Looking for some advice

[Mikejr20]

I just switched from a 29 gal rectangle tank to a 35 gal hexagon tank and I think it looks too plain. So any and all ideas on how to spice it up or make it look more like it would in a canal or lake would be greatly appreciated.

I have
2 yellow eared slider turtles
1 large pleco
1 rainbow shark
2 crayfish
1 bala shark
1 other type of shark that looks like a catfish
1 a weird bug eyed catfish

 

[Tcal01]

I just switched from a 29 gal rectangle tank to a 35 gal hexagon tank and I think it looks too plain. So any and all ideas on how to spice it up or make it look more like it would in a canal or lake would be greatly appreciated.

I have
2 yellow eared slider turtles
1 large pleco
1 rainbow shark
2 crayfish
1 bala shark
1 other type of shark that looks like a catfish
1 a weird bug eyed catfish

IM sorry my friend but you are hopelessly over stocked. Most all of your fish will need 55g tanks or more eventually. I have never had turtles but don't they need a basking area above the water? You could ask more about this in the amphibian care section of AA.

 

[davy 1983]

would be easier with a rectangle tank imo, anything u try would cut out alot of swimming space, which ur bala shark will need.

 

[Bearchumjs]

I just switched from a 29 gal rectangle tank to a 35 gal hexagon tank and I think it looks too plain. So any and all ideas on how to spice it up or make it look more like it would in a canal or lake would be greatly appreciated.

I have
2 yellow eared slider turtles
1 large pleco
1 rainbow shark
2 crayfish
1 bala shark
1 other type of shark that looks like a catfish
1 a weird bug eyed catfish

I agree about the over stocking. Here is info just on the bala shark: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+888+1177&pcatid=1177

You may want to do some research on the fish and turtles you have and decide what would be best for them. Maybe get a bigger tank or rehome your fish that will grow too large and get fish that will do well in your size tank. There's alot of choices of fish for a tank your size.

Driftwood and plants would make it look more natural. Best of luck to you!

 

[Mikejr20]

IM sorry my friend but you are hopelessly over stocked. Most all of your fish will need 55g tanks or more eventually. I have never had turtles but don't they need a basking area above the water? You could ask more about this in the amphibian care section of AA.

Im planning on upgrading to a bigger tank somewhere between 50 and 75 gal. This is just temporary until I find one with a nice stand and hood or just a hood. I'm new to the aquarium world so do I have a good assortment of fish? And yea the turtles are suppose to have a basking area but I havent came up with a way for them to have that in a fish tank. So I usually just let them sit outside for an hour or so a day. I haven't decided if I wanna go with sand or stay with the pebble bottom. Also what other kinds of fish can I introduce into my tank? I'm tired of the same old pet store fish supply, are there any good sites I can buy fish tank decorations and neat or oddball fish. I do like having fish that many people don't have and are different from the everyday fish.

 

[Nomadu571]

Your turtles will need a 40-60 gallon each to grow properly. You also need specialist equipment to keep them healthy long term such as a UVB light, and yes a basking area also. A hex tank is really a bad shape for turtle as they require swimming room. A shallower longer tank would be more appropriate. I think you should do some serious research and start buying the things you need. sorry to be so harsh but the turts are the ones that are going to suffer.

Edit; you posted same time I did, glad to hear your upgrading. They really need a basking area, zoomed do floating docks which would fit in there plus a basking light and UVB. They shouldn't have a lid and you should keep condensation in the tank to a minimum.

 

[Nomadu571]

Also sorry turtles use a basking Area to regulate their body temp as they cannot do this by sweating, this means they need access to it all the time incase they get cold, so a once a day in the garden is only really providing a small percentage of the UVA and uvb they need, UVA helps them maintain appetite and the UVB helps them metabolise calcium and helps maintain bone structure and shell, and not much else.

 

[Mikejr20]

I tried a floating basking area but the turtles didn't use it at all do that's why I gotta find some other way for them to bask.

 

[Nomadu571]

I tried a floating basking area but the turtles didn't use it at all do that's why I gotta find some other way for them to bask.

I have musks and they are know to never bask, literally but I still provide a basking area. They might not use it when your looking or even use it to sit on for periods of time, but the heat zone is what your creating so they can get variations in temp. Even if they were to sit on it at the water line the dock would be slightly warmer than the water, so they might not get right under the bulb but it doesn't mean they don't use it at all. Just use the dock you have even if you don't see them on it. I'd rather provide it incase of that one time they might get cold. Rather that than a dead or Ill turtle. It's just good care isn't it.

 

[alLexX]

sliders get BIG.and will need like a120. and with 2,your levels will get bad. the bala will need a school of 6 and a 120.the rainbow shark will need a 55,and if the other shark and catfish are what i think they are,you wont be measuring them in inches

 

[Mikejr20]

Sry the two fish I was wrong the one is not a shark it's a pictus catfish and the other might be a striped raphael catfish.

 

[alLexX]

Sry the two fish I was wrong the one is not a shark it's a pictus catfish and the other might be a striped raphael catfish.

oh good.get a school for the pictus,and everything should be fine in the balas 120

 

[aaronjohn20]

Pictus cats are awesome to have but watch anything small, lol.

 

[TenaciousTriggerFish]

Listen I think I know how you feel... It's really nice I think it looks great but now everyone is tagging on it >< but that is too overstocked I've never dealt with turtles but I know all the other fish and it's a little sad that they are In There for your fish I wouldn't out it in less than a fifty (and I tend to push things trust me!) and I'm not arguing with anyone but alot of catfish and other fish are schooling fish and will really like a school but is not needed for someone on a budget like me... Although I just invested in a fifty gallon long for my twelve inch pleco... I now feel ALOT better because he was constantly upset in his old tank and your fish are to probably I'm sorry for the bad news and I'm sure u probably just want to change the subject and put it in the back of your mind like I did but trust me it's the right thing to do

 

[TenaciousTriggerFish]

Pictus cats are awesome to have but watch anything small, lol.

I like pictus catfish but how big do they get?

 

[aaronjohn20]

Mine was around 5 inches. I think they get 6-8inches. Don't quote me on that

 

[Mikejr20]

So anyone know if I should get glass or acrylic? And with my fish assortment should I get the 55 gal or just save up and get a 70 or 90 gal? Is there a decent priced website online that sells tanks, stands, and hoods? I was also thinking about getting the deep blue T5 light. Do you guys thinks that's too much for a freshwater set up?

 

[Tcal01]

So anyone know if I should get glass or acrylic? And with my fish assortment should I get the 55 gal or just save up and get a 70 or 90 gal? Is there a decent priced website online that sells tanks, stands, and hoods? I was also thinking about getting the deep blue T5 light. Do you guys thinks that's too much for a freshwater set up?

I think the best place to look is always Craigslist. They have awesome deals. In regards to acrylic or glass, i know acrylic scratches more but looks clearer (i think) but i am also wondering what the pros and cons are between them. If you have the time, space and money to get a bigger tank, according to the stock u have now, i would go for it. Also, u can take a freshwater setup as far as u want. Just remember that the better your light is and the higher the output, the more u are soon going to need a co2 system because if you just have a suuuuuper high tech light on a tank, all its going to do is grow u an algae farm.

Edit : also keep an eye out for the deals on the classifieds on this forum

 

[Mikejr20]

Never heard of a CO2 system. So what would be a good system to have? Cause right now for my 35 gal tank I have a canister filter made for a 55-100 gal tanks and a bubbler. Is that an efficient enough system for CO2?

 

[Mikejr20]

Switched from pebbles to play sand. I got the quikrete play sand. Looks really good and realistic my only problem now is that my pleco has moved all the sand so now there's mounds of sand and other parts there's glass bottom. That sucks I gotta keep moving the sand back.