56 Gallon finalization questions!

[GodFan]

It is 30' long by 18' wide and 24' high. I really want the zebras but I decided against the cpds (By recomendation of somebody on here) and the gold ringed danio. So other that the bottom dwellers we got harlquien rasboras, zebra danios, and glowlight tetras. I like the CPDs though ;( lol
What about the CPO?

 

[absolutangel04]

It is 30' long by 18' wide and 24' high. I really want the zebras but I decided against the cpds (By recomendation of somebody on here) and the gold ringed danio. So other that the bottom dwellers we got harlquien rasboras, zebra danios, and glowlight tetras. I like the CPDs though ;( lol
What about the CPO?

Ok, sorry, I should have asked the you the dimensions in the first place. Yeah, I think you are fine with those species in that case. Sorry, I don't know what a cpo is...

 

[GodFan]

Ok, sorry, I should have asked the you the dimensions in the first place. Yeah, I think you are fine with those species in that case. Sorry, I don't know what a cpo is...

Oh sorry they are Dwarf Crayfish. I think specifically Mexican Dwarf Crayfish. Do you have experience with CPDs? Because I was wondering if they needed to be only with tiny fish.

 

[absolutangel04]

Oh sorry they are Dwarf Crayfish. I think specifically Mexican Dwarf Crayfish. Do you have experience with CPDs? Because I was wondering if they needed to be only with tiny fish.

I have not kept cpd before, but I have kept other similar nano fish. I don't think they need to be with only tiny fish. They just need to not get eaten, and you aren't planning any predatory tankmates, so thats no big deal. I am not aware of cpd being especially shy of anything, so I don't know why it wouldn't work. I like them a lot too. I would like to own them someday as well.

 

[GodFan]

I have not kept cpd before, but I have kept other similar nano fish. I don't think they need to be with only tiny fish. They just need to not get eaten, and you aren't planning any predatory tankmates, so thats no big deal. I am not aware of cpd being especially shy of anything, so I don't know why it wouldn't work. I like them a lot too. I would like to own them someday as well.

Me too. Do you think a dwarf gourami or betta would cause a problem? And while we are on the subject is Dwarf gourami disease something to be worried about?

 

[absolutangel04]

Me too. Do you think a dwarf gourami or betta would cause a problem? And while we are on the subject is Dwarf gourami disease something to be worried about?

I think a betta might not like the fast-moving danios, but it can be a huge toss-up with bettas. As for the dg, I would recommend a honey gourami instead. They are a little bigger, but IMO/E, they tend to be healthier. Yes, dg disease is something to be concerned about IMO. Plenty of people have luck with dg, but IMO, if you have the space, why not go with a healthier fish? Dg have been vastly overbred for the aquarium trade and the species suffers because of it. There are a lot of unhealthy ones out there. But, like I said, I also know plenty of people get them and never have an issue. So, its all up to you.

 

[jetajockey]

Let me know how it goes. Ive kept and bred cpd's and they are intimidated fairly easily if not with the right tankmates. I tried them in a few different larger community setups and they basically get lost.

You could check the forum at www.celestialpearldanio.com to dig for more info.

 

[GodFan]

Those are Hoplosternum littorale. And they're extremely resilient (you can find them in drainage ditches in Florida, I hear) and playful. They like to chew on fingers too

How big and whats theyre temperment?

I think a betta might not like the fast-moving danios, but it can be a huge toss-up with bettas. As for the dg, I would recommend a honey gourami instead. They are a little bigger, but IMO/E, they tend to be healthier. Yes, dg disease is something to be concerned about IMO. Plenty of people have luck with dg, but IMO, if you have the space, why not go with a healthier fish? Dg have been vastly overbred for the aquarium trade and the species suffers because of it. There are a lot of unhealthy ones out there. But, like I said, I also know plenty of people get them and never have an issue. So, its all up to you.

Ok thanks. I think that might be better then lol Honeys stay small too right?

Let me know how it goes. Ive kept and bred cpd's and they are intimidated fairly easily if not with the right tankmates. I tried them in a few different larger community setups and they basically get lost.

You could check the forum at www.celestialpearldanio.com to dig for more info.

ok I will probably skip them. I think I have enough fish anyway.

 

[jetajockey]

I like honey gouramis a lot, I kept a few of them but lost one curious one that decided he wanted to see what was on the other end of the gravel vac. Overall a robust fish, stays small, and readily available at petsmart etc.

 

[absolutangel04]

I am goint to get a honey as soon as I re-home my last skirt tetra. They do stay small. Bigger than dg, but not an over-bred. I have actually never seen them in a chain store before. My lfs has some that were locally bred.

 

[Rokuzachi]

Hoplos are docile and playful but can be boisterous when there's food involved. That's not to say that they'll attack other fish or hurt them, but if there's food at stake they can be very determined. I've had mine come up half their body length above the surface to get food from my fingers. Their small, downturned mouths have proven thus far to make them safe tankmates for my smaller fish, despite being significantly larger.

Most of the sources I've read about their size conflict, but if you take the high and low from those you get ~10". They're rather slow growers - I've had mine for over 6 months now and they've grown what I'd estimate to be a little under an inch to their current 6". I'm inclined to believe that aquarium specimens may never see 10", as I've heard others recount their size at between 7-8" max.

I wouldn't really say they are dedicated bottom feeders despite their appearance. Mine spend equal amounts of time in all levels of the tank - sifting sand through their gills, burrowing into the sand, nosing through plants, investigating the glass, or cruising the surface in anticipation of food. If you give them something to sit on, you might find them perched on their fins on top of a plant or decoration.

Also, if you don't want snails breeding, these guys can help. I have 3 Ramshorns that regularly lay eggs, and the Hoplos have yet to let any of them hatch. I routinely catch them with their snout buried in the corner of the tank pulling the eggs off of the silicone.

There are other very similar cats to this that don't get as big (Megalechis thorcata, M. personata).

I'll also add that these guys build bubble nests and are very easy to spawn should you so desire.

 

[GodFan]

I like honey gouramis a lot, I kept a few of them but lost one curious one that decided he wanted to see what was on the other end of the gravel vac. Overall a robust fish, stays small, and readily available at petsmart etc.

ok will they eat RCS and do they need to be kept in pairs?

 

[jetajockey]

No, they are fine alone. IDK about whether they go with shrimp, I've not tried it. I'm sure they could just swoop down and eat the juveniles at will, they are big enough to do it, but for the most part they stay right at the surface.

 

[GodFan]

No, they are fine alone. IDK about whether they go with shrimp, I've not tried it. I'm sure they could just swoop down and eat the juveniles at will, they are big enough to do it, but for the most part they stay right at the surface.

ok thanks. Not sure what Im gonna do.... See yall got me confused again!!! lol

 

[Dale_I]

I might suggest taking some money from the stocking plan and getting filtration. You can't add 50 or so fish all at once anyway, and spending dollars in filtration will yield significant benefits once fish are added. I know you are concerned about canister filter cost, but looking on CraigsList or eBay can get you a much better filter for the cost of a large HOB, or two HOB.

Even if it may take a little longer to get it fully stocked, I think you might find that you don't need 50+ fish to have an active tank, especially with healthy, happy fish.

I know it has been said before, but patience and a long term mindset will pay dividends in the end.

 

[GodFan]

I might suggest taking some money from the stocking plan and getting filtration. You can't add 50 or so fish all at once anyway, and spending dollars in filtration will yield significant benefits once fish are added. I know you are concerned about canister filter cost, but looking on CraigsList or eBay can get you a much better filter for the cost of a large HOB, or two HOB.

Even if it may take a little longer to get it fully stocked, I think you might find that you don't need 50+ fish to have an active tank, especially with healthy, happy fish.

I know it has been said before, but patience and a long term mindset will pay dividends in the end.

Well I think I may just run 2 filters for now. I dont know enough about canisters and I can get 2 HOBs for about half the price new.

 

[Rokuzachi]

Well I think I may just run 2 filters for now. I dont know enough about canisters and I can get 2 HOBs for about half the price new.

Double C4's or AC70's would be good. You could do an AC110, but as I mentioned before, it would take some modifications to fit on the back due to the center brace. (but the 110 is pretty spectacular)

 

[maxwellag]

If you are gonna spend that much on two HOBs or one large HOB, why don't you just get the Aquatop CF-500 UV? It is 100$ and has 525 gph, 4 media trays and a built in UV sterilizer.

 

[GodFan]

If you are gonna spend that much on two HOBs or one large HOB, why don't you just get the Aquatop CF-500 UV? It is 100$ and has 525 gph, 4 media trays and a built in UV sterilizer.

Because I can get the 2 HOBs for less than 75. The amazing power of Amazon

 

[maxwellag]

Because I can get the 2 HOBs for less than 75. The amazing power of Amazon

Oh. Well I would get the dual AC 70s in that case, just because you would have a bag of bio media always available to seed future tanks needing to be cycled. You could also put different types of media in each one. (Like maybe all bio media in one, and all mechanical media in the other)