Hi Durbs

[Mark]

Greetings all

I'm recovering from some spinal injuries so I'm out of sport for a while --- in the meantime I'm taking a renewed interest in acquariums (I used to keep them when I was a kid).

I'm interested in setting up a 3ft tropical fishtank. I'm in Durban. Can anyone suggest the best shop(s) in the area?

Any advice on what sort of fish combo's make a good looking and interesting tank are also appreciated

Many thanks

Mark

[solex69]

Hi & welcome to TASA Mark

You could go for either a South American or South East Asian biotope. My preference is South American.

Cheers
Dale

[Mark]

Thanks Dale

What sort of fish go with the SE Asian biotope?

Are they any more / less hardy than the S American?

Thanks

Mark

[Asgar]

Hi there

I suggest Northlands Pets for widest selection.
There are other smaller petshops like Tropical world in Clairwood for cheapest prices and good deals.
You can try others.
When I started I shopped around for equipment and fish.

[Mark]

THanks Asgar

I like your suggestion on fish - I've always like gouramis - I'll also check out the shops you've suggested - i'll let you know how it shakes out - and might need to come back with more advice in due course - especially on getting the right plants and filtration - speaking of which - what type of filtration would you suggest in a 3ft tank of this sort - power filter?

[Henk Hugo]

Welcome Mark,

I would look at getting a Canister filter for the 3ft. Something like a Fluval or and eheim. Also try some of our sponsors for what you need

[Dolphin]

hello an welcome to TASA...

read up before you make any purchases so you make the right choices from the start and remember to bounce any ideas here so we can comment and help to point you in the right direction

external power filters or hang on filters make for good filtration...try to get a flow rate that gives 3-4 times per hour total tank volume turnover... lighting is also important to keep plants properly... 2-3 watts per litre depending on the needs of the plants which might also require CO2 but I suggest you start with plants that are undemanding.

good luck

[2time]

Hi and welcome to TASA Mark

[Mark]

Thanks Henk, Dolphin and 2time for the good advice - I'd appreciate further comment once I've got an idea of what I'm going for to make sure I'm not making any obvious errors.

[Mark]

Dear Colleagues

Your advice is appreciated - I'm about to purchase and setup my 3ft tank.....Asgar kindly suggested the following fish combination (see below) which, on the whole, I really like the look of. I have two questions: a) is it OK to mix Asian, S American varieties (I'm not a purist and the ph and harness requirements appear compatible); 2) is a 3ft tank big enough? 3) Any reason why I couldn't replace one of the bigger Gouramis with a Dwarf Gourami?

Many thanks

(1)Large Golden Gourami (Asia) (1)Black Ghost Knife (S America) (1) Synodontis multipunctatus (cuckoo catfish Africa)) (1)Clown Knife (Asia) (1)Blue Gourami (1)Altums Angel (1)Gold Nugget Pleco (2)Misgurnus anguillicaudatus = Dojo loach

fish
origin
ph
hardness
Tank position
Temperament
To other fish
(1)Large Golden Gourami
S Asia
6 - 8

4 - 12 °N

Middle levels

peaceful
(1)Black Ghost Knife

S America
6 - 8
4 - 12 °N
Bottom levels
aggressive to smaller
(1) Synodontis multipunctatus (cuckoo catfish)
S America
8 - 8.9

8 - 18 °N

Bottom levels
peaceful
(1)Clown Knife

S Asia
5.5 - 7
4 - 12 °N
Middle levels
peaceful
(1)Blue Gourami
S Asia
6.0 - 8.8
5-35 dGH
Top, Mid dweller
Peaceful
(1)Altums Angel
S America
4.5 - 7
0 - 18 °N
Middle levels
peaceful
(1)Gold Nugget Pleco
S America
6.5 - 7.5
2 - 14 °N
Bottom levels
peaceful
(2)Misgurnus anguillicaudatus = Dojo loach
E Asia
6.5 - 7.5
2 - 12 °N

Bottom levels
aggressive to smaller

[Mark]

PS - Sorry about the long and messy text - I shouldn't have copied a table

Two more questions: 4) a pet shop has recommended an aquaclear mini filter (hang on type) rather than a cannister filter - any comments or alternative suggestions? 5) once the tank is ready for fish, should they be added one at a time or a few together?

Thanks again

[G55C]

I personally prefer a canister filter. I find it less "fidley"than a hang on filter and you can keep more filter media in them, but it depends one which models you are looking at,so I might be wrong there. I also prefer the look of them:bigsmile:

When stocking make sure the tank is matured first before adding any livestock. Investing in some test kits is also a good investment for your aquarium. I like to stock my aquariums slowly ,sometimes reaching my stocking level or wish list after 2 or 3 months.

Hope that helps a little? Im sure the more experienced members will give you some better advice:amuse:

[Dolphin]

Hello Mark

I suggest you avoid the aquaclear mini and consider a canister filter.

The clown knife is not a good selection as they will quickly outgrow your tank.

The altum angel is a specialised fish that requires a species tank with selected tank mates. They're also not easy to find.

I'm not sure why you're selecting one of each type of fish... Why not rather select fish that you can keep in small schools such as tetras, rasboras or barbs and then select a few fish to compliment these like the golden nugget etc.

[Mark]

Dear Dolphin - thanks for this - the idea of small schools sounds like a good alternative - thre questions: a) which tetras in particular would you suggest for a 3ft tank and how many b) any reason why canister rather than aquaclear mini (I was going to get kit later today but should perhaps wait a bit) - I see G55C also prefers canister variety

[Dolphin]

There's quite a variety of tetras out there that will be comfortable in a 3ft... perhaps go browse around your LFS and see what catches your fancy... my personal favourites are strangely enough quite common... red eye tetra, serpae tetra (the longfin variety is rather nice) and neons. Also nice is rosy tetra, flame tetra, congo tetra (but they get abit large), black phantoms, pristella and x-ray. albino golden tiger barbs and also green tiger barbs are something to consider. rummynose are really nice but you must carefull of the origins, the wild rummynose take quite awhile to acclimatize to aquariums conditions. oh and also golden zebra danios are quite catchy.

perhaps try to get two schools of 12 - 15 small fish

let us know what you find...

[Mark]

Many thanks - will keep you posted