Hello everyone! New to the site but not to the hobby; I just turned 20 yesterday but I've been keeping fish since I was 9! Anyway, I'm finally in a room off-campus while attending university and so I've been able to set up two 20-gallon fish tanks in my room. It's been a little while since I did any serious fishkeeping, and I'm excited to get back into it. I wanted to get input and suggestions for my intended plans for the tanks; I'd like to use one tank as a species breeding tank and the other as a growout tank. I'm in an area where there's no lfs at all, just big box stores, and the nearest one is 30 minutes away. So I could probably sell at least some of the fish I breed to local fishkeepers and university students, especially with the connections I have as a marine science/aquaculture major.
First of all, what species should I breed? I've been tossing around ideas like BN plecos, rams, apistos, kribs, shelldwellers and cories. The problem is the water around here is pretty hard and basic, which lends itself well to kribs and shellies but not to the other species. Does anyone have any other ideas or suggestions? I'm just not sure it's worth the fuss to adust the water, especially if I want to sell fish to people in the area who might not bother.
Next is the issue of substrate. I used to be a firm believer in using pea gravel, but lately I've been hearing it can be harmful and abrassive. But I recall reading, at least in a lot of initial aquarium research, that sand is no good in aquariums; that it tends to accumulate waste and is difficult to clean. I'd rather not go barebottom as I don't have the option of a seperate display tank. What do you all prefer for substrate?
I appreciate any thoughts and expertise, and I hope to continue to be a part of the community as I come back into the hobby!
First of all, what species should I breed? I've been tossing around ideas like BN plecos, rams, apistos, kribs, shelldwellers and cories. The problem is the water around here is pretty hard and basic, which lends itself well to kribs and shellies but not to the other species. Does anyone have any other ideas or suggestions? I'm just not sure it's worth the fuss to adust the water, especially if I want to sell fish to people in the area who might not bother.
Next is the issue of substrate. I used to be a firm believer in using pea gravel, but lately I've been hearing it can be harmful and abrassive. But I recall reading, at least in a lot of initial aquarium research, that sand is no good in aquariums; that it tends to accumulate waste and is difficult to clean. I'd rather not go barebottom as I don't have the option of a seperate display tank. What do you all prefer for substrate?
I appreciate any thoughts and expertise, and I hope to continue to be a part of the community as I come back into the hobby!
