Cold Water To Tropical

[trippytrance]

I'm in the process of turning my 4ft into a tropical and could do with some advise from all you great peeps..

My tank dimensions are: L120cm X H62cm X D50cm. I make it around 300L give or take.

I'm in the process or ordering a 300w Eheim Jager.

I want to create a community tank as I have been fascinated by the different spices that are available. The stocking I was thinking of are:

2 Blue Gourami

6 Tiger Barbs

1 Red Tail Black Shark

2 African Butterfly Cichlid

2 German Blue Rams

and maybe a Severum

I used aqdvisor to create the above list but wanted some opinions from all you experience fish keepers as to if the above will be ok in a community?? or am i barking up the wrong tree!!

 

[Aquamaniac]

Ok i don't know or had all the fishes on your list.
Had 2 gouramis and in my case one of them always beat the other one untill i got tired and gave them both away.They can be a bit agressive to their own kind.
Always hear the red tail shark is a bit territorial specically when younger.But some people do keep them sucessfully in comunity tanks.
Never had any of the other ones.

 

[trippytrance]

See now seeing mixed messages, I'v read that they can live peacfully in a community but have also read some people saying they could be a bit agressive....

 

[Aquamaniac]

well that's the point of the forum. we share our experience's its not really an exact science. there will be people who could not keep them together and people who did.For you the good is you can hear both opinions and learn from it.

 

[KittyKat]

I'm in the process of turning my 4ft into a tropical and could do with some advise from all you great peeps..

My tank dimensions are: L120cm X H62cm X D50cm. I make it around 300L give or take.

I'm in the process or ordering a 300w Eheim Jager.

First thing, stop right there! Unless you are going to use a sump, you should try to get two heaters, so that there is less chance of fish deaths if one breaks and so that the water is more evenly heated. Position one at each end of the tank. 120*60*50 / 1000 = 360 litres so I would want a 200w and a 150w heater for the average house, or 2* 200w or a 200w + 250w for a cold house.

I want to create a community tank as I have been fascinated by the different spices that are available. The stocking I was thinking of are:

So, lets have a look at the species..

2 Blue Gourami - Trichogaster trichopterus, better to go for 1m 2f because if there is more than one male, they will fight and apparently it's more likely for the female to be aggressive if there is only one

6 Tiger Barbs - schooling fish, 6 is absolute minimum, 10-15+ is a better minimum; in a tank that size, you don't have any excuse for keeping under 10; may nip in smaller numbers, so 15-20 is a better choice, if possible

1 Red Tail Black Shark - evil, evil fish, but will probably work with the gouramis and barbs

2 African Butterfly Cichlid - another evil fish, I recommend you stay away from this one… probably won't be any good with the gouramis

2 German Blue Rams - not compatible with the shark or barbs, I recommend a group of 3m and 3f if you go for them, with tetras instead of barbs and hatchetfish instead of gouramis

and maybe a Severum - not compatible with any of the above, to be honest..

I used aqdvisor to create the above list but wanted some opinions from all you experience fish keepers as to if the above will be ok in a community?? or am i barking up the wrong tree!!

For the sake of your fish, stay away from that website: I have not seen someone come back from there with a good stocking.

So, based on your wants, if I was stocking that tank, then I'd think about:
* 1m 2f Trichogaster trichopterus
* 1 shark (I'd probably go for the species with red dorsal and tail, not just the tail)
* 25-35 tiger barbs

If I was stocking it for myself, I would take rasboras instead of barbs and 10 loaches instead of shark.

 

[trippytrance]

I'm in the process of turning my 4ft into a tropical and could do with some advise from all you great peeps..

My tank dimensions are: L120cm X H62cm X D50cm. I make it around 300L give or take.

I'm in the process or ordering a 300w Eheim Jager.

First thing, stop right there! Unless you are going to use a sump, you should try to get two heaters, so that there is less chance of fish deaths if one breaks and so that the water is more evenly heated. Position one at each end of the tank. 120*60*50 / 1000 = 360 litres so I would want a 200w and a 150w heater for the average house, or 2* 200w or a 200w + 250w for a cold house.

Thanks I'll look at getting 2, I'll get 200w and 150w as I think our flat is quiet warm but will have check in the winter months.

I want to create a community tank as I have been fascinated by the different spices that are available. The stocking I was thinking of are:

So, lets have a look at the species..

2 Blue Gourami - Trichogaster trichopterus, better to go for 1m 2f because if there is more than one male, they will fight and apparently it's more likely for the female to be aggressive if there is only one

Cheers will look at getting 3

6 Tiger Barbs - schooling fish, 6 is absolute minimum, 10-15+ is a better minimum; in a tank that size, you don't have any excuse for keeping under 10; may nip in smaller numbers, so 15-20 is a better choice, if possible

Great will look at getting 10+

1 Red Tail Black Shark - evil, evil fish, but will probably work with the gouramis and barbs


2 African Butterfly Cichlid - another evil fish, I recommend you stay away from this one… probably won't be any good with the gouramis

Thanks for the advise, I will stay away

2 German Blue Rams - not compatible with the shark or barbs, I recommend a group of 3m and 3f if you go for them, with tetras instead of barbs and hatchetfish instead of gouramis

May have a think as the other half does like tetras!!

and maybe a Severum - not compatible with any of the above, to be honest..

I have read but I knew that website was too good to be true

I used aqdvisor to create the above list but wanted some opinions from all you experience fish keepers as to if the above will be ok in a community?? or am i barking up the wrong tree!!

For the sake of your fish, stay away from that website: I have not seen someone come back from there with a good stocking.

I will sure stay away from this site and come here for more advise

So, based on your wants, if I was stocking that tank, then I'd think about:
* 1m 2f Trichogaster trichopterus
* 1 shark (I'd probably go for the species with red dorsal and tail, not just the tail)
* 25-35 tiger barbs

Would you reccomend any other with the above 3?

If I was stocking it for myself, I would take rasboras instead of barbs and 10 loaches instead of shark.

Aint a fan of loaches but may consider..

 

[KittyKat]

So, based on your wants, if I was stocking that tank, then I'd think about:
* 1m 2f Trichogaster trichopterus
* 1 shark (I'd probably go for the species with red dorsal and tail, not just the tail)
* 25-35 tiger barbs

Would you reccomend any other with the above 3?

No: the shark will most likely become too aggressive for anything else on the bottom as they tend to become very territorial with age; the barbs will not do as well in small groups, although consider 50% one colour morph and 50% in another or 10 per colour, if you want 3; gouramis are normally too aggressive to have anything else at the top.

Depending on the temperament of the individuals, it may be possible to add more mid-surface fish 6-12 months down the line.

 

[trippytrance]

So, based on your wants, if I was stocking that tank, then I'd think about:
* 1m 2f Trichogaster trichopterus
* 1 shark (I'd probably go for the species with red dorsal and tail, not just the tail)
* 25-35 tiger barbs

Would you reccomend any other with the above 3?

No: the shark will most likely become too aggressive for anything else on the bottom as they tend to become very territorial with age; the barbs will not do as well in small groups, although consider 50% one colour morph and 50% in another or 10 per colour, if you want 3; gouramis are normally too aggressive to have anything else at the top.

Depending on the temperament of the individuals, it may be possible to add more mid-surface fish 6-12 months down the line.

Thanks kittykat, I may re-think the whole list and see what else I could have instead...

Any ideas of community fish will be much appreciated from all....?

 

[KittyKat]

Tetras, rasboras, SA dwarf cichlids, rainbows, livebearers, loaches, Corys, some plecos all make good community fish, although not at the same time and most need to be kept in specific numbers and/or sexes.

What is your tap water pH after the water has sat for 24 hours in a glass? Do you plan to use bogwood or rocks? Do you like to see the tannin tinge to the water?

 

[trippytrance]

Tetras, rasboras, SA dwarf cichlids, rainbows, livebearers, loaches, Corys, some plecos all make good community fish, although not at the same time and most need to be kept in specific numbers and/or sexes.

What is your tap water pH after the water has sat for 24 hours in a glass? Do you plan to use bogwood or rocks? Do you like to see the tannin tinge to the water?

I'v got some tap water sitting in a glass and will test ph 2moro.

I do have a piece of bogwood and I'm getting a few more piece's. I do have a big rock in my tank alreday, not sure what type it is as it came with my old 3ft. I would like to add more rocks at some point. I think I will boil/soak the bogwood as I wont like the tannin in the water.

 

[KittyKat]

I do have a piece of bogwood and I'm getting a few more piece's. I do have a big rock in my tank alreday, not sure what type it is as it came with my old 3ft. I would like to add more rocks at some point. I think I will boil/soak the bogwood as I wont like the tannin in the water.

If you boil it, the wood will only be more likely to rot as you'll be breaking it down. The best way to remove tannins is to soak the wood in water and regularly change it. Tannic acid will lower the pH and KH, making the water more suitable for soft water (SA) fish. Many SA fish (tetras, dwarf cichlids and to some extent Corys) do better in tannin rich waters.

Have you done a vinegar test on the rock? If not, take it out and do one. When getting new rock, keep in mind that reef bones will cause the pH to rise, while granite and slate will normally not affect the water.

 

[trippytrance]

I do have a piece of bogwood and I'm getting a few more piece's. I do have a big rock in my tank alreday, not sure what type it is as it came with my old 3ft. I would like to add more rocks at some point. I think I will boil/soak the bogwood as I wont like the tannin in the water.

If you boil it, the wood will only be more likely to rot as you'll be breaking it down. The best way to remove tannins is to soak the wood in water and regularly change it. Tannic acid will lower the pH and KH, making the water more suitable for soft water (SA) fish. Many SA fish (tetras, dwarf cichlids and to some extent Corys) do better in tannin rich waters.

Have you done a vinegar test on the rock? If not, take it out and do one. When getting new rock, keep in mind that reef bones will cause the pH to rise, while granite and slate will normally not affect the water.

Thanks for the heads up about the boiling of bogwood, I may just soak it when I get new piece's. Depending on my water ph test I will either soak or put into tank to lower ph.

Not done the vinegar test on the rock but sure will do that when I get a chance.

 

[Hermithall]

Here's my experience keeping my 3 year old redtail black shark, which I've had from it being a tiny juvenile to adult. As a juvenile he would mix with ANY other fish, then gradually became more and more aggressive until at around 3+ inches he would tolerate no other fish of equal/smaller size, apart from bottom dwelling catfish. Strangely, he is still absolutely fine with corys and bristlenose catfish (now his only tankmates).
He's spent his whole life in a 180 litre tank and has forced me to re-home most of his fellow occupants along the way. He was particularly vile to gouramis and tiger barbs. I never considered re-homing the redtail because he is a magnificent fish, but I would say be careful when you consider this fish as your choices for tankmates will probably become very limited.
A word on gourami aggression - if you do end up with more males than females, as I did through poor sexing, don't worry too much about aggression, it's pitifully mild among trichogasters - at least in my experience it was.

 

[trippytrance]

Here's my experience keeping my 3 year old redtail black shark, which I've had from it being a tiny juvenile to adult. As a juvenile he would mix with ANY other fish, then gradually became more and more aggressive until at around 3+ inches he would tolerate no other fish of equal/smaller size, apart from bottom dwelling catfish. Strangely, he is still absolutely fine with corys and bristlenose catfish (now his only tankmates).
He's spent his whole life in a 180 litre tank and has forced me to re-home most of his fellow occupants along the way. He was particularly vile to gouramis and tiger barbs. I never considered re-homing the redtail because he is a magnificent fish, but I would say be careful when you consider this fish as your choices for tankmates will probably become very limited.
A word on gourami aggression - if you do end up with more males than females, as I did through poor sexing, don't worry too much about aggression, it's pitifully mild among trichogasters - at least in my experience it was.

Thanks so much for you input, I think I will be leaving the shark well alone now..Maybe later on when I have more tanks

I'm re-thinking of my stocking since I was advised by Kittykat about the incompatibility with the list I had.

 

[Hermithall]

Probably wise to pass on the shark, have fun and happy stocking mate