My 75 Gallon

[Sea-Agg2009]

So now that I'm starting my 75 gallon tank, I figure I would start a journal and cover from start to finish. Right now I'm in the planning stage, but within the week I should have a tank, and be ready to start setting it up. I've been on craigslist a few times, and have a good tank in mind. Pics will come once I get it. As of now I am planning which fish I am going to put in. Please comment and make suggestions! I have some flexibility in my setup, so I would like to find something that I would both like, and works for the fish.

As for bottom fish, I want a rope fish, though I have considered switching that for a cuvier bichir. Which would work better with that I am going with? I also have a banjo catfish at home. The banjo catfish is going to be in my tank for sure.
As for inverts, I am considering two options. Either a combination of large flower shrimp with a few clams (mostly to help filter the tank), or a Hammers Cobalt Blue Crayfish. Predation is my concern with both. Will the bottom dwellers eat the shimp, and will the crayfish try to eat the bottom dwellers? I am leaning toward a crayfish, but I am concerned that he will attack the nocturnal banjo catfish.

For mid-water fish, I would like a black ghost knife, but I have also been looking at an African knifefish. I am concerned that the african knifefish will be too timid for his tank-mates.
I am going to put Denison barbs in there. I think they are a good size to get along with the other fish, but not cause problems with other fish.
I wondering how Bala Sharks will do in a 75 gallon tank. I know they are too large for a 50 gallon, but I am considering a 50" tank, which should give 2 enough room. As always, comments will help.

As for top water fish. I really like African Butterfly fish, and may consider having 2, but no more.

So after all the blabbing, here's a summary of what I am looking at:

1-ropefish OR 1 cuvier bichir
1 Banjo catfish
3-4 flower shrimp OR 1 cobalt crayfish

1 Black Ghost OR 1 African knife
3-4 Denison Barbs
2 Bala sharks

2 African Butterfly fish

Please comment! Thanks for your help!

[justintrask]

i'd skip on the clams. they never last very long and just cause problems because when they die, you dont know it until it's too late.

Get a couple of banjo cats, but make sure you have a sandy area for them to bury themselves, otherwise it stresses them out.

I have a bichir in my 75G and I love him. Highly recommended. Go with cories as bottom dwellers, as the crayfish will likely attack just about everything.

The barbs like to school. I recommend at least 6 of them. You could do more in a tank that size. Skip on the bala sharks. They get very big, and IMO shouldnt be sold to the aquarium hobbyist.

And my final advice, only one african butterflyfish, as they do not tolerate their own kind, and make sure you have a TIGHT fitting lid, as they like to fly.

[Sea-Agg2009]

OK, so I went tank shopping this weekend. I will be purchasing it in 2 weeks, so pics will be coming then. I am planning the setup first, since I plan to fully cycle the tank with decor and plants in. Again, please comment and make suggestions.



So I am definitely going to use the vine/wood thing. It's a little taller than what I sketched, but oh well. I know my LPS sells an artificial one, but if I can find a real piece of driftwood that looks similar, I may use it instead. With the "hurricane" that blew in this past week, there should be some cool driftwood on the seawall. I am putting a flexible bubble wand beneath it, which will serve as my primary aeration. The dragon on the right is also a definite. He looks awesome, and blows bubbles! I haven't decided whether to add the lantern on the left, or leave it out and put some more large plants. I will probably try out both, and just put the large plants somewhere else if the lantern thing fits well. I will try to work in some more plants in around the tank, since I want some bottom dwellers, and some of the fish like to hide.

So my main questions:
Does it matter where I put the heater in? I haven't owned a tank this long, so I'm somewhat concerned with the heating. I have the correct wattage for the tank, but I am concerned about placement.

What are some good plants that will grow tall, but not "out"? I want an African butterfly fish, and would like to give him a some plants to hang out in on the surface. At the same time, I want something that isn't going to take over the tank.

[Chaos553]

First thing's first, awesome sketch setup. If I could draw like that, I would, but unfortunately i can't haha.

So about heater placement, it really should matter where you put it, I just try to avoid putting it near my filter just because it looks like too much is going on in one spot. Other than that, I don't believe it really does matter.

I have some pretty large amazon swords that I got a few months back that DO grow out of the water a little, but if I still had my African Butterfly he would absolutely love it. You could also look around for some water sprite or some plant that grows on the surface so he gets a sense of security.

Don't worry, African Butterfly Fish really tend to not take over a tank, maybe just the surface, so if youre planning on getting hatchetfish, you probably shouldnt. Also, make sure you cover EVERY tiny nook of space that he could possibly jump out of, because I've had that problem and it's definitely no fun grabbing a fish on the floor and putting them back.

Hope that helps.

[Sea-Agg2009]

I'm not so concerned about the single ABF taking over the tank, but instead about the plants. If a single ABF took over a 75 gallon tank, I would be more impressed than upset. I know I can trim plants, but whenever I trim my normal plants, I tend to kill them lol.

[Sea-Agg2009]

Since crash wants pics in order to read this... I guess I can include some pictures.