BTW, at 8.0 out of the tap you're limited severely in stocking options unless you want to alter water chemistry ( hasn't worked well for me ), or buy/ make water. I'd stick to Africans or as Coler suggested... Puffers.
20 Long Tang Tank
- Thread starter blue2fyre
- Start date
I figure I have rift lake water practically pouring out of the tap I might as well take advantage of it 
But most fish you see around here at the lfs and from breeders are kept in our high PH hard water. I don't think it would be a problem keeping softer water species, it just wouldn't be very natural.
I'm still on the fence about what to do so here's my plan.
Go ahead set up the 20 Long
Plant and aquascape
Let plants settle in for about a month
Then decide on stocking.
Who knows what might be at the LFS or on the forums by then. I have a lot of Tang breeders near me so I wouldn't be surprised to see some of those dwarf calvus pop up.
But most fish you see around here at the lfs and from breeders are kept in our high PH hard water. I don't think it would be a problem keeping softer water species, it just wouldn't be very natural.
I'm still on the fence about what to do so here's my plan.
Go ahead set up the 20 Long
Plant and aquascape
Let plants settle in for about a month
Then decide on stocking.
Who knows what might be at the LFS or on the forums by then. I have a lot of Tang breeders near me so I wouldn't be surprised to see some of those dwarf calvus pop up.
I know you said you were not a fan of shellies but occies would more than make up for their size in spunk. Theres also quite a few different color varieties out there.
They're not cichlids, but what about some of the smaller species of rainbowfish, like threadfins?
I second that motion! gold occies are among my very favorite of all fishes period!
Thanks
I'll look into those.
Ok so I guess I will explain my deal with shellies. If the tank was a 10 gallon I would be all for shellies. They seem to be interesting and have nice personalities. For a 20 long I just feel like they would get lost in the tank since they are so little. I was hoping to look into some tangs that are a bit larger so I can sit from the other side of the room and still watch them.
What about a pair of Neolamprologus pulcher? Someone near me is selling these guys. They look cool, the profile says they do well in planted tanks and they seem to have interesting parenting behavior.
I'll look into those.
Ok so I guess I will explain my deal with shellies. If the tank was a 10 gallon I would be all for shellies. They seem to be interesting and have nice personalities. For a 20 long I just feel like they would get lost in the tank since they are so little. I was hoping to look into some tangs that are a bit larger so I can sit from the other side of the room and still watch them.
What about a pair of Neolamprologus pulcher? Someone near me is selling these guys. They look cool, the profile says they do well in planted tanks and they seem to have interesting parenting behavior.
for what it's worth, I have occies in a 55! now, they are in there with some comps, calvus and cyps... but nonetheless, I actually find them to still be the funnest things to watch go about their daily business in the tank than anyone else! And belive me... I love my calvus and comps! LOL...
" Lamprologus ocellatus" :thm:
Pulchers ( and Brichardi, same fish ), or Daffodils would work as a pair, but don't expect to keep anything with them and you'll eventually have a twice a month spawn to deal with. A dedicated 40 would be a better fit. I would rule them out. Kribs are always a great fish, and would do well in your water.
You say you want to go planted, why not start with a neutral based substrate ( eco complete, peat, soil ), see where your parameters go, and take it from there? My params are similar to yours, but using a peat substrate and every other day water changes keeps the pH at or about 7.0.
Pulchers ( and Brichardi, same fish ), or Daffodils would work as a pair, but don't expect to keep anything with them and you'll eventually have a twice a month spawn to deal with. A dedicated 40 would be a better fit. I would rule them out. Kribs are always a great fish, and would do well in your water.
You say you want to go planted, why not start with a neutral based substrate ( eco complete, peat, soil ), see where your parameters go, and take it from there? My params are similar to yours, but using a peat substrate and every other day water changes keeps the pH at or about 7.0.
