Greg_DS
Fish Fanatic
Well here's my first tank, been keeping fish for around 3 months and this is now fully stocked, looking for suggestions on additional decor??
My First Tank, Opinions?
- Thread starter Greg_DS
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Tizer
Team TetraTEC
Not bad at all mate, a little too "uniform" for my liking and could do with a black background (imo) but nice enough. 
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Greg_DS
Fish Fanatic
Not bad at all mate, a little too "uniform" for my liking and could do with a black background (imo) but nice enough.
I had one of those plant picture backgrounds but it looked rubbish so pulled it off, I did see a tank with just plain black so might take your advice there.
Add plain black background, a piece of bogwood and more live plants.
Are those honey gouramis or dwarf gouramis? Regardless of the species, the tank looks like it can take 1-2 males as a maximum, and only 2 males if there are 4+ females.
If those are adult honey gourami males (50 mm long), then the tank is around 30 cm long? Not anywhere near tall enough for adult angels. I don't consider 80-100 cm to be long enough either.
If there are only two angels, and they are not a (proven breeding) pair, then one is extremely likely to harass the other one to death, which is why it is generally recommended that angels are either kept on their own (worst), in a proven breeding pair or in groups of 6+ (best).
Rummy nose tetras are a good choice. I can only see three, how many do you have? They should be kept in groups of at least 6 and ideally 10+.
It's nice that you have added such bushy fake plants, the fish do benefit from the cover.
Maybe move one of the rocks in front of the filter inlet? It might be a good idea to have the heater closer to the inlet and positioned horizontally.
Are those honey gouramis or dwarf gouramis? Regardless of the species, the tank looks like it can take 1-2 males as a maximum, and only 2 males if there are 4+ females.
If those are adult honey gourami males (50 mm long), then the tank is around 30 cm long? Not anywhere near tall enough for adult angels. I don't consider 80-100 cm to be long enough either.
If there are only two angels, and they are not a (proven breeding) pair, then one is extremely likely to harass the other one to death, which is why it is generally recommended that angels are either kept on their own (worst), in a proven breeding pair or in groups of 6+ (best).
Rummy nose tetras are a good choice. I can only see three, how many do you have? They should be kept in groups of at least 6 and ideally 10+.
It's nice that you have added such bushy fake plants, the fish do benefit from the cover.
Maybe move one of the rocks in front of the filter inlet? It might be a good idea to have the heater closer to the inlet and positioned horizontally.
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Greg_DS
Fish Fanatic
I did have live plants but they kept willting so took them out, still have the moss though.
There Dwarf's and there's 3 in there, they don't really bother each other, I got them before I really knew what I was doing but thankfully it hasn't worked out badly.
The tank is 120cm long, (Fluval Roma 240) maybe the pic is making it look smaller??
The Angels are a pair (haven't bred as of yet though), I loitered around the LFS for ages watching then choose them. Never a sign of aggression between them
There's 8 rummys, you can see the rest on the left hand side in front of the tall rock.
The fake plants are much better than I expected, the fish love them, think I'll add more.
Thanks for the advice!!
There Dwarf's and there's 3 in there, they don't really bother each other, I got them before I really knew what I was doing but thankfully it hasn't worked out badly.
The tank is 120cm long, (Fluval Roma 240) maybe the pic is making it look smaller??
The Angels are a pair (haven't bred as of yet though), I loitered around the LFS for ages watching then choose them. Never a sign of aggression between them
There's 8 rummys, you can see the rest on the left hand side in front of the tall rock.
The fake plants are much better than I expected, the fish love them, think I'll add more.
Thanks for the advice!!
Awesome, that tank is pretty much perfect for the angels and the dwarfs have a relatively high chance of success in a tank that size (even though all three are probably male based on the colouration)
I would personally go for 15 rummy noses in a tank that size and with that stocking, they would school better and would feel more secure.
What's your pH and do you know the hardness? For how many hours are the lights on each day? Are they on a time? We might be able to suggest some plants
p.s. if those aren't, have a look at silk plants.. someone on here has some which look almost real!
(even though all three are probably male based on the colouration)I would personally go for 15 rummy noses in a tank that size and with that stocking, they would school better and would feel more secure.
What's your pH and do you know the hardness? For how many hours are the lights on each day? Are they on a time? We might be able to suggest some plants
p.s. if those aren't, have a look at silk plants.. someone on here has some which look almost real!
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Greg_DS
Fish Fanatic
They are all males, in the early days I had one but decided he needed buddys, learned to research more after that. I have a few more fish than it appears in the photo, like I said they like the fake plants so there always in there lol
Full list is....
2 x Angels
2 x Blue Rams
2 x Apistogramma Agassizii
3 x Upsidedown Catfish
3 x Dwarf Gourami
2 x Leopard Perch/Gourami
8 x Rummy Nose Tetras
1 x Bamboo Shrimp
I considered that fully stocked when all fully grown?? I'd happily up the numbers of the tetras, really like them if there's room.
PH is 6.8-7, not sure on hardness, lights tend to be on 6-8 hours a day, no timer.
Those ones are plastic, they look good considering, never seen silk ones apart from on-line.
Thanks
Full list is....
2 x Angels
2 x Blue Rams
2 x Apistogramma Agassizii
3 x Upsidedown Catfish
3 x Dwarf Gourami
2 x Leopard Perch/Gourami
8 x Rummy Nose Tetras
1 x Bamboo Shrimp
I considered that fully stocked when all fully grown?? I'd happily up the numbers of the tetras, really like them if there's room.
PH is 6.8-7, not sure on hardness, lights tend to be on 6-8 hours a day, no timer.
Those ones are plastic, they look good considering, never seen silk ones apart from on-line.
Thanks
In terms of numbers, I think your current stocking is good. In terms of species, I like to see fewer species and more fish per species where they are social. As it is, I doubt you'd have a problem adding another couple of rummy noses, but you should only consider it if you are confident about it. If I had live plants, I probably wouldn't have a problem adding a few more fish, but if you don't think that you should for the moment, then it's best that you don't.
Your problems with plants could have been partially caused by irregular lighting times. I feel that it's also better for the fish to have consistent lighting too and timers are quite cheap. You might have luck with Crypt. wendtii, Anubias and Java moss in your tank, given that the moss balls seem to do well. Note that Crypts will often melt when first added.
Your leopard perch/gourami, is it a Ctenopoma acutirostre? Those fish are predators and apparently, at 7 cm, can eat a 3 cm torpedo-shaped fish and at 12 cm, a "medium sized" (I'm thinking 4 cm) full bodied tetra. Apparently, they will also try to eat fully grown rummy-nosed tetra-sized and -shaped fish, harassing them to death in the process. Also, from what I've heard over the years, they're more likely to be placid if they're well fed and their tank mates are fat.. but obesity will cause fish harm, so this isn't a great method to use.
Your problems with plants could have been partially caused by irregular lighting times. I feel that it's also better for the fish to have consistent lighting too and timers are quite cheap. You might have luck with Crypt. wendtii, Anubias and Java moss in your tank, given that the moss balls seem to do well. Note that Crypts will often melt when first added.
Your leopard perch/gourami, is it a Ctenopoma acutirostre? Those fish are predators and apparently, at 7 cm, can eat a 3 cm torpedo-shaped fish and at 12 cm, a "medium sized" (I'm thinking 4 cm) full bodied tetra. Apparently, they will also try to eat fully grown rummy-nosed tetra-sized and -shaped fish, harassing them to death in the process. Also, from what I've heard over the years, they're more likely to be placid if they're well fed and their tank mates are fat.. but obesity will cause fish harm, so this isn't a great method to use.
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Greg_DS
Fish Fanatic
Thanks for the advice there
Regarding the Leopard fish yes it is "Ctenopoma acutirostre", when I researched it originally I gathered anything bigger than a neon would be OK, the biggest one is around 2.5/3 inch and having seen the size of his mouth when he fully opens it I do think he could take the rummys very soon
Unsure what to do though, my LFS won't take fish and I have no friends who are keepers.
Regarding the Leopard fish yes it is "Ctenopoma acutirostre", when I researched it originally I gathered anything bigger than a neon would be OK, the biggest one is around 2.5/3 inch and having seen the size of his mouth when he fully opens it I do think he could take the rummys very soon
Unsure what to do though, my LFS won't take fish and I have no friends who are keepers.
Have you tried advertising them on here? They really are lovely fish in the right tank and healthy ones should be in decent demand. Also try aquarist-classifieds and if that doesn't work, eBay. If you just want to give away the fish for free, then 1p starting bid on eBay apparently works moderately well.
Twinklecaz is the person I was thinking of, and their tank can be seen at http
/imageshack.us/f/155/newtank.jpg/
nurglespuss
Fish Gatherer
I rather like this tank
Simple and effective, if it were me I would keep up with the plastic plants, you've chosen good ones there, and its low maintainance for now.
If i were to rearrange at all, I would group the plants slightly off centreand bring those rocks closer together near their base, and if you can add a feww smaller rocks/shorter plants closer to the foreground to give a sense of depth.
Agree on the dark background, it does highlight things! its getting harder to find it now, but allpondsolutions sells it I believe (and some nice rocky background that I'm going for.
Great job!
Simple and effective, if it were me I would keep up with the plastic plants, you've chosen good ones there, and its low maintainance for now.
If i were to rearrange at all, I would group the plants slightly off centreand bring those rocks closer together near their base, and if you can add a feww smaller rocks/shorter plants closer to the foreground to give a sense of depth.
Agree on the dark background, it does highlight things! its getting harder to find it now, but allpondsolutions sells it I believe (and some nice rocky background that I'm going for.
Great job!
steve_jones83
New Member
Nice tank mate, would like a couple more live plants and maybe some wood, but that personal preference. Great tank mate well done
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Greg_DS
Fish Fanatic
Thanks guys!! Sadly the Leopard Perch/Gourami did indeed eat one of the Rummys Caught him in a corner with the tail hanging out his mouth. Trying to catch the remainder and stick them upstairs.
Sadly the Leopard Perch/Gourami did indeed eat one of the Rummys Caught him in a corner with the tail hanging out his mouth. Trying to catch the remainder and stick them upstairs.
TropicalLad21
Fish Crazy
Really nice looking tank - good job!
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