Dimensions 97 × 69 × 56 cm

Title Shire Hill

Volume 204L

Background Black posterboard

Lighting JBJ Formosa DX-JG3 strip (2x65Watt).

Filtration Hagen Fluval 404

Plants Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus), Anubias Nana, Anubias barteri, Anubias barteri 'coffeefolia', Crypt. wentii, Pennywort, Hygrophilia polysperma, Sagittaria subulata?, Limnophila aquatica, Nymphaea lotus 'zenkeri', Narrow Leaf Ludwigia (Ludwigia repens x arcuata), Broadleaf Ludwigia (Ludwigia repens)

Animals Melanotaenia boesemani, Melanotaenia trifasciata, Melanotaenia praecox, Glossolepis incisus, Corydoras sodalis, Botia sidthimunki, Crossocheilus siamensis

Materials Onyx Sand, Slate, Bog Wood (lots of wood).

Additional Information Most of the tank is filled with plants that require little maintainance. The largest exception is the pennywort. I extract large amounts of this on a bi-weekly basis. The pennywort started as a single 8" stem, and within 6 weeks, covered the entire tank. It is one of the most prolific growers I have seen. This keeps the tank fairly algae-free.

One thing I have found with this corner tank is that it has a dark, unlighted, patch in the back corner -- something I consider both a plus and a minus. I originally tried growing a large sword plant back there. It would grow toward the light and completely cover the water surface. After various similar attempts, I realize that I prefer the dark corner in the back. I believe it makes the tank look a lot deeper than it is because the top of the hill fades to darkness.

Lastly, the amount of bog wood that I have in the tank makes countless little caves for fish to hide within and explore. Most of the space underneath the "hill" is occupied by roots and empty space. My corys and loaches seem to love following these hidden passages. Similarly my rainbows have places to retreat when they so desire.