Upgrading to a 120 or 150-Stocking Question

Sanguinefox

I have been given the go ahead to start making plans for an upgrade from my 75 gallon to a 120 or 150 gallon tank. I am leaning towards a 150 gallon.

The water is soft, and I have a planted tank which will be transplanted into the new tank when it happens. Substrate will be Play-Sand.

My current stock that also gets moved over to the new tank is:

2 Senegal Bichirs
1 Ornate Bichir (half grown)
4 Yoyo Loach
2 Apple Snails
Lots of baby snails.

My first question is about Canisters. I plan to upgrade to a Canister and wonder if it is worth it to put money into a used one? I see a few going up for 60-80 bucks and am curious if there are cons to getting them used or if it is something to stay away from.

My second question details getting a final addition to the new tank. When every thing is settled I want to add a very colorful fish. It has to be big enough that it will not be food for the Ornate when she is full grown. It has to tolerate soft water. I prefer it to hang around mid level of the tank although I can provide it a cave of it's own if necessary.

So what I ask now, is what do you all suggest for such a thing? Remember that an Ornate Bichir will grow roughly 2 feet long.

LyzzaRyzz

Wow, I just read your other thread from earlier in the year when you got your driftwood! Im glad your up grading, its gonna be great!
I love your Yoyo Loaches...do you think you could do a video of them? Ive never seen them swim before, in a video!

Sanguinefox

I'm looking forward to it. I'm sure the fish will be happy to in a much more spacious environment.

As for video: why not. This is the currents scape. You can see most of the stock except for the Queen who was being shy while this video was taking. The Yoyos are not full grown. They are supposed to be able to hit around 5-6 inches. (Be sure to watch that full screen with as high quality as you can go).

All of this goes into the next tank. Part of me really wants to get something like a Cichlid and I believe a lot of the South American ones are. Seems like most the ones I look up are small though.