Friendly or not

[Lowflyer]

Hey guys

I'm getting a 45cm x 45cm x 40cm(h) tank built soon. I was wondering what sort of community I could put together. And what filtration would be good? I was thinking external canister

All combinations and opinions would be cool:blink1:

[Gilbertr14]

I have 2 FLuval 150's on the back of mine
that seems to do the trick

[Slojo]

Tetra community ?

[Go-Big]

What i would like to do is a cardinal tetra tank. Black background, black substrate with 'spier wit' stones and only one or two nice plants. With the right light the contras would be amazing. Filter, Someting like a via aqua 300 if you like the externals. The tank is small and a small external would not take up space inside the tank.

[Vis]

black substrate with 'spier wit' stones

Just make sure that you can remove and clean these rocks easliy as they do like becomming green.

[Go-Big]

True, but you must admit it would look gr8 in its simplicity.

[Sean J]

I'd suggest an eheim 2211 external canister filter. They are relatively easy to come by, cheap and exceptionally reliable!

With regards to your scaping idea, I recon that would look great! But why not make the tank background black? That would seriously make the colours on the cardinals pop out!

[speedz]

if you are getting a tank built, why not build an internal overflow filter system? it is really effective

[Fishwhisperer]

Realy??? Am i missing something here???? It is still sush a small tank a canister would be a overkill and to hard on your pocket. Maybe a aqua clear hang on filter and a sponge filter hidden behind the plants or rocks.

[Go-Big]

Yep. Forgot about those. The power head filter would take to much space inside the small tank. Canister, yes over kill. You got it right FWhisperer.

[Lowflyer]

I'm not sure who's talking to who here. I'm pretty lost as someone mentioned something about their own tank and I lost track of the convo.

I got the part about the external hang on and the internal built in filtration. I think the over-flow might be a bit noisy as it is going to be in my classroom.

Maybe the aquaclear hang-on would be a good choice.

What fish would be good for this size tank? I was thinking of:

White cloud minnows
Tiger barbs
Kuhli loaches
Pearl gouramis

Not sure what else

[Slojo]

If you are going to put plants in there scratch the Tiger Barbs.
I would not keep Barbs with any other fish anyhow.

For a classroom why do you not go for a Dwarf Cichlid like Kribensies?
It would be educational as well.

[Lowflyer]

Coz I tried to breed Kribs, and it didn't work out so well. The male kept chasing the female. What other small cichlids can be bred easily?

[Fishwhisperer]

Thats what they suppose to do. Heng i chase my girlfriend around the room before I ........ (Hey here are kids here lol). But you get the idea.

[Chris M]

What i would like to do is a cardinal tetra tank. Black background, black substrate with 'spier wit' stones and only one or two nice plants. With the right light the contras would be amazing.

I've always wanted to do a "dark" tank with healthy cardinals/neons, etc. It really brings that blue out like nothing else!

---------- Post added at 00:12 ---------- Previous post was at 00:12 ----------


If you are going to put plants in there scratch the Tiger Barbs.
I would not keep Barbs with any other fish anyhow.

Interesting to see someone else saying this! So many people want to go for tiger barbs and I'm forever warning people not to if they have plants, especially, or smaller fish.

[Lowflyer]

Anyone used the via aqua 901 internal filter? Thought it would be a good filter for my tank. Tank will be around 80 litres judging by the measurements. I've had the glass cut, going to glue it together tonight.

Will a 50 watt heater be sufficient?

[Rickus]

The 50w heater will do, http://www.theaquatools.com/electric-equipment-calculator
Cant help you on the filter, I would go for the HOB. I have a 200l tank, put a guppy breeding thing ( those plastic containers hanging on the side, when guppies are breeding )
infront of the hob with filterwool inside. Crystal clear water!!!
I think I read it on this forum, so it wasnt my plan.

[ryanj252]

You guys are so advanced in this fishtank business! I dont even know about lights, plants, CO2, fertilizer and all that. Where is a good place to learn the importance of these things as well as getting started?

[Rickus]

ryanj252
go to http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/forumdisplay.php?6-Beginner-Discussions

the first 4 topics will help you alot, welcome to this fantastic hobby.

[ryanj252]

Thanx rickus - checkin it out now.

[boebie]

If you are going to put plants in there scratch the Tiger Barbs.
I would not keep Barbs with any other fish anyhow.

For a classroom why do you not go for a Dwarf Cichlid like Kribensies?
It would be educational as well.

Tiger barbs actually prefer a well planted tank with rocks and driftwood! The larger the shoal the better behaved they are.
They are quite boisterous though so get a shoal of at least 8 or more if you want to keep them with other species, this way they are pre-occupied with themselves instead of terrorising others.