Planning Ahead - Freshwater Corner Tank

Zbbal

Zbbal

AC Members
Jul 9, 2009
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Sevierville, TN
This summer my dad and I are planning on getting our own place. -We currently are living with my Uncle.- My dad loves looking around at the LFS, and found his favorite setup--four 54 gallon corner tanks all put back to back. They create the illusion of one giant circular tank, with the convenience of being separate. Doing four corner tanks might be overdoing it in a home setting, though. So I decided that two corner tanks against the wall, back to back, would look nice. That way he could have a semi-circle. Anywho, I know he loves both saltwater and freshwater, so I'm thinking about making one salt and one fresh. This thread is for the freshwater. Here's the saltwater thread. http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2259251#post2259251

Now the thing I need help with is the size. My dads a big fan of cichlids, especially of super veil angelfish and discus. He also seems to like common plecos. I realize that the largest -slightly more common- corner tank is 92 gallons. That pretty much eliminates the pleco and discus. So suggestions for tank size and fish stock would be nice. The bigger the tank the better, because the other tank will have to be the same size and it'll be saltwater.

A recommendation on a nice filter would be appreciated. I've never worked with a tank over 35 gallons, so the biggest filter I've used was an AquaClear50. Help with all other equipment would be nice.

Thanks.
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Yeah, I figured I was working my way toward canisters with such large tanks. The Mag 350 puts out more that the C-220 if I remember correctly.
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Do some research. Before you make any decisions you need to learn why you are making the decisions you make. There is a really good book you should read, "The New Marine Aquarium". It explains most everything in plain lamens terms. It'll answer most of your questions. It does not advertise which brand are better but it explains the difference between protein skimmers and regular filter. And much more info that is a necessity in keeping a marine aquarium.
 
I have a Rena XP2 and it's great. There are so many ways you can mix and match pieces for the output that it turns into a lot of fun. For you, I'd get a Rena XP3. I think there's an XP4 but not sure. Also, you can get a different type of CAnister but get something that's rated more than you tank. It's easier to control the flow to to mod it and give a tank more flow. With a 92, it would be more important if you can get two filters for the freshwater tanks.

It think it would work out for the long run to have two 92 gallon tanks instead of the 54. It just gives you more to work with for the marine tank and would give you so much space to keep discus, which you dad wants. I think it would really help if you get what you're dad and you are interested it, that way, your Dad is much more involved. You should give him lessons!! LOL.

When you say common plecos, are you talking about the bigger species? I'd recommend you steer off bigger species and stay with the small counterparts such as Leopard Frog Pleco (not an algae eater) and the Bristlenose. Keeping discus with heavy waste producers such as common plecos would just increase the bioload.

As for other fish, it's easier to figure out onces most of the plans has been made with equipment and all that. Also, are you gonna keep a planted tank? Getting CO2 and good lights would be the most beneficial to the tank.
 
SumTinsFishy said:
Do some research. Before you make any decisions you need to learn why you are making the decisions you make. There is a really good book you should read, "The New Marine Aquarium". It explains most everything in plain lamens terms. It'll answer most of your questions. It does not advertise which brand are better but it explains the difference between protein skimmers and regular filter. And much more info that is a necessity in keeping a marine aquarium.
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Gotcha.
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I have some links for larger fish
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=830+831
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=830+889
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=830+879
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=830+1984
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=830+1163
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=830+888
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=830+882
And for other freshwater fish go here
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=830


In my opinion a large school of neon tetras with a centerpiece fish like a rainbow fish would be a nice tank. I would then plan around the school and centerpiece fish.
 
In my opinion a large school of neon tetras with a centerpiece fish like a rainbow fish would be a nice tank. I would then plan around the school and centerpiece fish.
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Rainbowfish need to be in schools.

In such a big tank, I'd recommend an Amazon Biotope tank.
 
Thanks for all the recommendations. I'm starting to get a list together. This is going to be an expensive project, but one that'll be very rewarding.

I was wondering if this could become an African Cichlid tank or American & New World Cichlid tank? Discus don't seem reasonable, and the plecos that I like get very big. My dad's a fan of all cichlids, so I'm sure he'd love Africans or American & New Worlds. I know he likes angelfish...but I'm not really a fan. -I just know someone's going to hate me for saying that.-

As for a school of small tetras or such, he and I like that idea, but don't really want them in this particular tank. Thinking about a nice 50 or 75 devoted to neons or cardinals.
 
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