New to Large FreshWater Tanks and Fish, advice and suggestions

CinBos · 02-23-2012, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inga

Also, this would be the time you might wish to paint the back of the tank Black so that your fish will show up real nice. Get an API test kit for the fresh water aquarium. The liquid, not the strips. Test your source water and let us know what your water parameters are. Call your water department and get information from them about the hardness/softness of the water. Then you can go from there.

You know for sure you want Cichlids so you can get yourself some gravel that you like. Look up pictures of tanks then chose what you like to look at and begin moving forward from there. Can't wait to see pictures of your new tank as it progresses.

Oh, and Welcome to the forum.

I appreciate that very much. Yeah I was wanting to go with the black background also. I will go ahead and get the things Ill need like the test kit, pump to clean the gravel, and I am also getting another 35 gal along with the 125 gal for no extra cost. I'll need to figure out how to work that into my project. And yes I am looking at the larger cichlids for my tank for sure. I do know where I wanna go with my tank, look wise, but now I really just need to figure out the whole filtration situation (I know the filtration will be a bit different due to the large tank size). And I got really lucky, there are a few guys who are wiling to give me some of their gravel and plants to help only the cycling process, and he will also be hooking me up with some fairly large Jack Dempseys!

Byron · 02-23-2012, 12:28 PM

If you are thinking Jack Dempsey for fish, then in your 125g you have space for one fish or a pair. And that is all. Have a read of the profile, click the shaded name.

mrbprint · 02-23-2012, 12:55 PM

Here is the setup I am using in both my 40 and 75 for the intake of the canister filter. It utilizes gravel as both a mechanical and biological pre-filter. It has increased the interval between filter services to 4-5 months. Both tanks are heavily planted and way over stocked but working well.http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/m...lter-p-u-3418/

CinBos · 02-23-2012, 01:35 PM

Really? A 125gal tank is only enough room for 2 Jack Dempseys? Wow! I would've thought there would be plenty of room for, say, 2 jack dempseys, 1 or 2 Plecos, and 1 or 2 Oscars.

Termato · 02-23-2012, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CinBos

Really? A 125gal tank is only enough room for 2 Jack Dempseys? Wow! I would've thought there would be plenty of room for, say, 2 jack dempseys, 1 or 2 Plecos, and 1 or 2 Oscars.

Well I think what Byron was getting at was this:

Compatibility/Temperament: Not a community fish. Best kept individually, or may be kept in a small group of 6 or more in a very large tank. Should not be kept in smaller groups due to their aggressiveness. As the fish matures it becomes increasing more territorially aggressive.

Read more: Jack Dempsey ( Rocio octofasciata) Profile

CinBos · 02-23-2012, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Termato

Well I think what Byron was getting at was this:

Compatibility/Temperament: Not a community fish. Best kept individually, or may be kept in a small group of 6 or more in a very large tank. Should not be kept in smaller groups due to their aggressiveness. As the fish matures it becomes increasing more territorially aggressive.

Read more: Jack Dempsey ( Rocio octofasciata) Profile

Oh, hmmm. I thought I have seen a lot tanks with Dempseys, Oscars and such. Kind of assumed they worked well together. What fish do you all think I should go with if I am wanting to include larger cichlids, like Oscars?

mrbprint · 02-23-2012, 02:50 PM

Yea Cichlids get big thats how I ended up with a 300g many years ago. I had only 7-8 fish in it ranging from a 40 inch Tiger shovelnose cat to a 10 inch Red devil. My alligator gar was 36 inches and most of the rest were in the 12-14 inch range, I gave them up because they got too expensive to feed.

CinBos · 02-23-2012, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbprint

Yea Cichlids get big thats how I ended up with a 300g many years ago. I had only 7-8 fish in it ranging from a 40 inch Tiger shovelnose cat to a 10 inch Red devil. My alligator gar was 36 inches and most of the rest were in the 12-14 inch range, I gave them up because they got too expensive to feed.

Yeah definitly wanting to stick with the cichlids, a pleco or 2, and something else. I just spoke with a gentleman and he is willing to sale me canister, that flows 500gal per hour for only $100, he has only had it for 2 months.

Termato · 02-23-2012, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CinBos

Yeah definitly wanting to stick with the cichlids, a pleco or 2, and something else. I just spoke with a gentleman and he is willing to sale me canister, that flows 500gal per hour for only $100, he has only had it for 2 months.

That sounds like a good deal. What kind of canister?

CinBos · 02-23-2012, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Termato

That sounds like a good deal. What kind of canister?

I'm not sure just yet, but I asked him if it would be effecient enough for the size of the tank and will amount for the waste that larger cichlids produce, and he said "oh yes!" He said I shouldnt have to worry about that water getting merky or the bio-load building up, and that I should replace the filters and such every 6 months. Ill get the name and get back to you guys so we all know what I have.

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