Hello All!!!

I am known as Tazz in the internet world, mostly in browser gaming and some pc thread's. I have recently bought a lovely fish tank for myself and "mommy to be" girlfriend to keep us occupied. I hope to learn a lot from all of the "more experienced" users in the important biological phases happening inside my tank within the next few weeks.

:smile1:Tazz:smile1:

 

Hi Tazz and welcome to TASA

Tell us a bit more about your tank like:
The size of the tank
Your filtration system you have/planning
Kinda lights you have/planning
what you are planning to keep in the tank
and if you are feeling adventurous post a couple of pics

 

Hey, and welcome to Tropical Aquariums SA! :bigsmile:

 

My Fish Tank

Hi Guys.

Below are the specs I currently have, which HAS to change especially when it comes to the filter. (Please recommend what filter to use)

Tank Size:
1200mm (L) x 350mm (W) x 520mm (H)

Filtration System:
Under Gravel filter linked through pump to external filter that came with the tank. This filter I was told to place round shaped white rocks, with holes in, and filter wool.

Lights:
Two normal 30W fluorescent globes, one which I would like to change to a blue colour.

Contents / Fish:
I currently have two Swordtail Tetra's and Two Redeye Tetra's, which I only purchase to check that my water was in fact ready for tropical fish.

I would like a very colourful tank with the following fish in my tank: (Please comment where you foresee troubles)

2 X Discus (Not too sure which species yet)
2 X Plecostomus (One to be Peckoltlia)
2 X Flowerhorn Cichlids
2 X Parrot Cichlids
2 X Oscars Cichlids
2 X Angel Fish Cichlids

I have attached two pics of my new fish tank, can't wait to have more fishies....
Any comments would be much appreciated.
Tazz:smile1:

 

hmmm ok, i dont think the fish on your list is very compatible.... The Discus should be kept on its own (with maybe some small tetra`s or rams, some do keep them with angels But i would not recommend it because discus is shy/easily startled and the angels will out compete them when its feeding time). The Pleco will also not be an ideal tank mate for discus (they tend to try and feed on the slime coat of the discus). Also discus are schooling fish and they feel more comfortable in groups of 6 or more. Oscars will outgrow that tank pretty quicly and they are very messy. As for the flowerhorns and parrots, i dont know to much about them so lets see if someone else can comment.
Your filtration seems to be dated, take out the under gravel filter and add a decent canister filter that will give you more or less 4x tank vol turnover an hour.

 

Howzit & welcome to the forum Tazz.

Cheers
Dale

 

hey hey! welcome!

Please note that Flowerhorns and parrots should not be listed as a species but a man made abomination...

the oscars, flowerhorn ( ) and parrots ( ) will freak the discus out and eventually kill them.... they wull also eat all of the smaller fish.....

 

Thank You & Update

Thank You all for the valued input.

I have changed my filtering system now:bigsmile:.

I now have an Aqua H20 AFT-2500 Filter with heater, doing a max of 1350l/h (I think this should be fine).

Singularity? Should this now be fine?
BTW I love your tank setup....
Also thank you for the filtering idea.

Henk Hugo? What type of cichlids (Preferably Colourful) do you recommend?
Also thanks for the update on the man made abomination, what are the terms that have to be used when referring to these species?

Merry Christmas to all.
Tazz

 

Wow stunning tank!!!!

 

Hi and welcome!

I don't want to be rude, but you cannot keep those fish together. How long have you been keeping fishes for? Reason I ask is, from my understanding, Discus are for the experienced fish keepers. Very sensitive fish and require a lot of maintenance. Not to mention, they are expensive. Yes, they are super colourful but very expensive. I personally would not suggest you think of these fish for now.

Oscars should be keep in their own tanks, as they will chow all you current fish. Flowerhorn should also be keep in their own tanks. But remember that these guys can get big!

Not a big fan of parrot cichlids. They aren't really a "real" fish as per say, but man made / bred.

Angels can be kept with your current stock, but again, sometimes they can become agressive towards others.

If you want to keep any of the big cichlids, you need to upgrade your filter to atleast a canister filter. In SA, it is either TetraTec or Pennplax Cascada. Or you can try find a SunSun canister filter. with the size of tank you have, i think at least a 1500-2000lt/hr

Maybe if it was like a 10000lt tank, yeah.. but in such a small one.. nope.

 

Hi Tazz and welcome to an awesome forum! I'm glad you came to get opinions first before making a typical newbie purchase. First off you have an awesome tank to start with so step 1 is in the right direction. As you can see from the. Members post above, we are very passionate about our fish so please don't take it the wrong way. We are merely offering advice. From your proposed fish selection it seems like you are looking for a colourful tank. Imho you want to go the Malawi. Route learn from my mistake as I also wanted to a colorful tank so I bougt a few of every kind not understanding the repercussions there of. So best advice I can give you is browse the members tanks and find one that appeals to you. You have a decent enough size of tank to keep almost anything. While you are doing that read up on nitrates and nitrites. Once you have decided let us know and we will point you in the right direction

 

Very well said.

 

Apologies if I offended you @Tazz.

It is just so much more rewarding if u do things rights from the beginning. Believe me I have made so much mistakes that I was so gatvol that I stopped the hobby for a long time.

For the time being, don't get the discus. Make it your aim. Maybe start with the Oscars. Especially the red fire oscars. They have personality and get nice and big and colourful. Easy to keep, but as a pair only. They also live long.