setting up a new large tank

[Lupin]

My eventually, one day, over time, when all is cycled, bit by bit, stocking plans are:

A couple African Butterflies
some harlequin rasboras and/or glowlight tetras
A couple Honey gouramis
A couple Pearl Gouramis
4-6 Angels
1 black ghost knife
A pair of Blue or Gold Rams
A pair of Kribensis
A male Apistogramma with 2-3 females
2-3 Kuhli loaches
A couple of cory fish
one of the fancy pleco varieties that don't get too big
maybe a red finned shark
maybe some dwarf rainbows.

All these for one tank? I can see lots of flaws with the combo.

 

[chilligirl]

I'm in Canada, and we have Big Al's here, although it's over an hour away from me. That's where I bought my tank, stand, lid, light, the Penguin filter, and some decorations. Their Rena filters were actually more than at my LFS - for a Rena XP3 at Big Al's here in Canada, it was, if I remember right, $270. That's pretty typical for Canada. Everything here costs us Canucks more, and if we have the store/chain here, we cannot buy from the states - they just redirect us. It's frustrating at the best of times, but even more so right now, considering where the Canadian dollar is at! But I digress...

All these for one tank? I can see lots of flaws with the combo.

Lupin, can you be more specific?

Stand is FINALLY built, with the tank on top, and in the right spot in the room. I was soooo frustrated with the stand. It came with really poor instructions, and none of the pieces were labelled. So of course I get to being almost done and discover I've confused the top and bottom - ugh. But, I got it all straightened out, and the tank looks awesome in the room. Can't wait to fill it and landscape it!

 

[ansbfish]

Wow that is terrible.

Would be a steal if you could order from the USA site.

 

[Lupin]

Lupin, can you be more specific?

I mean are you planning to put all these fish you listed in one tank?

 

[chilligirl]

I mean are you planning to put all these fish you listed in one tank?

Yes, not all at once though - this would be over the next year or two. It's a 90 Gallon tank. With the exception of the Angels, the ghost knife, and the shark, all the fish stay small (under 4"). The only one that gets really big is the knife. I wouldn't keep it once it got too big - I'd trade it back to the lfs for another small one. I really like the knife fish, but I'm not able to house a fish that gets to be two feet long! I don't think many folk have a tank that can comfortably accomodate a fish of that size. However, I'd hope that it would grow slowly enough that I could enjoy it for a few years...

They all can do well in a tank that is 79 degrees and neutral pH. They all do well with a sand or fine gravel substrate in a dark color. That list balances out fish in the different stratas, so that they're not competing for territory. They all have similar landscaping requirements, or, at least, not conflicting ones.

Are you thinking this is too many fish for the tank, or are you seeing a problem in a combo between certain species? I have experience with all of these species from working in the lfs, but have only had myself, in my own tanks, from that list, the rams, kribs, apistos, pleco, and cory.

 

[Lupin]

Are you thinking this is too many fish for the tank, or are you seeing a problem in a combo between certain species? I have experience with all of these species from working in the lfs, but have only had myself, in my own tanks, from that list, the rams, kribs, apistos, pleco, and cory.

A lot of fish are incompatible in my opinion. BGK for instance will eat up a lot of fish that grow 3 inches and under, mostly the tetras and rasboras. The African butterflies can easily consume both rasboras and tetras. A pair of kribs is asking for trouble. Once they spawn, they will very likely rip through all their tankmates trimming down their fins and inflicting injuries in their attempt to defend their fry and territory.

I would be wary about mixing the red-finned black shark with loaches, cories and plecs. These are aggressive and are far more troublesome once they reach maturity. Your other bottom dwellers will certainly not appreciate it.

You'll need more cories and loaches, not just a couple or three. While 3 is the minimum number, they do best when kept in 6 or more.

 

[chilligirl]

thanks for the feedback. All the problems you're bringing up are with fish I haven't kept personally - I made that list based on what I could find online...I far prefer info from people who've had direct personal experience with the fish though.

The kribs I've found aren't a problem if they've got enough space and hidey-holes. In the dwarf cichlid tank I had, I had a pair who did very well, and it was only a 20 Gallon tank. They defended their cave, but weren't a problem. I had them with a couple of blue rams, and a trio of apistogrammas. I also had a chinese algae eater in there. I didn't have any fighting in the tank. Maybe I got lucky? However, Kribensis are, beyond a doubt, my absolute favourite fish, and the one fish I've got my heart set on having in the tank...

So, it seems I would need to scrap the BGK, which is really more ethical anyway, since I know it will get bigger than I want (but geez, they're so neat looking!). Then I'd need to decide whether I wanted butterflies or the smaller rasboras and tetras. Then I'd need to decide whether I wanted the shark, or the loaches and cories...

Good thing I've got lots of time to make up my mind!

Can anyone suggest an alternative to the loaches? The reason I'm thinking loaches is because they burrow, and that's good for the substrate. And I know most people like them to look at, and I figure my hubby and kiddo will think they look cool. I KNOW people love loaches, but honestly, for some reason, they totally freak me out. I'm phobic of bugs, which for me includes worms, so maybe it's that? but if I accidentally touch a loach when I'm working in a tank, I can't help myself, I do a little panicky shrieky dance - I'm such a dork lol. The reason I said Kuhli loaches is because they're the least freaky to me, but really, it would be better if it wasn't a loach at all...

 

[Lupin]

I also had a chinese algae eater in there. I didn't have any fighting in the tank.

How big is the CAE now? It's a slow grower. I had them before and these have very nasty temperament the moment I grew them to 5 inches. I would never put them in a community tank.

Did your kribs spawn? This is the only time they'll spell real trouble.

Can anyone suggest an alternative to the loaches? The reason I'm thinking loaches is because they burrow, and that's good for the substrate.

Pangios burrow however they'll fail it when your substrate is coarse gravel. Most botiine loaches do not burrow but try to dig looking for foods.

I'm phobic of bugs, which for me includes worms, so maybe it's that?

The Pangios are not like worms at all except their body shape. They're really fun to watch.

The reason I said Kuhli loaches is because they're the least freaky to me, but really, it would be better if it wasn't a loach at all...

I enjoy watching loaches a lot. They are far too active, feisty and entertaining.

 

[chilligirl]

I don't have the CAE anymore - the tank he was in was years ago, when I worked at a lfs. When I finished college and moved, I moved my tank into the store as a display tank. The CAE was quite small, only about 2" long. They can get quite aggressive when they're bigger, sucking scales off other fish.

My kribs spawned, but no fry. Their eggs disappeared overnight - I suspected the CAE.

And I don't want to put a CAE in my new tank.

Maybe I need to clarify: This is a brand spankin' new 90 Gallon tank. Substrate is coarse sand or fine gravel (haven't bought it yet). There are no fish in previous tanks needing to go in - I'm stocking from scratch. My goal is not a community tank, but rather a mild/mod aggressive tank, with a wide variety of species. I want fish in all three water levels, that complement eachother. Tank will be heavily landscaped, with a wide open swim area and a strip of open substrate in the front.

 

[galen]

I don't have the CAE anymore - the tank he was in was years ago, when I worked at a lfs. When I finished college and moved, I moved my tank into the store as a display tank. The CAE was quite small, only about 2" long. They can get quite aggressive when they're bigger, sucking scales off other fish.

My kribs spawned, but no fry. Their eggs disappeared overnight - I suspected the CAE.

And I don't want to put a CAE in my new tank.

Maybe I need to clarify: This is a brand spankin' new 90 Gallon tank. Substrate is coarse sand or fine gravel (haven't bought it yet). There are no fish in previous tanks needing to go in - I'm stocking from scratch. My goal is not a community tank, but rather a mild/mod aggressive tank, with a wide variety of species. I want fish in all three water levels, that complement eachother. Tank will be heavily landscaped, with a wide open swim area and a strip of open substrate in the front.

i think ur on a good track already. the stocking you suggested is ambitious. however, there are lots of combinations available. overall with a few exceptions here and there, i have found these 3 sites to be invaluable
in planning equipment, stocking, and potential problems.

http://www.aquariumconnection.com/freshsol/fw_solnindex.html
http://www.elmersaquarium.com/h701elmers_freshwater_handbook.htm
http://www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Misc How to Start a Successful Aquarium.htm

those 2 sites recommend equipment and such. most of the time the items you buy at the lfs or online (big als, petsolutions.com) have no track record to refer back to and say, is this a good product? anyway, thise link provies lots of reviews on all sorts of aquarium related equipment:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/reviews/category_display.php

finally, with such a large aquarium, placement inside your home may be an issue. this link provides lots of information that can ultimately save you much heartache and potential trouble down the road:

http://www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Misc How to Start a Successful Aquarium.htm

lots of reading, i know. but, by the time you will be done, you will be more than ready to address any issue with your aquarium. hope this helps.