ZebraPleco.com • The complete Hypancistrus zebra resource

Hi all

Here are some pics of my 3ft L46 tank. No Zebs in there yet. First one will go in on 16 Feb 2013!!!

Filtration: 1 x 650 l/h Bio filtration - Matrix filled internal filter
1 x 650 l/h Mechanical filtration - internal sponge filter
1 x 300 l/h Bio filtration - De-Nitrate
1 x Mechanical Dual Sponge filter - Air driven

Heater: 150W set at 28.5*C

Lighting: 1 x 20W Flow Glo T8 light

Substrate: Daro Small grain gravel about 3cm deep and some scatered pebbles

Plants: Some Anubia's and Amazon Sword

Caves: Some coconut diy caves, pvc diy caves, Terracotta Tile diy caves, some slate over hangs and some terracotta tile over hangs

Water parameters:
pH: 7.5 - 7.9
NO3: 25 mg/l
NO2: 0 mg/l
Ammonia: 0 mg/l
TDS: 148 ppm
So what do you guys think of this setup? Any tips or suggestions welcome.

I'm guessing those pvc pipes might be too big. I'd go with maybe 1" PVC. Zebras want to hide so to me it seems too open. It looks like you have it setup that way you could see them?

Hi jsalas623

Yes it is setup so I can see them. I will look into the 1' pvc pipe.

H all

I decided to change my L46 tank setup. I am going to remove the substrate I'm currently using and replace it with black quartz silica filter sand. The current substrate is fine Daro aquarium gravel. The problem with this gravel type is that some foods gets trapped in it and as a result of this, I found red worms in the substrate. Don't want red worms in my L46's substrate unless its bloodworms. Does anybody know if the black quartz silica sand will alter my water chemistry?

Hi All

Got the black sand but it has to much sharp like particles in it. Rather going for pool filter sand. Changed my tank setup as well. Will change the substrate as soon as I got the pool filter sand. Here are some pics for now. Current occupants include 2 x L333 fry at 3.5cm, 2 x BN fry at 3.5cm and a couple of Betta's soon to be re-housed in another tank due to high temp and strong current.

Looks good, isn't the water to warm for the betta's though?

Hi har_eh

Thanks. Yes the temp is a bit high for betta's. Ideal temp for betta's is between 26*C and 28*C. All my betta tanks run at 27*C atm. I have bred them from 25*C up to 29*C and 27*C yields the best spawn size. I lowered the temp to 28.5*C for now and all occupants seems to be happy in this range. The Zebra that I'm getting this Saturday is also quite happy at 28*C for the past 4 months, so all should go well.

Hi all

Got my 7cm Zebra today. It looks like its a male and not a female. Here are some pics of my new Zebra.

Hi all

Got some lucky shot pics tonight of my L46...

Hi All

It's been a while since my last visit. I have obtained another Zebra. It is now about 4cm's long and doing very well. Other tank mates are 3 x L129's, 2 x L333's and 1 x 7cm L46. I removed the Betta's a while ago even though they did very well in the warmer temps. Tank decor basicaly the same. Add some more wood pieces with flame moss and the other one with Taiwan moss. Had some X-mass moss in there as well but removed it again as it started to die off. Here are some pics:

defo a male you got there can see its hairs and bristles