I need help with new tank.

[liljon140]

Hi everyone I am kida new to this fish thing and would like some advice on my tank. I have had it set up for a little over a week now and have 2 algae eaters in it b/c it was starting to grow brown algae on the side of the tank wall they have since cleaned that all up. I have a few live plants and about 7 of those bulbs you buy at walmart that are susposed to grow mine hasent started growing yet but its only been a few days since I put them in. Anways what fish do you think will do good in my set up. Its a 37 gallon eclipse system . Please any suggestions are needed. I like the cichlids but unsure of there needs and so on. Thanks for the help. Heres a pic to get you started.

[justintrask]

From my personal experience, which is not a lot, I recommend Honduran Red Points. They're a cichlid, but very easy to maintain. I got 8 of them as juveniles and have had hours of enjoyment because they seem to have so much character to them.

But it's all a matter of what you personally enjoy. Don't buy a fish just to buy a fish, but go to a few different pet stores, and look at what there is to offer. Don't decide to buy anything until you find something you really like. And before you buy it, do a google search on it. Are you interested in breeding in the long run? Livebearers? Schooling fish? It's all a matter of what you want, and what would get you the most personal satisfaction. A lot of people think that just because a fish is brightly colored, it is agreat fish to have, but thats not always true. Sometimes the most unattractive fishes are the most enjoyable to have in your tank!

[Clerk]

It is far to early to have algae eaters in your tank, you should return them immediately. The brown algae you are seeing is called diatoms, they are little protists that appear early in your tanks development, but after that they are gone forever.

For cycling your tank (starting he biofilter for your system) I would recommend starting with zebra danios or platys. In your tank two or 3 will be plenty for your first [month!] If you enjoy algae eaters (which are usually pleco species) there are many that can live their entire lives in your tank, but do research before purchasing them (or any fish )

As for looking into the future, your tank is very tall. I would only recommend dwarf cichlids. Such as apistos, rams, and kribs. These fish will stay primarily near the bottom, giving you room in the top and middle sections for schooling fish.

As for the HRP (Honduran Red Points), they are like convicts. They get around 4-6", and breed like mad.


If you want any more advice continue to post here, or PM me, and I can go into more detail. Another great place to ask questions is in the chat room as well .


Sidenote: justintrask come to chat sometime, I would loooooove to talk about you and your tank

[COM]

I would recommend that you take the easy road and skip the cycling altogether. Let technology be your bi-pass. There are products readily available that will provide all bacteria needed to get your bio filter running instantly. The most common one is called BioSpira and it is available at progressive quality LFS. Don't even ask at the chains.

In terms of fish stocking, as discussed in chat a kribensis cichlid might be a nice centerpiece fish. They're colorful and interesting to watch. I would do a krib and a school of something interesting in a contrasting color scheme. Maybe brilliant rasboras or some type of tetra that would get along with the krib.

To quote Al Pacino in [i]The Devil's Advocate[i], "The worse vice is advice." And here I shall indulge. Get yourself some fish books and learn about the species some more. You said in chat (well typed, I don't know if you talk to your computer while typing like I do) that you had an unfortunate violent incident in the tank the last time you set it up. Read up on species before revisiting the LFS. Amazon has hundreds of books on freshwater fish.

Some recommends:
500 Freshwater Aquarium Fish: A visual reference to the most popular species - Consulting Editor Greg Jennings - Firefly press
----I keep this book on my desk I use it so frequently.

The Practical Aquarium Fish Handbook - David Goodwin - Sterling Press

Or check out your local B&N. They all stock aquarium books in the pet books area.

[Good Wolf]

Good advice Com.

I like the tank and that is an awesome piece of wood. It would look great with some moss on it but I'm a moss fiend.

What is that ornament you have in there?

[liljon140]

The ordiment is a broken Samurai statue. I thought it looked kinda cool and would give some structure to the tank. I think the drift wood really makes the thank. I found it on a remote beach a few years ago and spent alot of time preping it so I could use it in the tank. It has had many scrubs and soaks.

[gil_ong81]

i know jack about fish, but i really do like your decor.

[Ghost Knife]

If you have a 37G tank with 2 algae eaters you are going to have to enventually move one as they get as large their tank. It will probably take at least several months, but it's just to give you a heads up. You need to decide what kind of tank you want. You can put anything with Plecos so you really have a choice between goldfish, tropical semi-aggressive, tropical community, or cichlids. Goldfish are fun to watch, but they require a heavy duty cleaning about twice a month. Tropical Communities are nice, but many of the fish available are on the small side. Tropical Semi-Aggressive to me is the most interesting tank, but you have to be careful what species of fish you mix. Cichilds are usually rather active, but you have to mix them VERY carefully. Consult a Cichlid expert if you want to try those.

[COM]

I'm going to take a guess that you want to go planted. Goldfish eat most plants. Plus, I see what looks like a heater in the back left corner. Probably intend to go tropical, right? Do some reading and pick some species.

[liljon140]

well I did my 1st water change today and swapped out my gravel for some Flourite. I like the look better but it was a pain to rinse out and still made my water cloudy. It has cleared up now but man what a pain I hope this stuff works for my plants. I am probally going to start addin fish next weekend. That is not a heater in the back of the tank it is a cord orginizer so my electric cords arent all over the place. Sorry Im an electrician I like my cords nice and neat.

[JustOneMore20]

How much light is over the tank?

I suggest packing the tank with alot of stem plants (Bacopa, Rotala, Wisteria, Hornwort, Anacharis), but you'll want to have atleast 75w of light over the tank. If you have stock lighting, those plants won't work.

Then you could start out with 5-6 small fish....stock slowly, every week to week and a half and you may not see a cycle (ammonia, nitrite readings).

But, without enough light, the plants will die and cause you more problems, so.....

If you don't add Biospira or have alot of plants, then you'll be doing a fishy cycle and will be doing ALOT of waterchanges for the next 3-4 weeks.

[COM]

^^ A lot of small water changes

[liljon140]

How do I get 75watts of ligting with the Eclipse system. It has 2 florescent tubs that are 24" long and are 18watts a piece. I have full spectrum daylight bulbs in it for plants right now. Any suggestions? O want to keep my current system but I dont mind changing the bulbs or even the fixture within the hood I could do that pretty easy as long as the fixture wasent much thicker than the current one.
The tank is also next to a very large window that it gets natural light from as well. Do I even need to change my lights Ill get some more pics of the tanks position and the new substrate.