Aquarium for my dad - Aquarium Advice

Japola44 · 02-12-2006, 10:43 PM

My dad takes me to petsmart to pick up frozen bloodworms a lot, and every time he wonders over to the tinfoil barbs, pictus catfish, and bala sharks. He points at them and ask for me to put one in my tank. Time after time i have to say no, and explain how the 1inch per gallon rule only applies to community tanks, and how my bichirs are going to soon be the only fish in my 55gal. So, i offered to my dad that i would take care of his own aquarium were he could put whatever fish in there he wants.
My dad really likes bala's, tinfoils and pictus catfish.
I read tinfoils are schooling fish, but would one be fine alone or just in a pair?
also, how big of an aquarium could fit those three fish. I would like to get him one for his birthday (in april). Then help him cycle it and pick out fish ect. ect.
If the aquarium would have to be more than say 70gals then it probably wouldnt work out. I was thinking he would really like oscars, or perhaps even a pirana (as far as i know they are legal in colorado, because i have seen them at the lfs). Not trying to make my dad sound like a mad man, but i'm sure he would enjoy watching live feedings.
To quote my father, "I want a fish that can hold his own."
What kind of aquarium and fish would you suggest?

Lonewolfblue · 02-12-2006, 11:19 PM

Question is, how much $ is too much?

75G, 3 bala sharks, 5 tinfoil barbs, a pictus cat, and a rainbow shark. Probably should go for a pleco as well. Would make an interesting tank. Use lots of driftwood too.

Japola44 · 02-13-2006, 12:10 AM

Seeing as i have a job and, im only 15. I have no were to spend the money. By april i can probably save up enough moeny to get the 75gal tank and stand. I can get driftwood from a creek near by where i keep my horse. I probably wouldn't have to pay for the fish. Unless i got the tank or stand used I'd have to figure out a way to get the filter

tropicfishman · 02-13-2006, 12:13 AM

defintly get him a pleco, they can defintly hold there own lol I think thats an awesome gift for your dad by the way

Japola44 · 02-13-2006, 12:30 AM

If i got a pleco i want something that would be pretty impressive looking not just a normal one any suggestions?

Lonewolfblue · 02-13-2006, 12:41 AM

Here's what I want...

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...fm?pCatId=1879

Andos99 · 02-13-2006, 12:55 AM

IMO....75 gal for 3 balas, 5 tins, and a pictus is too small. I would say 125 min. once they start to mature.

Japola44 · 02-13-2006, 01:16 AM

what could i keep in a 75gal? Could i keep a pictus in there with some other fish?

02-12-2006, 10:43 PM	#1
Japola44 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 491 Images: 12	Aquarium for my dad My dad takes me to petsmart to pick up frozen bloodworms a lot, and every time he wonders over to the tinfoil barbs, pictus catfish, and bala sharks. He points at them and ask for me to put one in my tank. Time after time i have to say no, and explain how the 1inch per gallon rule only applies to community tanks, and how my bichirs are going to soon be the only fish in my 55gal. So, i offered to my dad that i would take care of his own aquarium were he could put whatever fish in there he wants. My dad really likes bala's, tinfoils and pictus catfish. I read tinfoils are schooling fish, but would one be fine alone or just in a pair? also, how big of an aquarium could fit those three fish. I would like to get him one for his birthday (in april). Then help him cycle it and pick out fish ect. ect. If the aquarium would have to be more than say 70gals then it probably wouldnt work out. I was thinking he would really like oscars, or perhaps even a pirana (as far as i know they are legal in colorado, because i have seen them at the lfs). Not trying to make my dad sound like a mad man, but i'm sure he would enjoy watching live feedings. To quote my father, "I want a fish that can hold his own." What kind of aquarium and fish would you suggest? __________________ -Julia "it is impossible to convey the life-sensation of any given epoch of one's existence--that which makes its truth, its meaning--its subtle and penetrating essence. It is impossible. We live, as we dream--alone..." The Heart of Darkness

02-12-2006, 11:19 PM	#2
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,871 Images: 7	Question is, how much $ is too much? 75G, 3 bala sharks, 5 tinfoil barbs, a pictus cat, and a rainbow shark. Probably should go for a pleco as well. Would make an interesting tank. Use lots of driftwood too. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

02-13-2006, 12:10 AM	#3
Japola44 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 491 Images: 12	Seeing as i have a job and, im only 15. I have no were to spend the money. By april i can probably save up enough moeny to get the 75gal tank and stand. I can get driftwood from a creek near by where i keep my horse. I probably wouldn't have to pay for the fish. Unless i got the tank or stand used I'd have to figure out a way to get the filter __________________ -Julia "it is impossible to convey the life-sensation of any given epoch of one's existence--that which makes its truth, its meaning--its subtle and penetrating essence. It is impossible. We live, as we dream--alone..." The Heart of Darkness

02-13-2006, 12:13 AM	#4
tropicfishman Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ashland KY Posts: 1,890	defintly get him a pleco, they can defintly hold there own lol I think thats an awesome gift for your dad by the way __________________ I love my clown loaches and red tail shark!!! lol

02-13-2006, 12:30 AM	#5
Japola44 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 491 Images: 12	If i got a pleco i want something that would be pretty impressive looking not just a normal one any suggestions? __________________ -Julia "it is impossible to convey the life-sensation of any given epoch of one's existence--that which makes its truth, its meaning--its subtle and penetrating essence. It is impossible. We live, as we dream--alone..." The Heart of Darkness

02-13-2006, 12:41 AM	#6
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,871 Images: 7	Here's what I want... http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...fm?pCatId=1879 __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

02-13-2006, 12:55 AM	#7
Andos99 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 783 Images: 3	IMO....75 gal for 3 balas, 5 tins, and a pictus is too small. I would say 125 min. once they start to mature. __________________ If you don't have time to do it right the first time, when are you going to have time to do it over.

02-13-2006, 01:16 AM	#8
Japola44 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 491 Images: 12	what could i keep in a 75gal? Could i keep a pictus in there with some other fish? __________________ -Julia "it is impossible to convey the life-sensation of any given epoch of one's existence--that which makes its truth, its meaning--its subtle and penetrating essence. It is impossible. We live, as we dream--alone..." The Heart of Darkness

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