The Chromatic Torrent

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The Chromatic Torrent

"Experience a visual explosion of color with The Chromatic Torrent. This design mimics a sun-drenched canyon stream, using high-intensity lighting and CO2 to fuel a vibrant palette of fiery reds and lush greens. The sight of Boesemani Rainbows flashing through the water column while Roseline Sharks zip across the length of this long tank creates an unparalleled sense of motion and life."

Minimum Tank Size

Standard 75g (48x18x21)

Volume

75 gal

Water Parameters

72°F-79°F

7-7.5 pH

Substrate

ADA Amazonia Ver.2 (Active Soil)La Plata Sand (Cosmetic river path)

Hardscape Components

Seiryu StoneScattered along the 'riverbed' path to create depth and texture.

Smooth River PebblesTransitioning from stones to the central sandy path.

Fauna Inventory

Boesemani Rainbowfish

Schooling Fish

Upper to middle water column

Denison Barb (Roseline Shark)

Active Swimmer

Middle water column

Flora Inventory

Rotala rotundifolia 'H'Ra'

Stem

8 bunches

Background left and right corners

Micranthemum 'Monte Carlo'

Carpeting

6 pots

Foreground center riverbanks

Ludwigia natans 'Super Red'

Stem

5 bunches

Midground focal clusters

The Chromatic Torrent

Other Aquascape Plan

aquascaping.ai

January 15, 2026

TankStandard 75g (48x18x21) (75 gal)

Parameters72-79°F • pH 7-7.5

DifficultyAdvanced

Fauna

8x Boesemani Rainbowfish
5x Denison Barb (Roseline Shark)

Flora

8 bunches Rotala rotundifolia 'H'Ra'
6 pots Micranthemum 'Monte Carlo'
5 bunches Ludwigia natans 'Super Red'

Shopping List

Tank & Supplies

Item	Qty	Est. Cost
75 Gallon Standard Aquarium- 48x18x21 dimensions; rimless version recommended for high-end look.	1	$250-$400
High-Output LED Lighting (48 inch)- Must support high-tech PAR levels for Rotala 'H'Ra' and Monte Carlo.	1	$200-$350
Large Canister Filter- Minimum 500 GPH turnover; Oase Biomaster or Fluval FX series suggested.	1	$180-$300
Pressurized CO2 System with Inline Injector- Includes regulator, 5lb tank, and the specified inline injector for efficiency.	1	$200-$300
ADA Amazonia Ver.2 (Active Soil)- Nutrient-rich substrate for stem plants and carpet.	3 x 9L bags	$135-$160
ADA La Plata Sand- For the central cosmetic river path.	1 x 2kg bag	$20-$30
Circulation Powerhead- Provides the 'torrent' flow for Roseline Sharks and Rainbows.	1	$40-$70
300W Submersible Heater- Maintain a consistent 75-78 Fahrenheit.	1	$35-$55

Hardscape

	Item	Qty	Est. Cost
	Seiryu Stone- Used to frame the river path and support the soil banks.	35 lbs	$100-$140
	Smooth River Pebbles- Mixed sizes for transitioning between stones and sand.	1 bag	$15-$25

Flora

Item	Qty	Est. Cost
Rotala rotundifolia 'H'Ra'- Plant densely in rear corners for maximum red impact.	8 bunches	$50-$70
Micranthemum 'Monte Carlo'- Tissue cultures recommended to avoid snails and algae.	6 pots	$60-$80
Ludwigia natans 'Super Red'- Midground focal clusters.	5 bunches	$35-$50

Fauna

	Item	Qty	Est. Cost
	Boesemani Rainbowfish- Get a mix of males for the best blue/orange contrast.	8	$120-$160
	Denison Barb (Roseline Shark)- Active schooling fish; ensure the tank is tightly covered.	5	$75-$125

Setup Guide

Canyon Foundation & Hardscape

Day 1

Position the 75-gallon tank on a level, reinforced stand.
Lay down ADA Amazonia Ver.2 in the background and midground areas, creating a steep slope towards the back for depth.
Define the central 'river' path using La Plata Sand, using cardboard dividers to keep it separate from the active soil.
Position Seiryu Stones along the border of the sand and soil to create a natural-looking canyon wall.
Scatter Smooth River Pebbles at the base of the Seiryu stones to transition the texture into the sandy riverbed.

Tip: Use a spray bottle to dampen the soil while scaping; this prevents the substrate from sliding and makes it easier to position stones.

The Chromatic Planting

Day 1

Mist the substrate thoroughly to prepare for planting.
Separate Monte Carlo into small plugs and plant them 1 inch apart in the foreground sandy banks.
Group the Ludwigia 'Super Red' in the midground focal clusters behind the stones.
Plant the Rotala rotundifolia 'H'Ra' bunches densely in the far left and right background corners.
Slowly fill the tank with water at 75°F, pouring over a plastic sheet to avoid disturbing the sand path.

Tip: Plant the Rotala stems deep into the ADA Amazonia to ensure they don't float during the initial fill.

System Stabilization

Weeks 1-4

Engage the canister filter and set the Inline CO2 injector to 3 bubbles per second.
Run the High-Output LED lighting for 6 hours daily to prevent early algae blooms.
Perform 50% water changes every 2 days for the first 14 days to manage the ammonia spike from the ADA soil.
Install the powerhead/circulation fan to ensure high oxygenation and flow across the plant leaves.
Test water parameters weekly to monitor the conversion of Ammonia to Nitrates.

Tip: During the first two weeks, do not dose fertilizers as the ADA Amazonia soil provides ample nutrients.

Pruning & Nutrient Tuning

Weeks 5-6

Perform the first major trim of the Monte Carlo to encourage it to mat horizontally.
Increase light duration to 8 hours daily.
Begin dosing iron and micronutrients to enhance the deep reds of the Ludwigia and Rotala.
Clean the canister filter intake and glass to maintain high clarity for the high-energy aesthetic.

Tip: If the Rotala looks orange rather than red, slightly increase the CO2 and check that your nitrates are not excessively high.

Adding the Torrent Schoolers

Month 2

Confirm Ammonia and Nitrite are 0ppm and Nitrates are below 20ppm.
Drip acclimate the 8 Boesemani Rainbowfish over 60 minutes to ensure they adjust to the pH.
One week later, introduce the 5 Denison Barbs (Roseline Sharks).
Monitor the fish for signs of stress; ensure the powerhead provides a strong enough current for these active swimmers.

Tip: Feed the Rainbowfish high-quality frozen cyclops or brine shrimp to make their yellow and blue colors pop against the red plants.

Maintenance Schedule

Daily

Color-Enhancing Feeding

Feed the Boesemani Rainbowfish and Denison Barbs a variety of high-quality flakes and frozen brine shrimp to support their metabolic needs and vibrant coloration.

Nutrient Dosing and CO2 Check

Dose liquid fertilizers, emphasizing iron for the red plants, and verify that the inline CO2 injector is maintaining a lime-green color on the drop checker.

Weekly

Major Water Change

Perform a 50% water change to manage nutrient accumulation from the active soil and liquid dosing, ensuring water remains crystal clear for the fast-swimming fish.

Stem Plant Pruning

Trim the Rotala 'H'Ra' and Ludwigia 'Super Red' to maintain the background shape and prevent them from blocking light to the foreground Monte Carlo.

Sand Path Grooming

Siphon any stray ADA Amazonia granules off the La Plata Sand path to maintain the distinct 'riverbed' visual contrast.

Bi-Weekly

Monte Carlo Thinning

Carefully trim the Monte Carlo carpet along the riverbanks to prevent the bottom layers from rotting and the mat from detaching from the substrate.

Monthly

Filtration and Flow Maintenance

Clean the canister filter sponges and check the powerhead to ensure the high-flow environment remains optimal for the oxygen-loving Denison Barbs.

Hardscape Scrubbing

Use a soft toothbrush to remove any spot algae from the Seiryu stones and river pebbles to keep the hardscape looking sharp against the red foliage.

Generated by Fish Advisor AI