Nini Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 So, finally got the filters set up... PICTURES! Before: During: After: Two top tanks are 2ft x 18inch x 18inch (60 x 45 x 45cm), bottom tank is 4 x 1 x 1ft (120 x 30 x 30cm)... The top one on the left will be a grow out tank (it may sit there a few months/years unused, lol)... mummy and daddy peppermint may be moved in there yet -- not 100%..I like having them in my lounge room XD I'm not entirely sure what I want to do with the other 2 .. (I know.. I bought tanks without having fish to put in there?! WHATTT!?!?) We have a couple rosy barbs, and a couple tiger barbs which could be moved out of a smaller 2ft tank, but I don't want tank mates that'll get fin-nipped by them(because they're apparently bad for it?).. so I'm iffy about whether I want them or not. So, my question to you addicts.. If you had a 120L and a 110L tank, what would you throw in it? :3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainbowrunner Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 native rainbowfish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shon982 Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 Tanganyikan Cichlids Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nini Posted August 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 We already have native rainbows in one of the other tanks :3 lol.. they have a few native friends (I think Brad is slowly working towards a native tank..he just needs the funds for it, heh.. stupid money) There are so many different kinds of Tanganyikan cichlids! (Thank you google, haha) What kind do you keep, shon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shon982 Posted August 24, 2013 Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 I've got a heap of different kinds, you're welcome to come have a look for ideas! Some suggestion for your tanks are: Similis or Multis or other shell dwellers Julidochromis Leleupi Leptosoma utinta or mpulungu Callochromis pleurospilus (for the 4ft) Nigripinnis blue neon or albino Brichardi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chazycraig Posted August 24, 2013 Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 gouramis or killies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nini Posted August 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 Cichlids worry me with the whole "aggressive behaviour" thing -- that's why I stuck to guppies and peppermint bns with the first tank, lol.. happy, happy dopey derps I'm thinking of putting the peps in the 4ft, since it's only 30 high and wide.. gives them lots of "floor space", just means I have to go driftwood shopping -- again. But then I'm not sure if the 60x45x45s will be big enough for cichlids? I like the bright coloured ones -- leleupi, and even the julidochromis are pretty (if google has its images right, lol) The more I look at the killifish, the more I like them.. the bluefin notho killifish are real pretty o.o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shon982 Posted August 24, 2013 Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 Yup, tanganyikan shell dwellers and some lamprologus will be fine in small tanks and they're not too aggressive when kept in single species tanks I think you might be getting the impression of aggressive behaviour from malawi cichlids which aren't like tanganyikan cichlids Another fish you may like are the nigripinnis or leptosoma utinta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nini Posted August 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 Oh, that's possible.. It's similar to bettas now.. I hear cichlid/betta and go "bully fish " .. No one's allowed to fight in my tanks > .. but I want something a little more interesting than goldfish, lol.. My nan has a 5ft tank with a HEAP of long finned goldfish (that's probably not the correct name, but that's all you see when you look in the tank--fins and tails).. and they're nice, but a little too docile for me. Do the leptosoma utintas really need to be in a group of 10? o.o wow .. Pretty sure that would fill the 2ft up in no time, lol They're cute though :3 Why can't they be happy with 4-5? haha The nigripinnis is easy on the eyes too.. Does it really like ph to be above 8? Or is google lying to me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shon982 Posted August 24, 2013 Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 Yup pH of above 8 would be good I'd go with julidochromis or brichardi in one of the 2ft Similis in another or a different shell dweller in the other 2ft then in the 4ft get a school of leptosoma and a school of nigripinnis Usually they're too skittish and that causes stress to the fish in small groups Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nini Posted August 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 Also -- shell dwellers don't seem overly colourful/pretty.. or is google showing me dud pictures/info? Lamprologus are cute.. mannnnn.. I started this thread because I had so many ideas that I couldn't think of anything .. .. Now I have so many ideas, I'm going to need MORE tanks! ..lol I am worried about the pH though.. most of our tanks are around the 7.4-7.6 mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goneself Posted August 24, 2013 Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 Pah, africans are rubbish. Step off the beaten path and go with the killies, not many people keeping them atm. Aphyosemion gardneri should be more popular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shon982 Posted August 24, 2013 Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 Easily bumped up with a bit off buffer Yeah unfortunately what they lack in colour, they make up in personality though Otherwise you can get more colourful varieties like gold ocellatus (shell dwellers I'm talking about) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nini Posted August 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 I apologise for the slow replies, hah.. I keep googling every name that's mentioned so I have some idea of what's being discussed :3 (thank you google, haha) Playing with ph levels makes me a little nervous.. I'm super-cautious when I add water conditioner as it is -- and I've been told you can put in a LOT more than the recommended dosage before it does anything too serious..lol ..and I still count the drops into the bucket :3 Why are killies so unpopular, goneself? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goneself Posted August 24, 2013 Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 They are seen as difficult. They're not. The gardneri especially are easy to breed, but back in the day the traditional way to keep killies was with a peat substrate, and some species need to have a seasonal recreation to breed, ie. removing eggs from the water, changing temps, water levels and blah blah blah. Gardneri are a spectacular looking fish in breeding colours, breed easily all year round and arent fussy when it comes to food. Im not saying theyre foolproof, they arent, but with a little research they'd be a fun project. Hell, Im almost talking myself into keeping them again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nini Posted August 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 They're certainly very colourful Man, I'm shallow when it comes to fish.. lol maybe with experience I'll learn to appreciate the fish for the fish they are, instead of judging them by their colours.. But I like colours If they're not popular though -- wouldn't that make buying them difficult? .. .. Google seems to be saying they're easy to keep.. I'm getting more scared the more I read .. there's a catch somewhere.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
410sierra Posted August 25, 2013 Report Share Posted August 25, 2013 Nice stand looks nice and strong, a couple of natives would look good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shanoz Posted August 25, 2013 Report Share Posted August 25, 2013 What about some Apisto's for your 2 footer, they would love that! So much colour and variety out there, its endless! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goneself Posted August 25, 2013 Report Share Posted August 25, 2013 They're certainly very colourful Man, I'm shallow when it comes to fish.. lol maybe with experience I'll learn to appreciate the fish for the fish they are, instead of judging them by their colours.. But I like colours If they're not popular though -- wouldn't that make buying them difficult? .. .. Google seems to be saying they're easy to keep.. I'm getting more scared the more I read .. there's a catch somewhere.. Not easy to find, but not that difficult...you can probably find them at pet city or online...plus they sell well, most lfs are happy to take them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nini Posted August 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2013 What about some Apisto's for your 2 footer, they would love that! So much colour and variety out there, its endless! They're pretty too! It's unfortunate they want a ph of 6 though The lowest we've seen is about 7.2 .. and playing with chemicals sounds terrifying, lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shanoz Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 They're pretty too! It's unfortunate they want a ph of 6 though The lowest we've seen is about 7.2 .. and playing with chemicals sounds terrifying, lol I have kept them in water parameters above 7, 7.4 to be exact. Just add a couple of Indian Almond leaves and they should be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cichlidbro Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 Darn! Someone beat me to it! I'd go with ocellatus or gold ocellatus. As soon as my LFS have them I'm buying the lot and setting up a harem. Love their personality and that look they have on their face is just priceless! Does anyone else think they kind'a look like Joe Pesci? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nini Posted August 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 Tested the water today, and the ph is a pretty solid 7.6..which is pretty depressing consider it was **all** from the rain water tank -.- sigh BUT.. there's .25 ammonia!! YAY .. nitrites look a tinge purpley (0 is blue), but that may have just been because I want to see something happening, haha.. I forgot how frustrating it was waiting for a tank to cycle.. I may give in and steal media yet <.< We have a couple canisters that we can take from ... The leaves seem like a good chemical-free idea though.. Is there a super-technical catch to it like 1.4 grams of leaf per litre or something stupid? lol Or put it in for 10 minutes, take it out for 5.. repeat for the first 3 days... then stand on your head and touch your toes to your nose.. etcetc Oh man, watched a clip on youtube of them :3 My son would be in hysterics watching them swim in and out of shells.. Maybe I'll go one shell dweller tank, the other killies <.< .. or apistos .. .. hm .. This is why I ask you guys, you think of things I have no idea even exist :3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cichlidbro Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 Happy to have convinced you Nini! Guess my work here is done. They're the only fish(and the smallest) I've had that's actually attacked me!!.. And that's in 20 years of keeping fish! plus.. w/the pH @ 7.6 you know that's juuuust right for african cichlids, eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shanoz Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 Totally right at 7.6 eh' [MENTION=9158]cichlidbro[/MENTION]! lol I miss hearing "eh'"!! lol Good luck in the decision there [MENTION=10799]Nini[/MENTION], I am sure whatever you do, you will be happy with! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
