digcolnagos
Aquarium Advice Newbie
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2010
- Messages
- 7
Trying to figure out what fish to get. First, the basics:
Dimensions:
48" long
18" wide
21" high
Filtration:
Marineland Emperor Biowheel 400
Substrate:
Gravel
It's been cycling for three days now with a half-dozen swordtails. We're thinking community tank, but, if need be, we can transfer the 'tails to our 20-gallon tank, which has room, and go the cichlid route. We have a few weeks to decide. I've done a bit of research, enough, I suspect, to be dangerous. Questions and initial thoughts.
1. We put the latest used filter from our 20-gallon into the reservoir of the bigger tank in hopes of cutting down the cycle time. We're also planning to do 20-percent water changes in the smaller tank every four days or so and putting that into the bigger tank. Will this work, or is this method of shortening the cycle an old wive's tale?
2. Bubblers. My wife likes them, I'm ambivalent. We have a couple now. Will they reduce our options as to species? Do they serve a useful purpose vis-a-vis increasing oxygen or anything else?
3. Ah, the biggest, and funnest, question: What fish to get. I'd like to start with clown loaches but have heard disparate views on this regarding tank size. The LFS assures us that our 75 is big enough; I've read that 125 is a better minimum. If 75 is big enough, big enough for how many? I've read that a minimum of four is best. If we go with clown loaches, would they be compatible with a blood red parrot cichlid, which I understand favors the mid level of the tank, with the CL's favoring the bottom. I am familiar with controversy surrounding the blood red parrot, but saw some today and thought they were beautiful. Lastly, if I go CL and a blood red parrot and the swordtails (banking that the swordtails will grow fast enough to not become fish food), would a red-tail shark work with that mix? Finally, we're also planning on some albino catfish to help keep things clean. So, to sum up, my initial thoughts are:
1. Clown loaches (four)
2. Blood red parrot cichlid (one)
3. Red-tail shark (one)
4. Swordtails (six)
5. Albino catfish (three or so)
This said, we're completely open, but we do favor having a variety of species. Any thoughts/inspirations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, especially for patience in dealing with questions that have likely been asked a bazillion times.
Dimensions:
48" long
18" wide
21" high
Filtration:
Marineland Emperor Biowheel 400
Substrate:
Gravel
It's been cycling for three days now with a half-dozen swordtails. We're thinking community tank, but, if need be, we can transfer the 'tails to our 20-gallon tank, which has room, and go the cichlid route. We have a few weeks to decide. I've done a bit of research, enough, I suspect, to be dangerous. Questions and initial thoughts.
1. We put the latest used filter from our 20-gallon into the reservoir of the bigger tank in hopes of cutting down the cycle time. We're also planning to do 20-percent water changes in the smaller tank every four days or so and putting that into the bigger tank. Will this work, or is this method of shortening the cycle an old wive's tale?
2. Bubblers. My wife likes them, I'm ambivalent. We have a couple now. Will they reduce our options as to species? Do they serve a useful purpose vis-a-vis increasing oxygen or anything else?
3. Ah, the biggest, and funnest, question: What fish to get. I'd like to start with clown loaches but have heard disparate views on this regarding tank size. The LFS assures us that our 75 is big enough; I've read that 125 is a better minimum. If 75 is big enough, big enough for how many? I've read that a minimum of four is best. If we go with clown loaches, would they be compatible with a blood red parrot cichlid, which I understand favors the mid level of the tank, with the CL's favoring the bottom. I am familiar with controversy surrounding the blood red parrot, but saw some today and thought they were beautiful. Lastly, if I go CL and a blood red parrot and the swordtails (banking that the swordtails will grow fast enough to not become fish food), would a red-tail shark work with that mix? Finally, we're also planning on some albino catfish to help keep things clean. So, to sum up, my initial thoughts are:
1. Clown loaches (four)
2. Blood red parrot cichlid (one)
3. Red-tail shark (one)
4. Swordtails (six)
5. Albino catfish (three or so)
This said, we're completely open, but we do favor having a variety of species. Any thoughts/inspirations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, especially for patience in dealing with questions that have likely been asked a bazillion times.
Last edited:
Any new ideas on what fish you might go with?
