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.
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.
Two sides down, two to go. This is with nothing but a razor blade and some cramping fingers.
A razor blade, lots of elbow grease, and one hour later. The lime/calcium build up has all been scraped off.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Two sides down, two to go. This is with nothing but a razor blade and some cramping fingers.
A razor blade, lots of elbow grease, and one hour later. The lime/calcium build up has all been scraped off.
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.
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!