Newbie New Tank And Set Up

[corrina67]

Hi all at last i managed to talk my hubs into updating my biorb to a jewel rekord 96 had it about 2 weeks now and setting it up slowly i still need to put a few more things in it but im not sure what cant make my mind up between wood and slate descisions descions, any way hope you like it constructive critisim welcome
this is my 1st post so i hope piccie appears

 

[Fillet 'O' Fish]

What about using real plants?

Is that mashed potato in the bottom?

 

[corrina67]

had a bad experiance with live plants so not to keen as for the mash i thought it would save me from having to feed the fish i do have some black gravel that will be going on top when set up is complete.

 

[millym]

hi
id probably compact the white stuff down a bit (is it sand??) & id like to see a pic with the gravel on top. im not sure why youre using the white stuff if your going to be putting the gravel in too. i also prefer smooth backgrounds but then thats only my personal taste & i always say its your tank so what you like is what you should have.......keep us updated.
what are you planning on having in there fish wise???

 

[corrina67]

yes i will compact the sand down, im only putting a bit of fine black gravel on top as the sand looks very boring on its own.
As for fish i cant make my mind up i did want a community tank but i seem to be falling in love with cichlids
but im not sure if they easy to keep so just finding info out on them 1st

 

[Cheffi]

yes i will compact the sand down, im only putting a bit of fine black gravel on top as the sand looks very boring on its own.
As for fish i cant make my mind up i did want a community tank but i seem to be falling in love with cichlids
but im not sure if they easy to keep so just finding info out on them 1st

Is there actually any water in there and thats why the sand looks fluffy?

If you decide you want to go for cichlids and choose African then come over to the African Cichlid forum, they are an incredibly knowledgable bunch over there and will be very helpful. If you go for africans you might want to drop the plants as they need rocks and caves to hide in.

 

[saboy]

I would say that there is no water in there ! the sand would compact down when water is added;

 

[Hobbit]

Cichlids are the way to go! ; ) You really have to be carefull with what you choose though, because with a bad mix ture, bad things happen. For example, i had a johannii, and he was in his 'house', a small log, when some weird hybrid i had swam through the middle end. i saw some movement, and he came floating out the other side..... Without his head. aside from species mixtures, watch the size too

 

[babybell911]

I'd put some water in there then the sand will look much better and you probably wont need to the black gravel. As said if your going to go for chiclids then you wont need plants juts rocks and caves.

 

[corrina67]

thank you for your repleys am hoping to have tank filled with water within the next two weeks, i have been on cichilid forum to try and get some info i ony have a 25 gallon tank so i will be looking at the smaller variety does any one have any ideas what i could have my lfs specialises in these fish so i can get a lot of info from them but would appreciate your help to, if so could you give me the proper names and the common name that also would be a great help
many thanks
Corrina

 

[Ginge]

Kribs = Kribenise(i think) would work nicely as a pair or even a few of them or even some rams.

 

[SamUK]

with 25 gallons i think id get a pair of bolivian rams, 6-8 tetras and about 5 corys.

probably got some room to spare there aswell.




as for plants, u really should try them again! u have a proper tank now with built in light so the plants will do jus fine


u dont NEED co2 and special lighting like some people think.

 

[dasmall1]

If your getting cichlids, just get a couple of amazon swords and put fertilizer tabs under them. They'll stay alive just fine.