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Aquarium Advice Freak
Hi Everyone! So,I picked up a 75 gallon from Craigslist for $35. Woot woot! Now, I've been on another thread decided what to do with it and have decided to go Tanganyikan!
Here is my tank - 75 Gallon. 48 L x 18W x 22H.
So far, I have nothing.
Plans. I did order a filter on Amazon. I got a Rena XP2. I wanted a Canister because they seem to keep the water cleaner for size - from my experience so far. I read the Renas were good. I got it from the Amazon return warehouse in Like New Condition for $48, which I thought was a steal. I think there's more if anyone is looking.
I will have a snug fitted glass top. I ordered one for a 55 I have and it came broken. I kept all the pieces so plan on getting glass cut to fit the parts.
Heater - I am not sure if I should have one 250-300W heater or 2 150W heaters. Seems to be a debate about this. Does it really matter?
I will have LED lighting. I purchased one on eBay for my 55 and love it, so I will be getting the same thing. I will not have live plants, so lighting isn't going to matter for that aspect. I read blue marine lighting is nice in a Tanganyikan set-up article.
I also read to get a Wavemaker. I have notes that say "tunze" and "nano". I don't know what that means. LOL I've been reading a ton and takes notes. Is the wavemaker a necessity and do you recommend a certain brand? I actually got one pretty cheap for my other tank from a place close to me on ebay and had it here the next day, so actually would probably do the same thing, unless I need something specific.
I read in a Tanganyikan set-up article it is recommended to have a dark, sandy substrate. However, every tank I see online has a light substrate. I am actually liking the white substrate with the black background. Which do you think will make the colors pop more? Opinions? I was thinking about picking up white play sand from Home Depot. It's $4.97 here for a 40 lb. bag.
Design Plans:
I plan to stock a higher pile of rocks on one side of the tank. My open water stock wish list likes a high rocky ledge.
I plan to place shells on the other side of the tank.
I don't know if I want to slope from front to back or left to right with landscaping or leave flat. I don't know if want another rock pile somewhere - in the back, middle or other side. I am trying to keep rocks away from shells.
Right now thinking of white sand with black background. Maybe a fake plant or two just to break sight with shells? Not sure.
Stocking:
So, my dream stock is below. I think I may have a hard time finding some of these and/or affording some of these. I will keep a look out on forums, YouTube, stock lists from breeders, auction sites, etc. to see what I can find. If you know of an alternative to one of these that would be easy to find and affordable, that would be terrific! Also, please let me know what you think of the "dream" stocking list. I have been doing a ton of research day and night to get this far with the stocking list and trying to keep a more peaceful tank setting.
Top (open water): Cyprichromis Leptosoma Utinta. I read they like to be in groups of 12, but at least 8. I would go with the 8 if I have the room with 2 males and 6 females. Look to be about $12 a piece if you can find them. I would take young ones for sure. Others (Jumbo) seem more readily available. I have read about not keeping the Jumbos, but don't remember why - larger, temperament? I like the orchids and Mpimbwe. I am not opposed to stocking those if possible. Anyone know what the big difference from Utinta to Jumbo is besides some size? And where you can get some Utinta? Purple is my favorite color and they look so purplish, I love it. Alternatives? I read Ophthalmotilapia ventralis could be an alternative, but they hang at the bottom some. I really want a top swimmer here. I also read some people use rainbow fish, but that's getting away from the theme here. Someone did mention Pseudotropheus acei, same colors, but not sure of this? Suggestions?
Shell Dwellers: I read Neolamprologus Multifasciatus is the most peaceful and easy to breed. They are cute. But, I also really like Lamprologus Ocellatus. I love the colors. Can I mix them? 4 of each - 1 M with 3 Fs. I realize I may be buying these in a bulk lot of 6, 8, 10 and may not get my choice of numbers and sexes until later. Anyone have any experience with Ocellatus?
Sand Sifters: I am totally in love with Xenotilapia Ochrogenys Mazuri, but would settle for any Ochrogenys for sure. I like Ndole, too. These are best kept in 8-10 species.
I also like Enantiopus Melanogenis (Makola/Isanga) or I guess has been renamed to Xenotilapia Singularis. Read extremely peaceful fish. Beauty. I also read you can mix Enantiopus Melanogenis and Ochrogenys. I read an article where they share the same breeding grounds in the wild and actually ignore each other completely even on the breeding ground. Amazing.
I also very much like Xenotilapia Kilesa. I have not read anything about mixing all 3. Although I did read some research where it was suggested Kilesa may be a hybrid of Ochrogenys and Enantiopus Melanogenis because they all actually share a breeding ground together. Interesting.
I know I don't have a lot of footprint and with rocks and shells and their size, I will be limited. I would like to either ideally have 8 Ochrogenys. Or mix maybe the 4 and 4 of 1M/3F, if possible, of Ochrogenys and Enantiopus Melanogenis. Wish I could do all 3 and add Kilesa, but I know I need a M/F ratio and also need room for them. I may be getting what's available in the trade for purchase. I will hunt Ochrogenys!
That is all I have for stocking. I believe I will actually be full with that. If you think I have room for something else, please let me know. If you see any problems, please let me know. I think I left out all aggressive rockies. I have a top, shell, and sand.
I looked into Paracyprichromis Nigripinnis and they are beautiful, but unaffordable.
I thought about Julidochromis Transcriptus as it seems the smallest and more mild tempered of the rock dwellers, but I think it might scare the xenotilapia?? Plus, don't really know about my stocking level - it may be full with this.
Sorry, for such a long post, but wanted to get it all laid out and overcome any obstacles now. Thanks for any advice, suggestions, opinions.
Here is my tank - 75 Gallon. 48 L x 18W x 22H.
So far, I have nothing.
Plans. I did order a filter on Amazon. I got a Rena XP2. I wanted a Canister because they seem to keep the water cleaner for size - from my experience so far. I read the Renas were good. I got it from the Amazon return warehouse in Like New Condition for $48, which I thought was a steal. I think there's more if anyone is looking.
I will have a snug fitted glass top. I ordered one for a 55 I have and it came broken. I kept all the pieces so plan on getting glass cut to fit the parts.
Heater - I am not sure if I should have one 250-300W heater or 2 150W heaters. Seems to be a debate about this. Does it really matter?
I will have LED lighting. I purchased one on eBay for my 55 and love it, so I will be getting the same thing. I will not have live plants, so lighting isn't going to matter for that aspect. I read blue marine lighting is nice in a Tanganyikan set-up article.
I also read to get a Wavemaker. I have notes that say "tunze" and "nano". I don't know what that means. LOL I've been reading a ton and takes notes. Is the wavemaker a necessity and do you recommend a certain brand? I actually got one pretty cheap for my other tank from a place close to me on ebay and had it here the next day, so actually would probably do the same thing, unless I need something specific.
I read in a Tanganyikan set-up article it is recommended to have a dark, sandy substrate. However, every tank I see online has a light substrate. I am actually liking the white substrate with the black background. Which do you think will make the colors pop more? Opinions? I was thinking about picking up white play sand from Home Depot. It's $4.97 here for a 40 lb. bag.
Design Plans:
I plan to stock a higher pile of rocks on one side of the tank. My open water stock wish list likes a high rocky ledge.
I plan to place shells on the other side of the tank.
I don't know if I want to slope from front to back or left to right with landscaping or leave flat. I don't know if want another rock pile somewhere - in the back, middle or other side. I am trying to keep rocks away from shells.
Right now thinking of white sand with black background. Maybe a fake plant or two just to break sight with shells? Not sure.
Stocking:
So, my dream stock is below. I think I may have a hard time finding some of these and/or affording some of these. I will keep a look out on forums, YouTube, stock lists from breeders, auction sites, etc. to see what I can find. If you know of an alternative to one of these that would be easy to find and affordable, that would be terrific! Also, please let me know what you think of the "dream" stocking list. I have been doing a ton of research day and night to get this far with the stocking list and trying to keep a more peaceful tank setting.
Top (open water): Cyprichromis Leptosoma Utinta. I read they like to be in groups of 12, but at least 8. I would go with the 8 if I have the room with 2 males and 6 females. Look to be about $12 a piece if you can find them. I would take young ones for sure. Others (Jumbo) seem more readily available. I have read about not keeping the Jumbos, but don't remember why - larger, temperament? I like the orchids and Mpimbwe. I am not opposed to stocking those if possible. Anyone know what the big difference from Utinta to Jumbo is besides some size? And where you can get some Utinta? Purple is my favorite color and they look so purplish, I love it. Alternatives? I read Ophthalmotilapia ventralis could be an alternative, but they hang at the bottom some. I really want a top swimmer here. I also read some people use rainbow fish, but that's getting away from the theme here. Someone did mention Pseudotropheus acei, same colors, but not sure of this? Suggestions?
Shell Dwellers: I read Neolamprologus Multifasciatus is the most peaceful and easy to breed. They are cute. But, I also really like Lamprologus Ocellatus. I love the colors. Can I mix them? 4 of each - 1 M with 3 Fs. I realize I may be buying these in a bulk lot of 6, 8, 10 and may not get my choice of numbers and sexes until later. Anyone have any experience with Ocellatus?
Sand Sifters: I am totally in love with Xenotilapia Ochrogenys Mazuri, but would settle for any Ochrogenys for sure. I like Ndole, too. These are best kept in 8-10 species.
I also like Enantiopus Melanogenis (Makola/Isanga) or I guess has been renamed to Xenotilapia Singularis. Read extremely peaceful fish. Beauty. I also read you can mix Enantiopus Melanogenis and Ochrogenys. I read an article where they share the same breeding grounds in the wild and actually ignore each other completely even on the breeding ground. Amazing.
I also very much like Xenotilapia Kilesa. I have not read anything about mixing all 3. Although I did read some research where it was suggested Kilesa may be a hybrid of Ochrogenys and Enantiopus Melanogenis because they all actually share a breeding ground together. Interesting.
I know I don't have a lot of footprint and with rocks and shells and their size, I will be limited. I would like to either ideally have 8 Ochrogenys. Or mix maybe the 4 and 4 of 1M/3F, if possible, of Ochrogenys and Enantiopus Melanogenis. Wish I could do all 3 and add Kilesa, but I know I need a M/F ratio and also need room for them. I may be getting what's available in the trade for purchase. I will hunt Ochrogenys!
That is all I have for stocking. I believe I will actually be full with that. If you think I have room for something else, please let me know. If you see any problems, please let me know. I think I left out all aggressive rockies. I have a top, shell, and sand.
I looked into Paracyprichromis Nigripinnis and they are beautiful, but unaffordable.
I thought about Julidochromis Transcriptus as it seems the smallest and more mild tempered of the rock dwellers, but I think it might scare the xenotilapia?? Plus, don't really know about my stocking level - it may be full with this.
Sorry, for such a long post, but wanted to get it all laid out and overcome any obstacles now. Thanks for any advice, suggestions, opinions.