My 55 Gallon Tropical And 20 Gallon Cichlid

[RRasco]

Just changed from gravel to sand. Still a little murky but it cleared up this morning...will get some updated pics of it tonight. and of course a few of my little buddies.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Some Closer:

Angel:

Silvertip:

Striped Raphael:

Black Ghost Knife:

Feeding Time:

And My 20 Gallon Cichlid Tank:

Snow White Socolofi:

I only took one pic of the Cichlids cause they run scared, surprised to see the socolofi pic come out so good. Also couldn't get a non-blurry pic of my rainbow shark as he is a quicken I am going to be changing the substrate in the cichlid tank to Tahitian Moon Sand, and going to be planting in the 55 gallon, a dark background, and of course - better lighting. suggestions and comments welcome...thanks for looking guys.

 

[Loko17]

Lovely tanks, I love your angel and that striped cory looking fish. I like how that white chicilid blends in with that wood. Lovely job on your tanks.

 

[corrosive]

Nice , hey how big will your "Columbian Silvertip Shark" get? Does it need brackish water? Just did a google and all i get are these Mammoth sharks about 2meters long lol.

 

[RRasco]

i know they can get to 12". they also have a different name i believe, that was just the name i had for them years ago when i used to buy them...let me see if i cant track it down properly.

ah ha....i always knew them as Silvertip Sharks, then saw Colombian Shark somewhere, and made up my own....Colombian Silvertip Shark.....also known as Black Tip Shark..

http/www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Di....cfm?pCatId=936

 

[corrosive]

Ah yeah, i remember them now! I was obsessed about getting them, but then i found out they wer brackish and 12" not 6" like my LFS said.

thanks bud.

 

[RRasco]

whats brackish mean? i have a bit of experience, but my terminology is limited.

 

[vancouver]

It means they require salt..

Heres a pic of one that was kept in freshwater.. they get skin conditions that eventually kill them

I do believe they are a schooling fish, but I'm not 100% positive on that.

 

[RRasco]

well that sucks, i had no intention of putting salt in my tank.....and i dont think my other fish can handle it. i have seen that on a few of my other fish, including my cichlids, but have heard they will be fine without it. any suggestions?

 

[jayjay]

Yeah they are brackish, use marine salt, get a hydrometer and find out the salinity the fish needs. Though salt is very bad for catfish like your plec and raphael.

 

[RRasco]

Yeah they are brackish, use marine salt, get a hydrometer and find out the salinity the fish needs. Though salt is very bad for catfish like your plec and raphael.

so im pretty much screwed one way or another?

 

[jayjay]

Well personally i'd get rid of the silvertip, it's just easier IMO.

 

[RRasco]

ive come to this conclusion too...but i really like this fish....seems only other solution is to set up another tank, no wonder people have so many tanks.

 

[RRasco]

you know, now that i think of it, the silvertip is considered a catfish as well. so if i add salt to the current setup it will mess with my other fish?

 

[vancouver]

I don't think rainbow sharks or ghost knifes like salt.. the rafael might also not like salt.

 

[jayjay]

No it will be good for the silvertip as they are from brackish water, the others are from the Amazon where they have evoled without having to cope with salt..