Big tank on a small budget

made the rite choice @

a3aan
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new tanks always the way to go, ask me i have too many running now lol

 

I didn't comment on the lighting before but here is my 2c. Why not stay with low light and stained water? It gives the tank a more Amazon feel and with your fish choice (except that parrot!) it suites the tank. Low light, low tech, low ferts, low cost...Worth thinking about.

 

i would not go to stained and watch water softness too, the front for a start is def not going to be happy in soft stained water, the jag either they both come from rather hard water. besides silver dollars witch are lank tolerant of water conditions not much is from amazon

 

just noticed they are tinfiol barbs not silver dollars so not from the amazon either

 

Hehe.... @top dog Yes my tank is a bit of a mess.... But I am a bit concerned about it getting too soft.... And yes the poor parrot and the front needs to be re homed. I must just let go first... Took the 2 pieces out that was leaching the worst... The big one doesn't leach at all. Also just realized that my tubes on the T5 units are more than a year old. So maybe just replace them first and see???
@Hawk I'm setting up my old 350l right next to this one and its getting planted (low tech) for sure.. Also busy rebuilding a 500l 1.8 for the geo setup. That one will be a proper amazon biotope.... Hehe mts me never.....

 

Whoops...my bad. I wasn't suggesting you had an Amazon biotope, rather the look of one and I only pointed out the parrot because of it's bold/bright colours which is quite a contrast from the other fish. I didn't see the frontosa and I must admit I thought the Tinfoils were Silver dollars/Pacu :facepalm:.

I really like the look of stained water/dark water tanks but my wife wouldn't be impressed. She would probably tell me the water is dirty all the time :laugh:

 

Nooo man.... No worries.... It is the look I was going for. Correct species or not. And I agree I also like the black water look but this is getting a bit out of hand. Haha... People already ask me why I do not clean my tank......

 

Ha ha ha :laugh:

 

Your frontosa has grown nicely though, I remember hinting about buying it a while back when it was much smaller haha

 

He has had a nice growth spurt. Almost the same size as the GT. And he never backs down from a stand off. Basically rules the left side of the tank.... But sadly will prob need to re home him in the not to distant future if I want to do this properly....

 

Yep I'm also looking to part with my frontosa. Well I'm thinking of parting with everything except my arowana and venture into the realms of a planted arow tank. Problem is finding a wide tank with a low height

Jags also looking very good as well. And I dig the wood features. Very nice

 

@

Jay
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Plant with a jardini?
how you going to do that mine even rips up my air hose, def the most grumpy and destructive fish i have

 

Hahaha I'm still thinking about it. The ones I've had only seem to want to kill and demolish any other fish. Plants and rocks are of no interest to them. Then again I've sold mine before they've gotten too big and aggressive towards other cichlids. Maybe it's a trait they inherit when they get a bit bigger?

 

@a3aan. Would you be interested in two big geophagus?(spelling?). Would fit great in your tank and the style you seem to be going for

 

Hi @Jay I would be very interested. But depends on the species. I busy setting up a geophagus tank. So they won't be going in with the big boys. Have a look here Project Geophagus... for pics of both. I'm looking for 6 tapajos or 6 surinamensis. Problem is I'm in Bloem so I'm always far from everyone and everything.....

 

@a3aan, they are geophagus surinamensis . One is blind in one eyes however(bought him like that)

They are brother and sister. Must be about 23cm in length now. Ones a male the other is a female. I'm still deciding whether or not to let go of them as they really are my favorite . I just want to see if you'd be keen on them, as I know you can provide a good home.

 

Here's the blind one as you can see. I apologize for the orientation of the photos
this is the male that hold his ground. The female has better pearling and is much broader. I separated them as my polleni was trying to take control of him too much

 

He is beautiful...... Now how do I get them to bloem???? And how much do you want for the pair??? And how big are they??? Haha

Ps they look like geophagus surinamensis but I'm not sure either.