grymeths
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- Joined
- Sep 28, 2019
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Hello fellow fishkeepers! This is going to be a long post so please bear with me!
I am new to fishkeeping - used to have them when i was younger but wasn't really paying attention, and was just reintroduced into this world again a few weeks ago! Unfortunately i currently only have a 5 gallon tank (fell into the trap most beginners make), but am super excited to be upgrading to a slightly bigger tank. Been doing a lot of research online recently because i want to start all things right with this tank! However information online has been mixed, so i decided to post here to get advice from more experienced hobbyists, am really thankful in advance for reading my long post
Some things i need help in:
1. Fish stocking
2. Live plants stocking
3. Any miscellaneous, like equipments?
Some information about the tank i'm getting (have not yet purchased as cabinet is on the way, so you can still sway my opinions! haha):
Size: Approx. 60gallons (3ft length, 1.5ft width, 2ft height)
Filter: EHEIM classic 350
Testing kit: API mastertest kit
Other brands/equipments you can recommend: powerhead, LED lights, gravel siphon tubes (for tall tanks please!)
Water: Using tap water, API stress coat (or are there any other recommendations?), and likely photosynthetic bacteria (is this necessary?). Im not really well versed about hardness of water.
A. Some fishes i plan on introducing:
-4 Angelfishes
-4 Yoyo loaches
-1 or 3-4 Bristlenose pleco (any difference between longfin and shortfin?)
-6 to 10 Schooling fishes (looking at harlequin rasboras or black skirt tetras)
-If it is not already overstocked, then perhaps german blue rams or bolivian rams or dwarf gouramis or swordtails or mollies or guppies to add variety
Questions:
1. Will this look to be overstocked? If so, how should the quantity/variety be recalibrated?
2. Are the quantities of each species optimal? Been reading that angelfishes/yoyos/bristlenoses should all be kept in groups, thus the quantity proposed above.
3. Are these species compatible with each other? I am okay with semi-aggressive fishes, as long as they are not harming each other to the point of hiding/death.
4. Would it be a good idea to slowly add in the species? For example, first the bristlenoses, and schooling fishes so they get to a considerable size (and not get eaten up), then next the yoyos and angels so they dont get too territorial? Am planning to get all juvis.
5. Is it really necessary to quarantine the fishes before adding them into the tank?
6. Will the filtration system be sufficient for such kind of bioload?
B. Tank setup/decorations:
I haven't been reading much about the different plant species, but i do know i would love to have my tank live planted with some driftwood or rocks/pebbles. Would love to have any recommendations on any plants species if you are an aquascaping expert!
Questions:
1. Major consideration for the powerhead: I would think it is necessary to move the water and biowaste for the filtration, but also read that angelfishes do not prefer fast moving water especially in such a small tank (actually could anyone tell me if my tank is considered small or big? lol).
2. Is it a good idea to put first a base layer of aquarium soil, and then above it a layer of aquarium gravel (small ones) for the benefit of the plants? Or is it just sufficient to have the live plants on the gravel? Leaning towards just the gravel here for economical and maintenance reasons.
3. Do i need to treat the driftwood purchased from fish stores?
4. Any aquascaping opinions!
5. Really, any advice on any topic/relevance to a new tank setup or things to take note of is really welcome!
Thank you so much in advance, cheers!
I am new to fishkeeping - used to have them when i was younger but wasn't really paying attention, and was just reintroduced into this world again a few weeks ago! Unfortunately i currently only have a 5 gallon tank (fell into the trap most beginners make), but am super excited to be upgrading to a slightly bigger tank. Been doing a lot of research online recently because i want to start all things right with this tank! However information online has been mixed, so i decided to post here to get advice from more experienced hobbyists, am really thankful in advance for reading my long post
Some things i need help in:
1. Fish stocking
2. Live plants stocking
3. Any miscellaneous, like equipments?
Some information about the tank i'm getting (have not yet purchased as cabinet is on the way, so you can still sway my opinions! haha):
Size: Approx. 60gallons (3ft length, 1.5ft width, 2ft height)
Filter: EHEIM classic 350
Testing kit: API mastertest kit
Other brands/equipments you can recommend: powerhead, LED lights, gravel siphon tubes (for tall tanks please!)
Water: Using tap water, API stress coat (or are there any other recommendations?), and likely photosynthetic bacteria (is this necessary?). Im not really well versed about hardness of water.
A. Some fishes i plan on introducing:
-4 Angelfishes
-4 Yoyo loaches
-1 or 3-4 Bristlenose pleco (any difference between longfin and shortfin?)
-6 to 10 Schooling fishes (looking at harlequin rasboras or black skirt tetras)
-If it is not already overstocked, then perhaps german blue rams or bolivian rams or dwarf gouramis or swordtails or mollies or guppies to add variety
Questions:
1. Will this look to be overstocked? If so, how should the quantity/variety be recalibrated?
2. Are the quantities of each species optimal? Been reading that angelfishes/yoyos/bristlenoses should all be kept in groups, thus the quantity proposed above.
3. Are these species compatible with each other? I am okay with semi-aggressive fishes, as long as they are not harming each other to the point of hiding/death.
4. Would it be a good idea to slowly add in the species? For example, first the bristlenoses, and schooling fishes so they get to a considerable size (and not get eaten up), then next the yoyos and angels so they dont get too territorial? Am planning to get all juvis.
5. Is it really necessary to quarantine the fishes before adding them into the tank?
6. Will the filtration system be sufficient for such kind of bioload?
B. Tank setup/decorations:
I haven't been reading much about the different plant species, but i do know i would love to have my tank live planted with some driftwood or rocks/pebbles. Would love to have any recommendations on any plants species if you are an aquascaping expert!
Questions:
1. Major consideration for the powerhead: I would think it is necessary to move the water and biowaste for the filtration, but also read that angelfishes do not prefer fast moving water especially in such a small tank (actually could anyone tell me if my tank is considered small or big? lol).
2. Is it a good idea to put first a base layer of aquarium soil, and then above it a layer of aquarium gravel (small ones) for the benefit of the plants? Or is it just sufficient to have the live plants on the gravel? Leaning towards just the gravel here for economical and maintenance reasons.
3. Do i need to treat the driftwood purchased from fish stores?
4. Any aquascaping opinions!
5. Really, any advice on any topic/relevance to a new tank setup or things to take note of is really welcome!
Thank you so much in advance, cheers!
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