What Would You Do With A 125L Tank?

[jennybugs]

I have one of two tanks to replan - either (most likely) my 125L Fluval Duo Deep or my Akva Stabil Effectline 180L tall tank - and I am looking for new fish to try.

I have either thought of brackish in the form of a gsp or marine so thought I'd ask all you brackish fans what you'd do with either of these tanks, brackish wise

I have F8 puffers with bbg's and Florida Flagfish at present in a different tank and I'd love to hear what you'd do if you were in my shoes

Thankyou peeps in advance

 

[nmonks]

Partly, it depends on what decorations you can lay your hands on. If you're not far from the sea, then creating a rock pool type environment with lots of rocks, empty whelk and oyster shells, driftwood, and so on could be a lot of fun. I did this at university, and even had a guillemot skull in the tank! Rocks around the edges, like an amphitheatre, and then open sand in the centre, and you have a nice arrangement for things like gobies, flounders and some surface dwellers like wrestling halfbeaks.

If that sort of thing isn't doable, then it comes down to whether you want plants or rocks. With plants, there's mileage to be had creating a bayou style aquarium. Florida flagfish, various gobies, mollies, sleepers and so on would work here nicely. Vallisneria is a good substitute for turtle grass, and since the salinity required would be low, this plant should do very well. You could add some hardy Crypts and Amazon swords for variety.

If you can get good deals on rocks from local garden centres, and don't mind working with sand and bogwood, then what about a mudskipper tank? These are difficult to do well, but they can be very good fun if done properly.

Again, another option might be a mudflat aquarium with just sand and a few scattered seashells. That would be a good tank for violet gobies and flatfish, with perhaps a school of halfbeaks or sailfin mollies at the top for company.

Cheers, Neale

 

[myenigmaself]

What nmonks said

 

[jennybugs]

Lots of food for thought there already. Thanks Neale!

 

[nmonks]

Happy to help. Look forward to hearing more about this project.

Cheers, Neale

 

[iliveinazoo]

When I upgrade my tank I will be attempting to set-up a planted Orange Chromide breeder tank. I don't know if they'll breed or not though because it will have my current stock of 2 figure 8's and bumblebee gobies in it as well.

 

[myenigmaself]

When I upgrade my tank I will be attempting to set-up a planted Orange Chromide breeder tank. I don't know if they'll breed or not though because it will have my current stock of 2 figure 8's and bumblebee gobies in it as well.

Hi iliveinazoo -

I've got a dozen chromides in a 55g with some bumblebee gobies and figure 8s. They've been in there for almost a year and I've seen no spawning behavior what-so-ever. I doubt it will happen while I've got the puffers in there. Additionally, I've got plants growing in my sump, but every plant I tried to put in with the figure 8s was promptly destroyed.

Food for thought; good luck!

 

[jennybugs]

Happy to help. Look forward to hearing more about this project.

Cheers, Neale

Admittedly my first thought was a gsp as I am passionate about my puffers. Then came the thought of a marine puffer tank a la C. papua/valentini and all of those still tempt me, but your suggestions are tempting me greatly!
I am taking your brackish tome in to work with me tomorrow to have a good peruse. I had a look at the violet gobies and if I showed them to my significant other I'd be getting badgered to get them asap most impressive looking fish. As for the muskippers...apart from making me thirst for a Guiness, i like that idea alot!

Once again, so much to think of indeed. Thank you. I'll keep you posted!

iliveinazoo - I know of a source of very healthy orange chromides at Wholesale Tropicals in Bethnal Green at the moment

 

[nmonks]

Do make an excursion up to Wildwoods if you can. Keith usually has some real oddballs in stock, though I do believe he was getting rid of the dedicated brackish section he was trying out for the last couple of years. In any case, there are real oddballs like Neovespicula depressifrons that aren't difficult to get in the UK, and as the centrepiece to a brackish community, could be really fun. Look out also for Chlamydogobius eremius, a charming little fish from the Australian outback that does very well in brackish water.

Cheers, Neale

 

[myenigmaself]

Hey Jennybugs, you don't happen to be in the Eastern U.S. do you? I've got a juvenile GSP I'd love to put in a new home!

 

[jennybugs]

How I wish I was! Sadly I'm in the East of London in the UK

Such a shame as I would have bitten your arm off for a juvie gsp Thanks for thinking of me though.

 

[jennybugs]

Do make an excursion up to Wildwoods if you can. Keith usually has some real oddballs in stock, though I do believe he was getting rid of the dedicated brackish section he was trying out for the last couple of years. In any case, there are real oddballs like Neovespicula depressifrons that aren't difficult to get in the UK, and as the centrepiece to a brackish community, could be really fun. Look out also for Chlamydogobius eremius, a charming little fish from the Australian outback that does very well in brackish water.

Cheers, Neale

I have to admit the first and only time I have been to Wildwoods I was a little disillusioned about the place, but I hear they have improved since then and will definately go visiting again. My usual haunt is Wholesale Trops or Amwell Aquatics for my marines.
I will look those suggestions of yours up thanks Neale. I do love a good bit of researching.

 

[iliveinazoo]

[/quote]
Hi iliveinazoo -

I've got a dozen chromides in a 55g with some bumblebee gobies and figure 8s. They've been in there for almost a year and I've seen no spawning behavior what-so-ever. I doubt it will happen while I've got the puffers in there. Additionally, I've got plants growing in my sump, but every plant I tried to put in with the figure 8s was promptly destroyed.

Food for thought; good luck!
[/quote]

Yeah, I thought that they might be put off breeding with two boggle-eyed puffers watching them

[/quote]

iliveinazoo - I know of a source of very healthy orange chromides at Wholesale Tropicals in Bethnal Green at the moment
[/quote]

Don't tempt me!! I'm absoluetly broke at the moment but I can't stop designing and re-designing my future tank.

Are you any closer to a decision yet? I can't picture how big a 180l tank is but if it's large enough you could do a mudskipper tank and combine a nice hardscape as Neale says and also bury a couple of plant pots in the land area with bog plants or marginals in there. That could look real nice!

 

[jennybugs]

I realistically think it's going to be my 125L tank that's freed up as 4 goldies really need the space of the 180L tank ideally.

I am still finding myself leaning towards puffers of some kind. Either marine or freshwater like T. miurus or such I have plenty of time to ponder it all though.