Help With Ideas For New Tank

[dirtydog]

im setting up a new 3ft tank at the moment. I have my heart set on cory cats so I have gone for sand substrate (about 1.5").
Im a bit stuck on how to scape it though, I have some cobbles from someone elses tank which I think would look nice if I can stick them together to make some hidy holes and I have some slate that i can also use.
I wasnt going to plant the tank as my other tank has plants and Id rather create some more hiding places for fish - any ideas/pics?

Im also desperate to get Rams in this tank but what other fish could I put with rams and corys and how many rams should I put in?

thank - as always

 

[rdd1952]

Most any community fish would go well with them. Tetras, rasboras, danios, rainbows, livebearers, etc. Even though the rams are cichlids, they are peaceful (may get a little territorial when maitng).

 

[Jozlyn]

I'd only go for a pair of Rams 1 male, 1 female. Admitidly my tank is not quite as big as yours at 2'6", but I had 3 female rams given to my by the LFS (as they sold the pair I ordered!) and they chased/harrased each other to death, so now I have only 1, I'm going to get a male this week and leave it at that. But you could get a pair of Kribensis as well, the males are a bit drab but the females are really pretty, a pair of them should get along with Rams ok.

Make sure you plenty of research on the fish you want before you get them and don't rely on what the people at the LFS tell you, they often don't know much themselves and are running a business, so profit it generaly their main concern!

 

[dirtydog]

I'd only go for a pair of Rams 1 male, 1 female. Admitidly my tank is not quite as big as yours at 2'6", but I had 3 female rams given to my by the LFS (as they sold the pair I ordered!) and they chased/harrased each other to death, so now I have only 1, I'm going to get a male this week and leave it at that. But you could get a pair of Kribensis as well, the males are a bit drab but the females are really pretty, a pair of them should get along with Rams ok.

Make sure you plenty of research on the fish you want before you get them and don't rely on what the people at the LFS tell you, they often don't know much themselves and are running a business, so profit it generaly their main concern!

yeah thats what I had found, funnily enough I was researching kribs last night and they look really nice. I was considering a pair of rams and a pair of kribs plus the cories. I could always add rummynose if I have any room left (got cardinals in my other tank).
I sort of ignore my LFS although they are nice I tend to find out on my own anyway.

what sort of setup would be best do you think? I was going to go with no plants but if all these fish would prefer plants then I'll consider a planted tank but I was initially aiming for lots of caves only - i might use some clay pots etc as I dont mind the look of the tank with these in.

 

[babybell911]

Coconut caves covered in java moss look nice and are a good place for kribs to breed in.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yeah thats what I had found, funnily enough I was researching kribs last night and they look really nice. I was considering a pair of rams and a pair of kribs plus the cories. I could always add rummynose if I have any room left (got cardinals in my other tank).
I sort of ignore my LFS although they are nice I tend to find out on my own anyway.

what sort of setup would be best do you think? I was going to go with no plants but if all these fish would prefer plants then I'll consider a planted tank but I was initially aiming for lots of caves only - i might use some clay pots etc as I dont mind the look of the tank with these in.

sounds like a nice set up stocking wise

i like to mix the sand in with a few handfulls of natural colored gravel and some larger pebbles, gives a nice natural look to have that graduation of sizes.

the rams, cories and kribs will like plenty of cover so lots of caves and rocks to hide around would be good, i would put in some plants too, nothing fancy just a handful of amazon swords or something like that to give a bit more cover

 

[Jozlyn]

Well I've been thinking of getting rid of my gravel and changing to sand, 'cause it's easier to clean, so if you haven't set up your substrate why not try sand.

As for the fish themselves, lots and lots of caves for them to choose between so they don't fight over them and lots of plants to break up line of site even tho they're supposed to both be peacful, they're still cichlids and liable to fight especialy during mating times. But I should think all would be well

Keep us posted on what you decide to do, I'd be interested in seeing how they get along as I'm really interested in getting a pair of Krib's myself.

 

[dirtydog]

i thought I had replied to this but I cant find it now.
my LFS tell me that Rams can be kept as pairs (so 2 4 6 etc) without problems, id like to research this 1st though. they had gold, purple and some other rams instock and they look lovely! they also had some kribs but were both females so i couldnt see a male but they are a possibility.

ive already laid the sand in on monday and its has settled ok but no filer on yet - i need to scape in the next day or 2 and then add water. I will get some amazons i think as they look nice and grow quite well in my other tank with low lighting.

now i need to find the right ammonia, build a hood and get some starters/tubes