dcase Posted July 4, 2007 Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 Hi ... this site looks great. I have just purchased an Aqua One AR-620 tank & stand - also a heater so I can get into tropical fish (never had fish before). Am hoping to put in gravel, water etc this coming weekend. I do want a background for the tank and like the 3D ones (I have seen in an Aqua One brochure) that are like are like rocks. I figure the charcoal one will higlight the fish more. Am a bit disappointed that I can't see too many backgounds in local pet shops or even on local online sites. Anyone know somewhere with a good range to choose from? Also interested in developing a stocking plan and am open to suggestions. I like Pearl Danio's and thought I'd get 5-6 of these for a start. Later on I would like to add a Red Finned Shark I also like Neon Tetra's, Cherry Barbs, Tiger Barb's, Clown Loaches, and the Chocolate Gourami (although I am told these are harder to keep and not for the inexperienced). So would appreciate any ideas on what will & won't go together. regards David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loopy Posted July 4, 2007 Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 Welcome. It is a great hobbie that can be quite addictive. We have a Totally Tanked meting at our place on Saturday so feel free to come along and chat and ask questions. We are a great bunch of people and have a great variety of knowledge. Check out the thread of Totally tanked. Mr Loopy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afrikan Posted July 4, 2007 Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 Welcome dcase.. if you would like some ideas post a thread in the freshwater section, alot seem to surf that section so you should get some really good ideas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilknieval69 Posted July 4, 2007 Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 Welcome dcase. you will find heaps of good info here, but as Afrikan said, might be best to start a new thred in the 'freshwater' section as you will probably get more replys. Heres the totally tanked thread that loopy was talking about http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/yay-ju ... 22367.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted July 4, 2007 Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 Welcome dcase. You will find plenty of help here. The first thing you need to learn is about the aquarium cycle. There is good information here; http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cycling.htm Your tank is not big enough for sharks or clowns by the way. The danios are a good fish to start with and cope with the cycling well. I think I saw the backgrounds you referred to at Redwood Aquatics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilson Posted July 4, 2007 Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 hi and welcome always great to have another chcher try going to organism it dosnt have a big range of backgrounds but ( JMO ) has the biggest range of fish to look at and a great price Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jolliolli Posted July 4, 2007 Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 Probably the best range of 3D backgrounds i've seen is at redwood aquatics, they are pricey though ($150 or so) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishandchips Posted July 4, 2007 Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 You could always do something like the people in this thread. Looks really good. http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/rocky-cave-background-from-polystrene-vt22531.html But could be very labour intensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ianab Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 I wouldn't go with the tiger barbs, they are best kept in a group of at least 6 or they can be trouble makers, and 6 big tiger barbs would be a full tank. I have 6 of them in a 4" tank with bala sharks, kribensis and a big pleco and they are great, but not in a smaller community tank. Clown loachs are cool too, but also best kept in a group and although they grow slowly, they grow BIG. Danios, tetras and the smaller barbs are a good choice. Have a look at Golden barbs, nice little community fish. Some small catfish (Corys) are a good cleanup crew and Bristlenose pleco or a couple of Oto catfish will help keep algae under control. Dont get a Common or Sailfin Pleco, unless you plan on getting a BIG tank fairly soon Cheers Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 There's lots of small and colourful barbs, plus rummy nose tetras and harlequins. The Rasbora hengeli is gorgeous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcase Posted July 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 & thanks for the tips - aim to look at Organism late tomorrow afternoon. Unfortunately have a prior engagement for Sat night but would definitely be keen to meet with Totally Tanked members Once again thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcase Posted July 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2007 Ok ... had water in tank for a week and plants for 4 days ... was just going to initially add some Pearl Danios BUT Animates had a good sale and ended up getting: 6 Pearl Danio 4 Plecostomus Brittlenose 1 Rainbow Shark 6 Peppered Catfish 6 Harlequin Rasbora I know I am not supposed to add all these at once but price was so good (buy one & get another free). Got them yesterday. I have been told main thing to watch for is ammonia spiking - I have test strips and so far so good. I also got a pouch of Nitra-Zorb which T have included in the filtration system and I will change a 1/4 of the tank water tomorrow and every 2-3 days for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcase Posted July 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2007 I have some queries: My temperature seems to vary during the from 25.7 to 27.1 - is such variation normal? For the fish in the posting above, what is ideal? I thought around 26 based on some eading I had done. I have shrimp pellots and algae chips to feed the bottomdwellers and tropical flakes for the Danios & Rasbora's but what is best for the Rainbow Shark? It seems to like decimating one of the plants. regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcase Posted July 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2007 Also in a couple of weeks I would like to ad a couple of feature fish. Any ideas would be appreciated as to what would be compatible. Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcase Posted July 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2007 Upon earlier advice have place my queries, etc in the Freshwater forum. Thx David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilson Posted July 15, 2007 Report Share Posted July 15, 2007 have been told main thing to watch for is ammonia spiking - I have test strips and so far so good. I also got a pouch of Nitra-Zorb which T have included in the filtration system and I will change a 1/4 of the tank water tomorrow and every 2-3 days for a while this should be fine i had a tank up and running and then got a new filter and did a wc every 2 days for 2 weeks and it was fine My temperature seems to vary during the from 25.7 to 27.1 - is such variation normal? For the fish in the posting above, what is ideal? I thought around 26 based on some eading I had done. my tank can be as low as 22 in the morning and as high as 28 at nite my room is cold in the morning but gets alot of strong sun at about 4 pm warms up the tank alot my fish dont seem to mind at all I have shrimp pellots and algae chips to feed the bottomdwellers and tropical flakes for the Danios & Rasbora's but what is best for the Rainbow Shark? It seems to like decimating one of the plants. rainbow sharks eat anything (at least mine did) :lol: why not a gourami or a angelfish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.