunning. Great job on your tank, loved it!

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you

[@DiggingRob]

At the end the setup looks very nice very natural looking…….I also own The Tidal HOB filter, after about a month and a half the filter will get noisy, need to clean The Impeller & Shaft it will then be back quiet again……Thanks for sharing

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thanks! That is good to know about the filter. I’ll keep an ear out.

[@SquatchsCichlids]

Beautiful tank - love apistos! Looks like an Apisto Pete to me 😂

[@pollylewis9611]

Funny I just put that down also haha great minds think alike!

[@CichlidCharmer]

@@pollylewis9611 Hilarious! That's incredible! Oh, hello Polly 🤩

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you -- good name, Ryan!

[@Gilsfishroom]

Enjoyed the video mate, and what great timing! I am about to start on a blackwater apisto tank. That light may be a little bright for the Java and Anubias perhaps? Good to see you are making some South American cichlid videos.

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you - what a coincidence! It could very well be too bright. It’s only at about 1/10th power. The video is exposed for the light

[@JellyAnimated]

Amazing Land scaping! And have any advice on how to take care of Fish Eggs?

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you! I don’t have any experience with fish eggs, unfortunately

[@Jacoblifts7]

Dam I love it !

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thanks!

[@Mcgee18]

Nice tank!

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thanks!

[@mikech60]

Great tank! How you plan to keep the plants green? As the waste from those fishes might not be enough to feed the plants. I have most of my plants melted out in my 10G tank, fishes are fine, I have to add fertilizer to keep the few leftover plants alive.

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you! If they survive at all, it will be because I use root tabs and liquid fertilizer. I don’t have a good track record with plants though, so we shall see!

[@Hulltiger_Aquatics]

Similar to how I just set up my new tank for my apistogramma macmasteri 👍 looking good, mistake I made was using pebbles that buffered the hardness/PH of the tank so had to rescape it with lava rock 😂

[@4417t]

Love it. Maybe you could name him "blaze" given the fiery look... nice work all around!

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you and that’s a good name!

[@cichlidman559]

Different from the African cichlids but love the video and setup, can't wait to see the next one 😁

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thanks, cichlidman!

[@musiconvinylisbetter.1449]

Why didn't you put the bags at the bottom of the tank? The light is overkill for those plants. Do you run it at 30-40%? Chihiros wrgb 2 slim is enough for those plants. 90x40x40cm=96 litres. Nice tank.

[@Jake-ur2wf]

Great video, really felt that driftwood issue this past week haha. Tried to weigh down a 50 pound piece of driftwood and finally got it to work haha

[@CichlidCharmer]

So on a bit of a different scale then 😮. I hope your tank turned out great! Thanks for watching, Jake.

[@Royjah-sp9rm]

I've had my hose popped off twice when fillig my tanks. On my wood floors. Was on my hand and knees getting up water.

[@CichlidCharmer]

Oh my gosh. What a nightmare. I yelled for help because my wife was close to some towels. I should have had a pile next to me in case.

[@jeffnekuza3679]

Did you glue the plants directly to the rocks and drifwood?

[@CichlidCharmer]

Yes,but I think it could have gone much better.

[@jeffnekuza3679]

@@CichlidCharmer I thought it was brilliant!

[@CichlidCharmer]

@@jeffnekuza3679 well thank you, but the glue didn’t hold very well. You should check out md tanks. He’s so good at this!

[@rtsabado]

Hi there where did u get the background and where to buy it thank u

[@CichlidCharmer]

Coavas Window Privacy Film... www.amazon.com/dp/B00XHXU7PU?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[@chandangowda8275]

Do you add salt to apistogramma tank?

[@CichlidCharmer]

No, I did not.

[@myplantedfishtank]

The fish look amazing! loverly tank. My tip for you: the mistake is not the super glue it self. you need to add a little sigaret filter/ filter mesh.

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you! I also tried using cotton pads, but it didn’t help at all.

[@TheTwoTowheads]

Am I good with a 10 gallon tank?

[@CichlidCharmer]

You can find some people say yes, but I'd go with a 20 gallon minimum if you can swing it.

[@Parkbenchaquatics]

Awesomeness

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you!

[@tinadoyle3803]

Do you recommend flake food ?

[@CichlidCharmer]

Pellets are better than flake, but I still feed my angels some along with pellets. The apistos won’t touch flakes so far

[@tinadoyle3803]

@@CichlidCharmer yeh I'm finding that also. Thanks so much.

[@CichlidCharmer]

@@tinadoyle3803 sure! They love blood worms big time.

[@tinadoyle3803]

@@CichlidCharmer yeh iv noticed that 🙂

[@beccawilkins7350]

I think hawk or flame would be good name and the other tank I think different apistogrammas or rock dwellers the checkerboard ones or orange would contrast well

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you!

[@sevastipternitis5814]

Great job, but you need to use the aquarium glue made for Aquarius only.

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you

[@daniellaw8999]

Not true, any cyanoacrylate liquid super glue is fine.

[@musiconvinylisbetter.1449]

No you don't.

[@michaeleber4752]

What you did not notice in the other videos....they place a bit of cotton first then add the super glue gel. Also wood can have a great thrust upwards so you need much larger stones that the one you used. So place the stone, position the wood, insert the cotton and then glue them together. Let it sit for 24 hours before working with your substrate. You should make both tanks apistogramma but use a different dither fish. I have a place down the street from me that sells all wild apistogramma.

[@CichlidCharmer]

I actually did notice the cotton or cigarette filters in the other videos, and I tried it but it didn't work for me and I didn't include it in the video. But I also didn't do the other things you mentioned , which are all great suggestions. Than you!

[@trungductlu]

I think that Apistogramma prefer sandy substrates to rocks because they have a habit of filtering sand through their gills to clean their gills and search for food. great tank btw!

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you!

[@MeanOldLady]

Apistos are adorable, little assholes, but I don't want them murdering my peaceful crew. Someday I might make a tank just for them. =)

[@chrisa9999]

Fish & Klipsch! Me too

[@CichlidCharmer]

Now THAT’S hilarious 😂😂

[@nandakumarsubash]

I tried keeping a planted tank aquarium. But it didn't work out for me because of the high temperature in my place ( BTW, I live in Southern India) and Chillers are super expensive for my budget. Eventually, I gave up. By the way, I set up an 80-gallon peacock tank a month back inspired by you and Cichlid Bros.

[@CichlidCharmer]

Sorry it didn’t work out for you. It might not for me either. If it doesn’t I will have to go driftwood hunting again to keep lots of hiding places in there. I would love to see your tank! Could you send a photo to [e-mail]?

[@htabbas]

Brand new tank with brand new fish?

[@CichlidCharmer]

Yes it was. I had filter media from an established tank though.

[@BrittanyBauer-py6in]

Apistogramma blue panda With tetra and Kirb cichld

[@CichlidCharmer]

Nice!

[@Sequel7]

The bigger the tank the long u might wanna wait to let that water condition

[@terrellma]

Captain flashy Pants

[@sameernaik3231]

Name him "Aapis" 😁

[@CichlidCharmer]

Interesting - where does the name mean?

[@sameernaik3231]

@@CichlidCharmer it's short of apistogramma and also name of a Greek king

[@CichlidCharmer]

@@sameernaik3231 oh, Apis. I think I like that quite a lot!