Jstrider: not to disagree w/elaphe’s alternative fish choice but looking from the top, the colors and patterns are very subtle, unless you get varieties where the colors stand out. Sailfin mollies are nice but you don’t get to see the sailfin and the display the males perform looking from above.
Sarassas will be fine, provided that the barrel is cut in half lengthwise to give more lateral swimming space. To keep it from rolling, make a pair of “X” frames and have it look like a trough. To give extra dimension, attach rectangular baskets/planters around the perimeter or just the side and back. If you are feeling extra creative, mount them ~2” above the edge of the barrel, plumb them together and use a pump to feed the planters where it will act as a wetland to help keep the water clean. You will have to “McGuyver” a supporting system for the planters, as it’ll be quite heavy w/water. Use Shultz Profile as a substrate as it won’t foul the water like soil.
It’s a fair bit more work to do but if done right, it will not only help keep the water clear but it will look stunning
. If you decide to go this route, I can draw up a schematic for the planters.
I prefer water hyacinths over water lettuce as the former has a purple bloom where the latter doesn’t bloom at all. Both are fine together to give differences in “visual” texture.
Mister Coaster: corner aquariums pose one of the biggest challenges for lighting. If you are a DIY-er, T5HO lighting system is they way to go. Just make sure to use the individual reflectors as that’s their biggest advantage over other fluorescent lighting systems. One can use a metal halide pendant but then you are limited to one particular color temperature of bulb. With T5HO, you can use different bulbs to get the color you like and you don’t get nearly as much heat created from the bulbs.
Nutrient supplementation, I can go on but to prevent boring anyone to tears, it’s best dealt on a case-by-case situation…LOL!
Elaphe…miss you lots my old friend. Let me know when you are coming to TO and we’ll feast at Tokyo Hell. Koko is on a non-stop “Hey Dumbass” kick…LMFAO.