Look What I Just Took Delivery Of!

[coldcazzie]

Juwel Rio 180 with Interpet external filter (gonna see how this goes, but despite him telling me that it was "massive!" it's tiny and I don't think it's adequate for a tank this size), heater, light unit (2x 30w as far as I can tell). Cleanup needed as it has been used for marine.

Next question... what do I put in it?!

Option 1
Rio 180 - move stock from 240
22x silvertip tetras (already have these)
22x black neons (already have 10)
12x habrosus corys
1x small plec (clown, pitbull, that sort of thing)
1x keyhole

Rio 240 - new, bigger fish
25-30x columbian redfin tetras/congo tetras
2x honduran red points
4x pictus catfish

Like this option - I can keep most of my intended stock, but also have some larger fish which I'd like, plus I get to keep pictus cats again

Option 2
Rio 240 - keep planned stocking
22x silvertips
22x black neons
22x blue tetras
18x habrosus corys/10x skunk corys
1x keyhole

Rio 180 - do something entirely different
hillstream loaches and WCMM
puffers
suggest me something!

Like this option too, cuz it's a chance to do something utterly different with the second tank...

Can't set it up for a while, need to paint the wall behind it first and sort the floor out where we removed the old fireplace and they had laid floor around it (so there's now a section of laminate missing ). I'll probably fishless cycle it (with some mature media from my APS external) so that gives me plenty of time to decide what to do, what to do, what to dooooooooo

 

[ZoddyZod]

Can't say i like the sound of option 2 for the Rio. Think it might get a bit 'messy'. Do like option 1 though for both.

 

[coldcazzie]

Can't say i like the sound of option 2 for the Rio. Think it might get a bit 'messy'. Do like option 1 though for both.

... which Rio? they're both Rios!

 

[ZoddyZod]

Sorry! The 240. Can see them all mixing and the tank looking a bit 'confused'

Puffers or something equally as odd is a nice idea. Think most of the more colourful are brakish though???

What about Congo tetra and a pair of jewel cichlids? Saw that reco on here earlier and it sounded great

 

[coldcazzie]

Sorry! The 240. Can see them all mixing and the tank looking a bit 'confused'

They already do that... feeding time is awesome!

Puffers or something equally as odd is a nice idea. Think most of the more colourful are brakish though???

I think you're right. I might be persuaded by brackish...

What about Congo tetra and a pair of jewel cichlids? Saw that reco on here earlier and it sounded great

That could work too... there's so many options... I'm really quite taken with the opportunity to keep pictus again if I can. That's the really attractive option at the moment. Think the 180 is big enough for 3 of them?

 

[ZoddyZod]

If brakish is an option then figure 8's are great looking.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

so many options...

Id be tempted to move stock from the 240 > 180 (option 1).

Then doing something with the 240. African cichlids? Discus? 1 ridiculous schoal? Dwarf cichlids? Angel tank? Ahhhh... Hehe

Good luck!

 

[bae1994]

Why not 180 marine

 

[minnnt]

Hrp for sure!

 

[coldcazzie]

Why not 180 marine

Cuz I can't afford marine. Not yet anyway (give me 2-3 years, then I'll be ready).

Hrp for sure!

I knew you would say that!

Definitely liking option 1 at this point. Don't think I could really get away with pictus in the 180, but the extra 9 inch length of the 240 would be better.

Have researched the filter... and will be replacing it with a different one! Either a 2nd hand summat, or another APS external, although undecided about 1000/1400. Can't decide whether to sell this and put the money in the fish fund, or keep it. You know, "just in case"!

How the heck that guy had 6 discus, cardinals and a bunch of cories in this tank with this piddly filter I dread to think!

 

[minnnt]

I wouldn't fancy 30 crf tetras either, go with about 12.

Did I memtion I have some hrp babies for sale?

Verminator has a tetratec 1200 for sale I believe.

 

[coldcazzie]

The redfins were an example, could just as easily be congos or rainbows.... I'd love denisoni barbs but don't think the tank is big enough for a good shoal of them

Ps, interesting...!

 

[ZoddyZod]

hmmmm, what about a sharp contrast to the 240 for your 180? If the 240 will be planted and tetra based, what about a rocky hardscape for the 180 and something suitable for that, like Tangs? Nice cheap scape and low maintenance!

 

[coldcazzie]

hmmmm, what about a sharp contrast to the 240 for your 180? If the 240 will be planted and tetra based, what about a rocky hardscape for the 180 and something suitable for that, like Tangs? Nice cheap scape and low maintenance!

Yeah, see, that was the attraction of the loaches/minnows - external set across one end, plus some extra powerheads, large smooth stones and variety of gravel mixed with a bit of sand, very few plants and just concentrate on the fish.

 

[minnnt]

If going with the larger tetras I wouldn't go for more than 12 whatever you choose. Consider spanner barbs and black ruby barbs. Torpedo's should be ok if you get them small enough for you to have them a few years by which time you could have a 5ft...