New Vertical Tank

[aherzog1230]

Hello!
I have been watching for a while, but this is my first post. I have recently been put in charge of a vertical display tank at my school. It is approximately 60" deep, 36" long and 18" wide. (about 170 gallons). I have run freshwater tanks before, but never one this large, nor any vertical. I used to care for it before when another member was in charge, but it only contained 2 Cichlids and some tetras.
I am having a hard time choosing fish for the tank because its a vertical. Any help would be amazing!

 

[Delapool]

Holey smokes, so that tank is 5ft deep?? Anything in there at the moment for fish, plants or ornaments? Love to see a pic

Here I think I'd add some very large, long pieces of driftwood (heck probably drag in a hollow log) and look at some fairly sedate, good size native fish.

 

[The_Desacrator]

I'd like a pic too. Sounds awesome. Might give us a better idea of it if we had pics. What school? College?

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[aherzog1230]

I will get a pic up within a few days as I am off campus. The person who "cared" for it over the summer did not visit it at all, and the tank is a mess. There is a thin layer of sand, and 2 large pieces of driftwood. Previously, we had some tall fake plants, but they are old and need replaced. One Convict Cichlid may still live, but I am doubtful. There were a few Buenos Aires tetras, but they were never compatible and probably perished. It desperately needs cleaned, but I can't access it until Sunday when I get a key to the room.
I was hoping for some live plants, but it is extremely difficult to plant as its so deep. I was thinking of attaching some Java Moss to some of the Driftwood to give it life.

 

[sheilak]

tall tank

you might use red root floaters at the top to give some dimension,or wisteria they could absorb some of the nitrates that will develope

 

[Delapool]

I guess it also depends what sort of fish you want and how much time you have?

I think imo any plants more than two feet deep will struggle to grow unless you have strong lighting and that may cause algae issues. Some plants on the driftwood sounds a great idea.

Fancy goldfish crossed my mind as well. Low maintenance, nice colours in high end fish.

 

[aherzog1230]

Ok, so I got back to campus and I got some more/better information. The dimensions are actually 48*48*18. We have a light on a timer and it can be adjusted to whatever is necessary. Both of the Convict Cicchlids lived, and I have no idea how (they probably ate the tetra). I have begun cleaning the tank, and you can see into it again. It will take a lot of work.

Personally, I am not a fan of the Cichlids. They are always aggressive to each other and to other fish. It is a Male/Female pair, but they arent matched well. Both are dominant to one area of the tank. I would like to replace them, but I am unsure how to relocate them.

 

[Fresh2o]

I would contact an LFS (not one of the big box stores) or a local fish club for relocating those cichlids.
That's a nice sump. I'd make sure that you put foam or floss on the tray above the bio media.


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[aherzog1230]

Thanks. The white layer actually is a box holding a piece of foam