Advice On 6' Freshwater Tank Setup

[markreefer]

I would welcome input on a 72"x30"x30" (220 gallon) freshwater setup. Tired of the cost of running a Marine Tank with the increasing cost of electricity, I closed it down in February. Its looking very sad and have decided to revitalise by setting up for small freshwater fish. I have a sump but propose to use 2 Eheim Professional filters which I already have. Lighting suggestions would be welcome as the Metal Halides I have are now too costly to run. I dont want to get into lots of work to keep a planted tank looking good but want an attractive feature tank with maybe a small amount of planting.

Suggestions and photos welcome

 

[england]

sugest you give the tank to me, problem solved







what type of fish you have in mind?
tetra's/groups of fish/cichlids

 

[cheesy feet]

0o someone coming out of the dark side
Just normal 48 watt flourescent tubes are the cheapest thing you could get, 2-4 of these would light it dim-normal I would think.
First off do you have any knowledge of freshwater fish or any you like, there are tonnes of options for your size tank.

 

[n3ont3tra]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[cheesy feet]

Also I'm afraid unless you go for plants such as anubias, java fern and vallis It would be hard to keep most larger sized fish in there.
This sounds perfect for discus in my opinion.

 

[markreefer]

Thanks all. I have kept a 10 gallon planted tank for some years with 15 Neon Cardinals - so nothing too demanding. Have a mind for large shoal of small fish, maybe tetras.

I do like Discus, but I believe they require regular large water changes?

 

[shelaghfishface]

they are very difficult to keep, you would be better off with oscars .. oh yes!!

 

[cheesy feet]

Thanks all. I have kept a 10 gallon planted tank for some years with 15 Neon Cardinals - so nothing too demanding. Have a mind for large shoal of small fish, maybe tetras.

I do like Discus, but I believe they require regular large water changes?

Yes, but when adult every 2-3 weeks is fine, providing your not overstocked and have more than adequate filtration, which you do.When they are young discus are very easy to stunt, and although they could get along fine with 1 water change a week as juvies this would cause long term problems and make them a more triangular shape.

With such a large tank I would not go for tetras, but instead boesmani rainbowfish, they are lovely fish and a shoal of twenty would be fine, leaving space for other fish.

 

[markreefer]

Interesting thanks. How many Discus would my 220 gallons accomodate with the 2 Eheims?

 

[tyyrlym]

With a large tank tetras are exactly what I'd go for. You could keep large schools of several kinds very easily.

 

[drobbyb]

I'm biased of course but rainbows love a long tank. They need clean water like discus do plus they are easy to breed and make money on like I do. Some people keep Discus and rainbows together (although rainbows like water from 72-76 F and discus like it 80-90 F). It's a nice change of pace. A hobby that you already love that pays for itself!

 

[Davo86]

I'm biased of course but rainbows love a long tank. They need clean water like discus do plus they are easy to breed and make money on like I do. Some people keep Discus and rainbows together (although rainbows like water from 72-76 F and discus like it 80-90 F). It's a nice change of pace. A hobby that you already love that pays for itself!

I'd go for maybe 4 large Angels, (plenty of room for territories)
2 pairs of apistos
12 Boesmani Rainbows
6 Denisonii Barbs
6 Golden Panchax
6 Marbled Hatchetfish
6 clown Loach
a trio of albino ancistrus

 

[cheesy feet]

Interesting thanks. How many Discus would my 220 gallons accomodate with the 2 Eheims?

20 adults would be fine.
Imagine 20 of these (spotted snakeskins)
http/www.sunrisetropicals.com/sitebuilde...edFaceLss1L.jpg

Or these (blue snakeskin)
http/fins.actwin.com/fresh-pics/snakeskin_discus.jpg

Or these (wilds)
http/www.chensdiscus.co.uk/wp-content/270949.jpg

Those are just my personal favs, 1000's of morphs out there.You could go for a complete mix and match, although with wilds it would be unwise to mix them with tank-bred variety's.
Yup rainbows are lovely fish, always active and great Hoovers, I keep mine with my discus no problems and have done with others.
His tank size is perfectly fine though, it's long and he has good filtration.

 

[markreefer]

Thanks for some great suggestions. I think I may need two 6' tanks!

 

[drobbyb]

Thanks for some great suggestions. I think I may need two 6' tanks!

The beginning of multiple tank syndrome. I'm a victim myself!