New 3Ft Community Tank Ideas

[DinPerth]

Hi all,

I am still very new to the hobby and have had a small tank for the last 4 months.

Yesterday I purchased a 3ft x 1.5ft x 1.5ft tank, I would like to move my current fish to the new tank and I am looking for compatible tank mates.
I currently have:
1 x Rainbow Shark
2 x Rosy Barbs
2 x Tiger Barbs

I am definitely going to use sand on the bottom (I got 20kg for $8 at a local hardware store)

I will be using my media for my current filter into a new Eheim 2213 canister and from what I understand is that my fish can go straight in and I will need to build up the community slowly.

All thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

OH 1 other thing at the moment I am not going to be doing a planted tank, I have tried with plants a few times before and have not been successful, I might have a couple of hardy plants left in there pots but other than fake plants that will be it.

Cheers

Duncan

 

[dbanner]

This tank is not going to be big enough for the shark I'm afraid, this is because as they get older they become very territorial tiger barbs are known for fin nipping and need to be in larger groups to minimise aggression. You need at least 6 but the more the better. Pretty sure the rosys need to be in larger groups as well. Also if they are long finned rosys then there will be a good chance the tigers will nip their fins. As for using sand and fake plants thats fine.

 

[DinPerth]

This tank is not going to be big enough for the shark I'm afraid, this is because as they get older they become very territorial tiger barbs are known for fin nipping and need to be in larger groups to minimise aggression. You need at least 6 but the more the better. Pretty sure the rosys need to be in larger groups as well. Also if they are long finned rosys then there will be a good chance the tigers will nip their fins. As for using sand and fake plants thats fine.

Hi dbanner,

Thanks for the info, Ref: the rainbow shark what sort of size tank do you think he will need? and I guess how long do you think I would be able to keep him in the 3ft tank?

With the rosy barbs they are the long finned kind but they have been in my small tank for 4+ months (got them and the tigers together) and have not had any issues with the tigers, do the tigers get nipper as they get older?

Any idea how many tigers and barbs I could keep in the 3ft tank or to be safe should I find one type a new home if possible.

Cheers

Duncan

 

[Tizer]

I would recommend offloading the Tiger barbs for a more suitable community fish, i had 18 in my tank and they still have a go at other fish so it doesn't really matter how many you have, they will still nip. Have a look at Pentazona Barbs instead, you could get a nice little group in there, if you like them.

 

[DinPerth]

Hi Tizer,

Thanks for the info I will check them out, I have to say your tank blog gave me loads of inspiration, I was reading it all of last night, great work.

Cheers

Duncan

 

[dbanner]

I would of thought around 300 - 400 litres to be on the safe side for the shark as this would give them plenty of room to make their own. You'd be locking around a tank of 4ftx2ftx2ft. And as for the tigers, as tizer has said i would re home them if possible and look into getting something more peaceful this forum is full of very knowledgable people such as tizer that will guide you in the right direction. I have never looked back starting the fish keeping hobby and joining this forum

 

[DinPerth]

Cheers dbanner,

The tiger's are being re-homed, hopefully next week, I have looked at the life span of the Rainbow Shark (Craig) and I think he should be ok for 6 month to a year, and considering the wife picked him out I have a great reason to upgrade to a larger tank.

Thanks for all the help, I swear I have not looked at another website in about 4 days, I can't stop reading all the great info on here.

Cheers

Duncan

 

[dbanner]

I know what you mean, this forum is very addictive. My girlfriend knows exactly what I'm doing now if I pick up the tablet pc or if I'm looking on my phone for a while lol she is always saying im never happy with my tanks and that I always want to go bigger. I upgraded from my 250 litre today, got a nice 5ftLx2ftWx20inch high (at least i think that's how high it is lol) that iv been waiting for since paying for it nearly 2 weeks back. it's a juwel rio 400 (450 litre) which came with the stand, sand, 2 300 watt heaters, 2 working lid lights, loads of bogwood and a fluval fx5 external filter... All for £200. The guy needed it gone as he was moving abroad for work, anyway so im happy.... For a while I love coming on here and reading all the new topics and seeing pictures of people's tanks and fish. My favourite fish have got to be cichlids like jack dempseys, oscars, green terrors, red devils and dovii's but the one I like the most has to be the jaguar would love one

 

[Tizer]

oooh nice find db, the Rio's are pretty good tanks. Not my kinda stand, but the glass is top notch. Looking forward to a blog

 

[dbanner]

Thanks... My brother found it and then mentioned it to me I'm not keen on the stand but does the job. I'm happy as its the biggest tank iv had and the biggest I'm ever likely to have. Unless of course I move into a house with more room ah well you've upped my confidence about the tank if anything by saying about the glass. I had a juwel vision 180 then a vision 260 before this and never had any problems with either. Bought my background for the rio today. It's not a fancy 3d or anything it's just I norm stick on the back 1 with different designs on each side, I'm sure it will be better than nothing at all though

 

[dbanner]

Iv not got the oscar in 1 of the pics anymore, just the plec and 3 snakeheads. The pics of them were taken in my old tank.

 

[DinPerth]

Thats looking really cool DB, I love the snake heads might have to research those.

I have some good news, due to the wife picking out Criag (rainbow shark) I advised her our new 3ft tank isn't bigger enough, so she said "get a bigger tank then" just looking now at a 300L tank which hopefully I will get at the weekend.

Looking at a 6' x 14" x 18" (no stand) and can get it for about $155 (about 90quid) that should hold around 300L so I am well happy today and means I can have sooooo many more fish.

Tigers are also going this weekend, so I guess once I get it I will start up a setting up thread.

Cheers

Duncan

 

[dbanner]

Thanks. Ah wicked m8, that will be much better. Will be great for the shark, just make sure you give him plenty of places to hide you shouldn't have any problems. Will look forward to selling your new tank mate

 

[DinPerth]

Hey DB this will be the link for my tank log Have stated with a bit of background and the idea going forward, still trying to right compatiable tank mates for Craig as now the whole tank will centre round him, which on the bright side keeps the Missus happy and involved.

 

[dbanner]

Cool. Will look forward to seeing your new tank. To me I can't think of much that's better than getting a binge big tank to scape and fill with the fish you want.