View Full Version : Woohoo, Another Tank
paradigmcubed
05-20-2003, 10:00 PM
I had a friend give me a 120 gallon tank, its now fully cycled. I want to know what sort of colorful fish you would recommend. I was thinking a south american/central american tank with possibly a few african cichlids that work in that sort of PH, maybe a Tilapia. Anyways my list so far is:
1 JD
1 Oscar
Any suggestions? I'd like something colorful and are there any sort of puffers that could go in there?
ChilDawg
05-20-2003, 10:02 PM
No puffers...those two fish will beat up a puffer, especially since they can't swim away.
I'm thinking Cons or Spilurums for the color...
paradigmcubed
05-20-2003, 10:05 PM
Thanks for the ideas. I have cons in my 40 gallon, so I don't think I'll add those. How about Jewels?
ChilDawg
05-20-2003, 10:06 PM
No prob...love to work with others' tanks as I don't have many of my own! :)
dbcb314
05-20-2003, 10:10 PM
What about a green terror? They have real tight colors, especially if they are dominate. But, that might kill your oscar.
paradigmcubed
05-20-2003, 10:28 PM
Wow, Green Terror's are cool, anyone know if they'll work?
Tightdog1
05-20-2003, 10:28 PM
if you want solitary go with a jaguar or golden jaguar
ChilDawg
05-20-2003, 10:29 PM
It depends on the individual GT...I've seen that some are psychotic as all get out and others are calm...I'd think long and hard about this one, and definitely add that GT last.
paradigmcubed
05-20-2003, 10:30 PM
I'd rather have the first two fish I listed, so I don't believe I'll go solitary. Though it is always a possibility.
optix
05-20-2003, 10:32 PM
hmmm a 120 with a GT jack and oscar, it could work but if it doesn't you'll have a mauled oscar and a pretty cool shodown between the jack and the GT most likely, :P I'd leave the GT out
paradigmcubed
05-21-2003, 5:14 PM
How about this:
1 JD
1 Salvini
1 Green Terror
1 Blue Acara
1 Blue-Eye Cichlid
Or
1 JD
1 Salvini
1 Blue Acara
1 Blue-Eye Cichlid
1 Oscar
I'd also like to say this tank has unusual dimensions, it is square-like, 4 ft. long, 3 ft. wide, 2 ft. tall.
Would these work, are they too much, or will I be able to stock more???
paradigmcubed
05-21-2003, 5:16 PM
Also for those North Carolineans out there, I heard there was a great store in Greensboro, anyone know what it is called? Supposedly the biggest fish store in the state.
dbcb314
05-21-2003, 6:22 PM
In either option, I do not see the acara living. They are just too docile.
I would go with the first option, minus the acara.
In the second option, It seems the dempsey will dominate. But, I would definently not include the acara.
paradigmcubed
05-21-2003, 6:58 PM
Then maybe this list:
1 GT
1 JD
1 Oscar
1 Salvini
1 Texas Cichlid
(Any top fish, possibly colorful?)
ChilDawg
05-21-2003, 7:30 PM
No top fish will survive for too long in that tank unless they can fight back hard...and not too many of those are regularly available!
I still think that the Oscar may not make it in a "Rambo-style" tank such as that, but the bioload looks feasible (with a little extra filtration).
dbcb314
05-21-2003, 8:26 PM
Looks pretty good, but make sure you watch the condition of the oscar carefully.
Maybe you should make sure the oscar is bigger than the others when you introduce him to the tank.
ChilDawg
05-21-2003, 8:30 PM
That's a good idea, dbcb314, but you'd probably also need to add the Oscar first thing so that it could establish a territory before any of the others arrive...
paradigmcubed
05-21-2003, 9:09 PM
I have another friend who said the same thing as you guys, introduce the Oscar first and make sure he has a head start. My Oscar has been growing out in a 40 gallon, he's about 4 1/2 inches. All the other fish I'm putting in will all be about 2 inches and hopefully that will make a difference. My friend was also recommending that I make several caves with pots and rocks as that may help the process, according to him it isn't a good idea to leave it really open. I just wanted to check and see if you guys consider this tank completely full, thinking of when they get full grown of course. I also was told by my lfs a congo puffer could go in there. I know ChilDawg said Puffers wouldn't work, but the guys at my LFS were saying they could hold their own, though I value ChilDawg's advice more than theirs'. I've always been fascinated with puffers, so I'm exhausting all possibilities.
Thanks for all your help!
ChilDawg
05-21-2003, 9:12 PM
Um...I am hoping that the guy from the LFS meant that there would be no other fish in the tank, but the Congo Puffer would either get its butt kicked or tear the fins from your other fish...I'm guessing that it wouldn't last.
paradigmcubed
05-21-2003, 9:21 PM
Alright, I guess no puffers, the guy I talked to knew all about the other fish and he was gungho, saying of course I could put a Congo Puffer. He went as far as saying I would be way understocked with those fish I have listed, so that's when I became suspicious, guess I know it was just a sales push. Thanks for clearing that up.
ChilDawg
05-21-2003, 9:22 PM
I'm not sure that he was trying to make a sale as much as misinformed, but don't take his advice either way!!!
paradigmcubed
05-21-2003, 10:32 PM
Would it be a good idea to get some dithers, maybe giant danios, though who knows if they'd be eaten. Maybe this would enhance the Oscar's chances.
ChilDawg
05-21-2003, 10:39 PM
It might not be a bad idea, but I don't think that they'd last long enough to be effective...
paradigmcubed
05-21-2003, 10:41 PM
Any dithers that would? Maybe Tinfoil barbs....
Thanks
optix
05-21-2003, 10:45 PM
the barb's may work but something very important if you are serious about trying all of those in a 120 together is to have an *** load of potential territory decoration's. lots and lots of rocks cave's wood, flower pots etc. thats alot of territory needed for fish that get at the smallest 6 inchs' I can tell ya one thing, there wont be much cruising going on, your fish will be staying in one area at all times or they will show some torn fin's and missing scales
paradigmcubed
05-22-2003, 12:32 PM
How about Rainbows as dithers?
ChilDawg
05-22-2003, 12:37 PM
They've been used as dithers in Rambo tanks, but be prepared for a few casualties right away, and some more as time goes on!
In my 150 gallon tank I have an oscar, a Jack Dempsey, 2 gold severums, a firemouth, and a blue acara....
....all are showing great colors. The severums dominate the tank.
paradigmcubed
05-22-2003, 3:39 PM
Are your fish mostly keeping to themselves, is there much movement?
dbcb314
05-22-2003, 3:53 PM
HaHaHa, he said a puffer and large aggressive cichlids would go together? Worst advice ever.
Rainbows can be expensive dithers, bc it is guarenteed you will lose a couple. Maybe silver dollars.
paradigmcubed
05-22-2003, 5:16 PM
Since I'll be getting some fish, I'll need to know what sort of heater I'll need. Can you guys help me out? Right now I have been filtering with a Emperor 400, what else would you recommend, I'm willing to completely swap for one filter system that could handle the tank. Thanks
Lastly, I've been told Central American Cichlids and Cichlids from that are such as a JD grow much faster than a Malawian Electric Blue Hap, is this true. I am pursuing South American because in 2 years I'll be in college, so I'd like my fish to grow out faster.
paradigmcubed
05-22-2003, 10:29 PM
Bump
optix
05-22-2003, 10:34 PM
JD's do grow pretty quickly up until around 4 or 5 inch's mine is 4 inchs and I got it when she was about 3/4 of an inch in november of this past year. You will need two emp. 400's at least to filter and about a 250-300 watt heater.
paradigmcubed
05-22-2003, 10:41 PM
Thanks, could I get away with 2 Penguin 330's?
optix
05-22-2003, 10:43 PM
hmmmm if you are indeed going with the fish you've listed thats quite a bioload and I honestly don't even know if 2 emp. 400's is enough. I'd say go with the 400's to be safe, unless you have time for very frequent water changes.
Para-
The fish are constantly moving around.....
The only problem I have yet to encounter is the severums pick on the oscar, which usually results in him having a wound. They don't go after him, and he doesn't charge them, but when he stumbles too close they always nip him on the side.
I've caught the JD & Oscar in a lock jaw twice, but They gave up and went their seperate ways.
Never had a problem with the acara, firemouth, or any others. Silver dollars have never even been chased that I can see!
TarHeelGuy
05-23-2003, 7:47 PM
the store in greensboro that u mentioned earlier is called AquaMains Fish and Reptile World. i live in high point and buy all of my fish there. they have any fish u could want fresh and saltwater and have beautiful display tanks. the only drawback is they are a little on the pricey side but i dont mind spending a little extra for healthy goodlooking fish. this is their website http://www.aquamains.com/index.html u should make the drive from chapel hill its only an hour away(i should know i practically live at the dean dome during basketball season lol)it would be well worth the drive.
paradigmcubed
05-23-2003, 11:21 PM
Out of curiosity how much does it cost energy wise to run a 120-gallon tank or something around that?
paradigmcubed
05-24-2003, 2:09 PM
How about one Penguin 330 (60 gallons) and one Aqua Clear 500 (for over 100 gallons)? They said I could
hmmmm im picky, I'll leave this one to someone else.
ChilDawg
05-24-2003, 2:17 PM
Originally posted by paradigmcubed
Out of curiosity how much does it cost energy wise to run a 120-gallon tank or something around that?
It really depends on the equipment. The people in DIY will be able to do more with this question...try reposting there.
paradigmcubed
05-24-2003, 2:44 PM
When referring to the people who said I could I was talking about the LFS people. I also reposted in DIY.
Thanks
ChilDawg
05-24-2003, 2:52 PM
I figured...I was just wondering if the people in DIY here could help you answer all of that.
For filtration I would use (and do use) a Fluval 404 for biological and two AC for mechanical. IMHO if you are stocking a tank that large you would easily be able to cover the minimum from Jeff Rapps and could get much more of a variety and rarer fish than you could find at a LFS. Just my two cents. And I wouldn't bother with a dither as they will eventually just be killed. Actually it would be more of a target fish than a dither.
in my experience, oscars wont do much damnage to anything that doesnt pose a threat to them. its not so much that they are extremely aggressive, its just that they get big. also, i dont think the blue eye would work
paradigmcubed
05-24-2003, 8:44 PM
What is AC? and who is Jeff Rapps, what do you mean by the minimum?
Thanks a lot!
ChilDawg
05-24-2003, 9:13 PM
Jeff Rapps: www.tangledupincichlids.com
You need to buy a certain amount of fish ($50 worth) in order to have him process your order.
I put 3 blue gouramies in with my 6 inch jd and 4 inch convict. They have been in there for six months, with no problems. I have tried to introduce others tiger barbs,a catfish and some others. Didnt last. But its amazing the jd and con completely ignore the blue gouramies for some reason. Ijust wish they could ignore each other, major battles. Tim
paradigmcubed
05-25-2003, 8:28 AM
How big is your tank?
55 gal for the time being. Im going to upgrade as soon as I build my stand, Im just having a problem on how big to go. Or I have been considering just getting a tank for the convict. I just cant make up my mind. Tim:confused:
rufioman
10-01-2010, 11:40 AM
This might be the worst thread ever...whatever happened to people reading up before they start aquariums?