30 gallon cube stocking

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Fishlock Holmes

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Jan 9, 2011
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Central Indiana
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Rachel
I'm struggling to decide how to stock my new 30 gallon cube. I've looked through the forum and found that there's not much out there about stocking a cube tank, so I figured I'd document my progress. Maybe this way future cube owners will have some more ideas!

I'd been planning for a 55g. The tank belonged to a family friend, and she told me it was a 55. I decided on an African cichlid tank. I will be using tap water, and around here it is extremely hard and alkaline, making it perfect for cichlids. Much to my surprise, I got to pick up my tank and discover it's nowhere close to a 55... it's a 30 cube!

It was in pitiful shape, and took me a full two days to get cleaned up and running.

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Sadly, this was holding a 6-7" piranha, along with about a dozen feeder goldfish. It was only filled halfway, and the filter was turned off because it was "too loud" (too loud because it was only half full!). The piranha is now awaiting a more appropriate home.

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Two sides down, two to go. This is with nothing but a razor blade and some cramping fingers.

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A razor blade, lots of elbow grease, and one hour later. The lime/calcium build up has all been scraped off.

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After scratching most of the crud off with a razor blade, I went back with some diluted vinegar and scrubbed. After plenty of rinsing, I now have sparkling clear glass!

You can see my old 20H aquarium behind the cube. I will be moving the inhabitants of the 20 to the cube eventually.

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All set up! Turns out, the lady who had this tank had no idea what she had... It came with a Rena XP1 canister filter. On the rare occasion she turned the filter on, I can't imagine it did any good as all the filter media inside was missing! I've of course added new filter media and it's working like a dream. I've never had a canister filter before, always HOBs, but I'm not in a hurry to go back!

So, now I have a 30g cube. This has completely thrown me for a loop, and I'm really struggling on deciding how to stock it. After letting it cycle, I added the inhabitants of my 20g... 5 platies, 3 cherry barbs, and an otocinclus. I'm not sure if I want to keep any of these guys, but I also don't know what else to put. I'm really considering a pair of rams. I've had them before and they're an all-time favorite of mine. There are several other fish I'd like, but the fact that this tank isn't very long is throwing me off. So, I'd love to hear any and all suggestions on how to stock this thing!

Thanks!

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Fishlock Holmes

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Jan 9, 2011
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Central Indiana
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Rachel
Fast foward a bit, and here's an updated picture of the tank. As I mentioned, it's been cycled and now housing 5 platies, 3 cherry barbs, and an oto. I'm just not crazy about them yet.

0110111319.jpg
(please ignore the aluminum foil on top... that's only until the new glass canopy I ordered arrives!)

I'm still thinking about some rams. I'm also thinking about swapping the cherry barbs and platies for a school of rasboras... either heteromorpha or brigittae. I also really like cory cats.

Also, I suck at aquascaping. I know I need more height, but I'm unsure of what to do. I haven't yet found any better driftwood. I have some java fern and java moss, but in the process of switching tanks I accidentally left them out of the water too long and killed most of them. So, I'd like more plants for sure, but I have very low lighting so I don't know of many options. Suggestions?

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Fishlock Holmes

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Jan 9, 2011
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raams would be nice also angelfish they love tall tanks
small school of cories wouldnt hurt.
I've considered angels, but I really like fish with personality, and angels don't really seem to have much personality at all. My rams always had a lot of personality. Maybe I'm mistaken about the angels? I've never kept them, so I could be wrong.
 

rufioman

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Aug 16, 2010
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My angels are just pigs that stay around the driftwood stack and hangout with each other lol. They're awesome fish in the sense that their personality is one of indifference to anything else unless they're hungry. I think that given your tank is cube shaped you could do well with one angel or betta, a school of top swimmers or some tetras, and a school of corys.
 

Fishlock Holmes

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Jan 9, 2011
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Central Indiana
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My angels are just pigs that stay around the driftwood stack and hangout with each other lol. They're awesome fish in the sense that their personality is one of indifference to anything else unless they're hungry. I think that given your tank is cube shaped you could do well with one angel or betta, a school of top swimmers or some tetras, and a school of corys.
Lol, I think I'll stick with the rams instead of angels, then. I always liked how curious the rams were, and how much they interacted with the other fish.

Other than danios, what other top swimmer options are there? I'm afraid that's one area that I don't have much experience with. I saw some cute, albeit very tiny little featherfin rainbows, as well as some dwarf rainbows. They're on my mind now too!
 

Chrisinator

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Sep 27, 2008
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I recommend looking up Peacock GUdgeons and searching around your area if you can find a few of them. They are awesome fish and they have great personality.
 

rufioman

"That guy"
Aug 16, 2010
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I agree, but I've been wanting to try and incorporate killifish into one of my tanks.
 

Fishlock Holmes

AC Members
Jan 9, 2011
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Central Indiana
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Rachel
I recommend looking up Peacock GUdgeons and searching around your area if you can find a few of them. They are awesome fish and they have great personality.
I forgot about those! I used to have a pair ages ago. Forgot how much fun they were.

I agree, but I've been wanting to try and incorporate killifish into one of my tanks.
I love killis, but I'm afraid they get a little big for a cube, don't they?
 

fishboy7

Amazonian Specialist
Jun 12, 2010
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I don't think they get too big for it. You'll be fine with a dozen of them.
 
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