New Tank

[Scales]

After much analysis, I am going to set up my old 54 at my office. I toyed with the idea of a SWFO or reef, but don't want the hassle of mixing saltwater here for the water changes, plus the tinkering time that seems to be required for my saltwater tanks. I am going to try a FW tank, something I have not kept since the early 90's. I have had tanks since I was a kid (some would disagree as to whether I have outgrown this label) and have been successful with the standard community type tanks. I do not have a great amount of experience with plants...none with cichlids.

Now for the questions:

1. Anyone have any recommendatiuons for a cichlid tank of this size? I see very colourful smaller specimens at the LFS, but there are so many types that I am having difficulty determining what could be kept together in a tank of this size...aggression management?? I assume that reef sand be used as a substrate (I have some sand in the garage that could be put to use)?

2. If I go with the standard community type tank, I want to try some plants. Are there any substrate recommendations, particularly sourcing gravel from somewhere other than the LFS? With respect to lighting, I was going to run 3 or 4 NO bulbs, 2 6500K (from Home Depot) and 1 or 2 actinic to balance the visual appeal of the tank...

Any comments or recommendations are apprecietd.

Trevor

[Dale D]

Most cichlids and plants do not mix very well. African and new world cichlids tend to dig up and move around the substrate alot. Leaving you with a tank full of uprooted, shreaded plants and messy water if you are using a mixed substrate. Cichlids that are suitable for a planted tank would include angels, discus, rams and apistos etc.

There are alot of new one part substrates out on the market now from companies like Red Sea and Seachem. They are alot less messy and easier to use than setting up a mixed substrate. I only have experience with the Red Sea Florobase. It is easy to use and seems to do a good job of growing plants. The only thing I am a little concerned about is that it is rather lightweight and can be harder to get larger bouyant plants to stay in place until they root.

I use a mixed substrate in my 90 planted tank. The bottom 1 1/2"layer is a mixture of Laterite and natural aquarium gravel, which is covered with a top 1 1/2" layer of gravel. The tank has been set up for over a year and the plant growth is great. I had one of my tiger lotus's bloom for me last week.

Reef substrate would push your PH up too high.

I'm using a 110 w PC fixture and 2 48" 40w GE daylight Ultra
NO's over the tank. No CO2 yet,but, am thinking about it.

IMHO the only thing as nice or nicer looking than a well done reef tank is a well done planted tank. If I could only have one tank it would be hard to choose between a reef and a planted tank.

[Scales]

Thanks Dale.

After much research, I have decided that I am going to avoid the dedicated cichlid tank, therefore my sand will stay in the garage...I am going to set up a "standard" community tank and try to grow some plants...I am going to run 4 NO lights (3 6500 and 1 actinic). I will probably try one of those DIY C02 systems to help the plants...

Cheers.

[StirCrazy]

your best bet might be to use a coarse sand for a substrate mixed with gravel of 2mm size. you want to get a fair amount of stem plants that are quick grower like hygro and such as they will take up nutrents fast from the water. also if you find jobe sticks for lush green ferns and put them in the sand around the plant roots they will go better. as for Co2 with that low of lighting it is doutfull you will need it. try just the fertalizer first. I have a recipie for a good home made fertalizer somewhere I will see if I can find it for you. as for a comunity tank take your time and research the fish first.. you will find some tetra's are not realy comuntiy fish even though every fish store will tell you they are. but best bang for buck go lots of plants and about 4 or 5 different types of tetra's.. i would recomend, emperior, blue neon, black neon, lemmon and rummy nose. also you can throw in a pleco but stick to the naturaly small species like candy stripe or better yet a bristle nose. you would be trying to find a proper size home for them in 5 or 6 months

Steve

[trilinearmipmap]

Well for a substrate I'd suggest you look at Onyx sand, it is a little expensive but worth it IMO. Find it on the Big Al's or MOPS website. I have one tank with Flourite substrate, 2 with Onyx sand, and one with plain silica gravel substrate. The onyx sand tanks have by far the best growth and the easiest maintenance.

I'd suggest checking out the boards at www.aquabotanic.com for up to date advice on plants. I'd also suggest ditching the actinic light and go for 6500K lights all around.

If you want plants I've got plants, I can set you up with a variety of low to moderate light plants for a small consideration. Or look on www.aquabay.ca for people selling plants.

Good luck.

[Namscam]

is it really necessary to even do water changes?? because one of my friends have a 240 gallon tank (reef) and has been running it for 1 year now without 1 water change and everything is doin fine...so n e wayz if you dont do water change but have all the necessary equipment i think you could keep it in your office

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Namscam

is it really necessary to even do water changes??

I do a 80% water change on my planted tank once per month. I use a 50 foot python and just suck the water out then reverse the valve and add tap water with enuf prime to treat it. been doing this for 4 years and not a problem and only takes 15 min.

Steve

[Scales]

Thanks for all the replies. I wil source some substrate in the next week or two and get started.

Stircrazy - I would appreciate that fertilizer recipe if you can find it...

Cheers.

[BCOrchidGuy]

I kept africans and plants together a number of times, I'd put the plants in small (tiny) terracotta pots and cover them in gravel, then put the pot in the substrate and put a couple of good sized rocks around it. Vallesnaria grows really well this way. As far as aggressiveness. I had a trio of peacocks and a trio of Red Empress, as well as yellow labs, half a dozen julidochromis and some brichardi in a 45 gallon. There was aggression but it was divided up really well, EVERYTHING spawned in that tank, the julidochromis and the brichardi had the best luck though. I had lots of rock and tried to keep the swimming area as open as I could.

Doug