I was just wondering if anyone had ever even thought of the idea of setting up a small fake SWT. I was thinking about it, and was wondering if anyone has ever done it. I am talking fake salt water, fake anemones, fake everything. Or maybe a real FWT that looks like a SWT?

i am afraid i don't understand what about fish?

:o You don't need a SWT with fish. They can consist of live rock, sponges, plants, etc. and be just as pretty. On the other note, a freshwater to look salt water, I was wondering about the fish part. They would have to be colorful, NOT PAINTED, or anything like that. Just a thought I have had for awhile.

I've seen a few fake salt water tanks, and I was actually surprised at how nice they looked. If you are looking for very colorful fish, you could always try a blue cray, or celebes rainbows, some species of cichlids (acei cichlid for example), etc.

Good luck with your project and be sure to send in some pictures. It might give the rest of us some good ideas! ^_^

:o OH! MY GOSH! I didn't even think about a blue cray! I have one!!!!!!
Boy oh boy the hubby is going to be surprised when he gets home! I think I have enough to get started too! I have SW rocks, and shells. Now I just need to go and find some pics of plants, so I can make them! Hey, you gave me the bomb of an idea, the only thing is that with the cray I could not put anything in there with him. He is already in too small of a tank. But if I had the colors right, that is tight! I even have black sand. I'll just get rid of the neon gravel!



Here is the lastest pic, I may not be able to get to it today. I have to clean two other tanks first. But I'll at least get it started. Just wish I had White sand instead.

cool be sure to post pics of it

Yea, I will. I think if I get a little help or not, I will change it tonight.
It will take some time though, sand is tough to deal with, (at first).
Messy sand, change the background, etc.
Hubby knows how to catch Rocky with no stress though. That way, I can change his settings quickly.
#1 thing is just to get everything set up and ready to go, (game plan).
#2 temperature, (easy) and leave the right amount of debris for adaptation
#3 two hours after the change he gets a good sized guppy
#4 enjoy the view and happiness we bring to him

That little cray is so cute!

You might look at walmart, it seems like they had some fake anemones that had rubber things that kind of wave in the water.

What will you make the plants out of?

That sounds like a really cool idea!

Good Luck :D

I have been doing my tank tonight, that is why I am not in here. BUT! I got rid of the neon gravel, got everything ready and "Rocky" will love his new home TONIGHT!
The plants, I go to the dollar store and then look on line, and make them out of the silk flowers and the like.
Look at my site if you would like to see more on the process.
It is not done in detail but it will give you an idea.
Wait till you see my fake lily pad!
Oh! Now I have to clean my pc again! black sand, lol

The fake SWT is a great idea!

Guess the first thing he darted toward?

Now I am concerned..
Okay hubby thought he was stuck, my bad. OOPS!
I got yelled at. Mongo, (hubby), broke the shell and he is now in the tank without it. I have read on many sites they acted like cats though!
:( I just hope he makes it, I can't believe I didn't listen to my first instinct. Now because of me, he may die.
Can you imagine the sound of the hammer to break him free? I am in tears.. :Beer: now is the time to drink a beer, and come to the aid of my hoping.

I am confused, from what I gather, you put a shell in there, and he darted for the shell, your husband thought he was stuck and broke the shell with a hammer, then yelled at you?

Why would your husband think the crayfish was stuck in a shell?

He was afraid that "Rocky" was stuck. I told him to leave it alone and what I read he was going to be fine. But, he is a very novice fish keeper. Kinda like I would be if I had a SWT. That shell, was worth $700 10 years ago. At any rate, I have another one and I wouldn't sell them anyway. He only broke a hole through it so it is still usable.
I was right too! I saw "Rocky" climb in face forward, and when Mongo, (hubby) broke the hole in the shell, guess what way he came out? Backward! But at least mongo knows his baby is still alive and safe.
AND! He is not a natural fish keeper. I clean his tanks and monitor all the time.
He,(mongo) is happy though!

So I am still a little confused is your crayfish hurt or not?

Well, Rocky is fine. He wasn't stuck but I had to ease the hubby. Here is his new home!

You put a $700 shell in the aquarium? What is special about the shell? Just being nosey ... :lol:

I'm glad Rocky is okay.

Ok, yeah, in the future, let your hubby know that Rocky will never get stuck on his own. The only way he'll ever get stuck is if (for example) some rocks in a rock cave become disloged and collapse on him.

In the meantime, I'm trying to figure out what kind of shell costs $700... I've seen some pretty expensive shells in my day, but nothing that comes close to that. Maybe you can take some pictures of the surviving shell, to satisfy our curiosity.

maybe...
Shells
Anemone/Coral decor (from PetCo)
Rocks


hmmmm....

They were actually specially picked out of the ocean in Florida. They were the ex's so it doesn't matter if they go into a tank or not. That is what he told me.

On another note! Something is missing to make it look more real. Is it just missing a lighted hood? Or maybe some more plants? Help me out here guys. There needs to be something, it looks a bit wrong to me.

Looks great! Like the idea. May help get your ideas going...

One

Nother link

She be a link

This one's my favorite

They have quite a few. do a search for "anemone" in their search enging, there. They sell ones that light up in the dark when you plug them in, too. If you search you'll find it.

This link has some more


Looks good!
-Stu

Sorry I don't see any links there. I'll look up some stuff, but I need to use what I have here. No job right now. I think maybe a big piece of coral, like mentioned before. I may have something more around the house, I'll take a look around. Thanks

You know, I would add some low wattage lighting so you almost get a 'glow'. That way it could simulate the deep depths of the ocean. That would be pretty cool. You could also put something that 'stirs' the water to get the 'light waves' going across the bottom of the tank. Light waves.. wasn't sure of another way to explain it, lol! :lol:

Tank looks great though. I've always wanted to keep some crays. How do you like yours? Is it true that it's a big gamble to keep them with other fish?

Great idea on the silk plants idea. I would have never thought about that! You've really given me alot of ideas. Where do you buy your plants from?

Crays + fish = dead fish and a happy cray. Contrary what anybody tells you, any crayfish eats fish. They can catch them ALL at night. Specially big ones. That one looks pretty big.

Mazza, I posted in the DIY section. I make my own. Most of the time that is. I buy the foliage at the dollar store. And yes, Stewie is correct. Crays and fish equal one really happy cray! I plan on getting more crays, when I can afford to move him to a bigger tank. I love OUR "Rocky". He has lived through 2 molts now! He should be molting again soon.

Not when that fish is an Oscar.

True, bartier, but not much does live against an oscar.

2 molts. Good! May I ask how long you've had him? All the crayfish catch molt 2 or 3 times, then die. I don't have any luck with them.

Oh, Ps, 20 gallons per crayfish unless you want them eating e/o

Yeah I know Stewie about the tank size and the hiding areas and all. I bought "Rocky right before Christmas. They are supposed to 8- 10 times the first year. And less as the years go on. If they molt faster, you are feeding them too much and shorten their life span! Also, they are a coldwater fish and if put in with a heater that also will shorten their life.