I'm thinking about starting up a 110 gallon aquarium, because it is currently sitting around collecting dust. This would be my biggest aquarium by far, my largest before this would be 25 gallons. I've always done planted since I got into it and though it would be a daunting task to plant this beauty, I think it would be an amazing set up once it's done. Now the question is, would I need a canister filter? What about stocking? I want a pretty calm tank, the most aggressive fish being on semi-aggressive. I want some shrimp for sure, but I know what I will probably stock there. What could I have as the focal fish?
110 Gallon? Planted? Any Advice?
- Thread starter Cymmie
- Start date
Lots of questions... I'll tackle as many as I can.
A canister for a tank that size is likely the best option. I have used 2 large HOBs on a tank just like this, but there were issues with algae. I added a powerhead to increase the circulation, but that didn't help with the algae. If you can find a good sale on a canister, do it.
Planted tanks come in many varieties, if this is your first, I'd suggest sticking with a low tech tank, and keep plants that don't require a lot of fuss and muss. (We can get into these when more information is available.)
Fish options... this really depends on your water. A tank that size really needs to be kept in line with your tap conditions, because its just not going to be realistic to be able to cater your water to your fish's needs... better to cater your fish choices to the water you have on hand - but honestly, there are so many options for all water types.
Once your water stats are determined, we can look into everything else. For my money, a South American biotope tank is a great way to go with a tank this size, especially if you are going planted!
A canister for a tank that size is likely the best option. I have used 2 large HOBs on a tank just like this, but there were issues with algae. I added a powerhead to increase the circulation, but that didn't help with the algae. If you can find a good sale on a canister, do it.
Planted tanks come in many varieties, if this is your first, I'd suggest sticking with a low tech tank, and keep plants that don't require a lot of fuss and muss. (We can get into these when more information is available.)
Fish options... this really depends on your water. A tank that size really needs to be kept in line with your tap conditions, because its just not going to be realistic to be able to cater your water to your fish's needs... better to cater your fish choices to the water you have on hand - but honestly, there are so many options for all water types.
Once your water stats are determined, we can look into everything else. For my money, a South American biotope tank is a great way to go with a tank this size, especially if you are going planted!
Agreed. Let us know what you have on tap, then we can talk about stocking.
In the meantime, what do you mean by "focal fish"? something a bit bigger that will be the focus of such a tank?
I ask because anything that could be the focal fish in a tank that size would surely happily snack on the shrimp you said you wanted for sure.
In the meantime, what do you mean by "focal fish"? something a bit bigger that will be the focus of such a tank?
I ask because anything that could be the focal fish in a tank that size would surely happily snack on the shrimp you said you wanted for sure.
Zante said:
To me a focal fish could also be a really nice big shoal of small shoaling fish. And in a tank that size, you can really appreciate their shoaling behaviors if you find the right ones.
Assuming the water is correct, rummynose tetras, for example, would be a tremendous display in a planted tank that size.
A planted aquascape tank can look truly amazing, and some of the best examples I can think of where done by Mr Takashi Amano. Even with his grand displays he didn't tend to have large (potentially plant destructive fish), instead he often used small schooling fish and of course the shrimp that carries his namesake Amano shrimp. All of my tanks tend to look like a cross-section of a creek, and leaning towards a wild jungle. This works for me and seems to keep the fish and shrimp rather happy too.
Personally I would probably go down the canister filter route, for your sized tank just do some online searches for reviews of the different types, being sure to avoid the producers own sites which may only give glowing reports. I once purchased a canister filter that the seller had sworn black and blue was complete and needed no extras. Only trouble was it did not come with an actual pump in the head to suck the water into and back out of the filter. Therefore after purchasing the canister filter I would still have needed to work out a compatible pump for it. Needless to say I demanded (and got) a full refund, but it did make me leary of other canister filters for some time afterwards. The other canister filter I purchased is actually oversized for the tank it is on, which is a good thing, and is easy to maintain and prime after being turned off and cleaned. It also seems to always restart again on its own after any power outs.
Not only will your water chemistry be important for what fish you eventually choose but also for any shrimp you might wish to mix with them. If you go with small shrimp like Crystal Reds/ Crystal Blacks and even a lot of the Tibee Tigers these generally need very exact pH, gH and cool temperatures which might not suit all tropical fish. Cherry shrimp are very adaptable but they too can be influenced in colour and longevity by the water paramaters, but at least temperature is not always such an issue with cherry shrimp.
So personally I would sort out my water specs, then pick a scape style, then decide on a shrimp species or mix of species then work out what fish will best suit the shrimps requirements. This should give you the least stress in the long run, while giving you healthy happy vibrant shrimp and lively fish darting through your planted tank.
Personally I would probably go down the canister filter route, for your sized tank just do some online searches for reviews of the different types, being sure to avoid the producers own sites which may only give glowing reports. I once purchased a canister filter that the seller had sworn black and blue was complete and needed no extras. Only trouble was it did not come with an actual pump in the head to suck the water into and back out of the filter. Therefore after purchasing the canister filter I would still have needed to work out a compatible pump for it. Needless to say I demanded (and got) a full refund, but it did make me leary of other canister filters for some time afterwards. The other canister filter I purchased is actually oversized for the tank it is on, which is a good thing, and is easy to maintain and prime after being turned off and cleaned. It also seems to always restart again on its own after any power outs.
Not only will your water chemistry be important for what fish you eventually choose but also for any shrimp you might wish to mix with them. If you go with small shrimp like Crystal Reds/ Crystal Blacks and even a lot of the Tibee Tigers these generally need very exact pH, gH and cool temperatures which might not suit all tropical fish. Cherry shrimp are very adaptable but they too can be influenced in colour and longevity by the water paramaters, but at least temperature is not always such an issue with cherry shrimp.
So personally I would sort out my water specs, then pick a scape style, then decide on a shrimp species or mix of species then work out what fish will best suit the shrimps requirements. This should give you the least stress in the long run, while giving you healthy happy vibrant shrimp and lively fish darting through your planted tank.
The biggest fish size I'd want is a something around a blue or gold gourami size. But otherwise I am ok with sticking to shoaling/schooling and smaller fish. I have had crystal shrimp before in a heavily planted 25 gallon that they had completely to themselves with a handful of other dwarf shrimp. All of the shrimp were breeding in there, including the crystals though I only were able to keep the crystals breeding for a couple generations before I got hit with an ammonia spike and it killed off everyone but maybe 10 of my cherries. It depressed me so much I tore that tank apart. It had been thriving so much. How would I test my tap water without it being in an aquarium first? I've got an API Master Kit Test, but do I need to get a new one? Mine is probably a few years old. Should I test it straight from the tap?
Usually if I don't have a previous aquarium to cycle my new tank with I usually do a strange no fish cycle. But I've never done one with such a big tank.... So I usually put in a single raw shrimp in a panty-hose and set it in the filter path and let it spike the ammonia and such, and do the water changes like I would with a normal fish-less cycle. I normally add my plants half-way through. Anyone know how many shrimp I would probably need?
Usually if I don't have a previous aquarium to cycle my new tank with I usually do a strange no fish cycle. But I've never done one with such a big tank.... So I usually put in a single raw shrimp in a panty-hose and set it in the filter path and let it spike the ammonia and such, and do the water changes like I would with a normal fish-less cycle. I normally add my plants half-way through. Anyone know how many shrimp I would probably need?
Cymmie said:
Regarding cycling: http
/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/421488-cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-firstCheck the expiration date on your API kit.
If its past date, you can still test the water, but I wouldn't trust the results, but I'd get the results checked at the LFS to confirm. You'll also want to know the kH and gH values - these can likely be determined by contacting your water company or checking their website.
What company is it, I might be able to find it for you.
I'll just toss in a suggestion on cycling. As you intend live plants, let the plants do the cycling. Aquascape the tank, including the plants, at the start. You can leave it running (filter, heater, lighting) for any number of days until you are satisfied with things. Make sure you have some floating plants. Then you could add the first fish, just a few. You could also use a good bacterial supplement; I have used this and not used it, depending, but with live plants that are fast growing (like the floating) this is just a sort of "just in case." But it won't hurt.
When considering plants, the lighting is the most important aspect. Any data on this will help.
On the water, your city may have a website, with a section on water treatment (?).
And I agree with others that for this tank a good canister is about the best filter. Live plants factor into this.
Byron.
When considering plants, the lighting is the most important aspect. Any data on this will help.
On the water, your city may have a website, with a section on water treatment (?).
And I agree with others that for this tank a good canister is about the best filter. Live plants factor into this.
Byron.
http/www.slocity.org/home/showdocument?id=6607
http/www.slocity.org/government/department-directory/utilities-department/water/water-treatment/water-quality
worse comes to worse I call them and get put on hold forever XD
/www.slocity.org/home/showdocument?id=6607 http
/www.slocity.org/government/department-directory/utilities-department/water/water-treatment/water-quality worse comes to worse I call them and get put on hold forever XD
Similar threads
Most reactions
-
506 -
326 -
255 -
224 -
220 -
194 -
159 -
158 -
153 -
144 -
129 -
121 -
121 -
107 -
104