New Tank

[ProjectMayhem]

Well I just had an e-mail from the manufacturers at Hagen that my 125 litre Fluval Roma tank will be arriving on Saturday. Although there are no pictures yet to post I have planned my tanks set up as below.

Small white gravel set up to make an uneven "wavey" surface.

2 Hygrillias (can't remember the name), Japonicus, Sword Plant, Crimonsette, Dracena & Cabomba 1 of each of these.

I'm thinking a couple of surface plants but I've not picked or ordered any yet and I'm open to suggestions.

2 small moss balls.

6 x Danios (includes 4 I already have)
1 x Gyrinocheilus Aymonieri (it was either this or a plec and I think this looks a lot nicer)
1 x Male Poecilia Reticulata
1 x Male Poecilia Reticulata (Yellow Snakeskin)
2 x Glowlight Tetra
2 x Penguin Tetra
2 x Neon Tetra

1 x Fluval U2 400lph

1 x Deltatherm thermostatic heater

1 x T8 Powerglo light
1 x T8 Arcadia Ocean moonlight light (Central)
1 x T8 Sun Glo light.

So what do you all think??

 

[ZoddyZod]

I would rethink the tetra numbers. These need to be in groups of 6+ of the same species to offer them a better existence.

Also, the U2 is a bit under powered for a 125L. Fluval usually sell the U3 with their 125L tanks.

For the lights, does the new Roma come with fittings for 3 tubes? Previously it was only 2.

 

[ProjectMayhem]

I would rethink the tetra numbers. These need to be in groups of 6+ of the same species to offer them a better existence.

Also, the U2 is a bit under powered for a 125L. Fluval usually sell the U3 with their 125L tanks.

For the lights, does the new Roma come with fittings for 3 tubes? Previously it was only 2.

You're right, this is one is being built for me and will be coming with 3 fittings! Good job I've not bought the filter yet, I'll try a U3 in honesty I was only looking at the lph on the filter.

The Tetra's I thought they were the same species just the colour was different. This is disappointing because I was hoping for a colourful variety.

 

[nehpets81]

Nice tank, it's the same one I have - it came with a U3 filter as mentioned above.

Also, as mentioned above the tetras will be happier in larger groups. I'm not sure about the Gyrinocheilus, I think they might have a rep for getting a bit cranky in old age but I have never had one so will defer to more experienced ppl on that.

One thing I do know, is that the Dracaena is not an aquatic plant - it will last a few months and then rot. I have some Amazon swords which I really like, but have no experience of your other plants.

As for surface plants, I have Salvinia, which is taking over a bit and looks a bit messy imo and Pistia, which is a bit larger and looks more interesting, with it's great hanging roots.

 

[Peggers]

I agree with zoddyzod, get 6 of 1 kind of tetra rather than 2 of each. Also you would be better off with a siamese algae eater (Crossocheilus siamensis) rather than a chinese algae eater (Gyrinocheilus aymonieri).

 

[ProjectMayhem]

Nice tank, it's the same one I have - it came with a U3 filter as mentioned above.

Also, as mentioned above the tetras will be happier in larger groups. I'm not sure about the Gyrinocheilus, I think they might have a rep for getting a bit cranky in old age but I have never had one so will defer to more experienced ppl on that.

One thing I do know, is that the Dracaena is not an aquatic plant - it will last a few months and then rot. I have some Amazon swords which I really like, but have no experience of your other plants.

As for surface plants, I have Salvinia, which is taking over a bit and looks a bit messy imo and Pistia, which is a bit larger and looks more interesting, with it's great hanging roots.

I'll give the Pistia a try, and scrap the Dracaena. The Gyrinocheilus will outgrow the tank anyway and have to be moved to a bigger one when I can afford to invest in a larger one (probably won't be until I move to a new house due to being on an upper floor flat and the weight can't currently be taken without putting a hole in my floor). It should be nice and friendly for a good few years they're very rarely aggressive until they become big since they're algae eaters.

 

[ZoddyZod]

Crossocheilus siamensis is a social fish which prefers to be kept with others of its own kind. It also gets to 6" long, so groups of them in a 125l is not practical or advised.

Are you looking specifically for a fish that will control your algae? If so, have a look at bristlenose plecs. They only get to about 4" max and do not need to be kept in groups. However, you will need to provide them with food to meet their needs.....they get only a small portion of their dietary requirement from algae (as with most 'algae eaters').

 

[Peggers]

I'll give the Pistia a try, and scrap the Dracaena. The Gyrinocheilus will outgrow the tank anyway and have to be moved to a bigger one when I can afford to invest in a larger one (probably won't be until I move to a new house due to being on an upper floor flat and the weight can't currently be taken without putting a hole in my floor). It should be nice and friendly for a good few years they're very rarely aggressive until they become big since they're algae eaters.

Saying you'll buy a bigger tank when necessary isn't the best plan especially as it will involve moving house! (That's dedication to fish keeping)

An algae eater of any sort won't eat all the algae anyway so yo will still have to do practically the same amount of work.

 

[Louiseness]

The Tetra's I thought they were the same species just the colour was different. This is disappointing because I was hoping for a colourful variety.

Sadly not You can do this with platies, guppies or swordtails though, they're just different colour variations of the same thing.

To be honest, though, i thought the same as you at the start (that I wanted lots of different colourful fish) but it just looks kind of....messy. Nowadays I much prefer a nice shoal of the same tetras (or whatever), they look so gorgeous moving together.

Oh and +1 for Bristlenose because they're just good guys all round! (Except the pooping )

 

[ProjectMayhem]

I'll give the Pistia a try, and scrap the Dracaena. The Gyrinocheilus will outgrow the tank anyway and have to be moved to a bigger one when I can afford to invest in a larger one (probably won't be until I move to a new house due to being on an upper floor flat and the weight can't currently be taken without putting a hole in my floor). It should be nice and friendly for a good few years they're very rarely aggressive until they become big since they're algae eaters.

Saying you'll buy a bigger tank when necessary isn't the best plan especially as it will involve moving house! (That's dedication to fish keeping)

An algae eater of any sort won't eat all the algae anyway so yo will still have to do practically the same amount of work.

The Gyrinocheilus is usually only aggressive to large bodied slow fish, the smaller ones in this tank shouldn't be a problem, if it does become a problem then I can deal with it then.

 

[ZoddyZod]

The Gyrinocheilus is usually only aggressive to large bodied slow fish, the smaller ones in this tank shouldn't be a problem, if it does become a problem then I can deal with it then.

that doesn't change the fact that these should really be kept in groups and groups of them dont belong in a 125L.

 

[ProjectMayhem]

that doesn't change the fact that these should really be kept in groups and groups of them dont belong in a 125L.

They don't like being kept in groups of their own kind.

 

[ZoddyZod]

that doesn't change the fact that these should really be kept in groups and groups of them dont belong in a 125L.

They don't like being kept in groups of their own kind.

sorry, have been reading more. I was incorrect to say they couldn't be kept on their own.......but they can also be kept in groups.