Good evening all, I've been MIA for a while so let me catch you all up to speed. I got my 75 up and running about 2 years ago, and really enjoyed the bichirs, hujeta gar, and african knifefish that I stocked the tank with. I'm sorry to tell you though that some really unfortunate events transpired though. Last summer I was serving on a mission trip overseas for 6 weeks and my father (who is also an aquarist) was taking care of my tanks in my absence. At some point, however, he forgot to replace the lid, and I came home to find the majority of my poly's and all my hujeta gar mummified underneath and behind the stand. I got super discouraged and almost broke down the tank, but two of my fish, my delhezzi and my african knife fortunately stayed in the tank and encouraged me to keep the tank up and running.
Besides the two prior residents, the tank has sat primarily empty. The water is thick with tannins since I have natural driftwood in the tank and I'm honestly getting really tired of how visually imparing it is, so I'm thinking of removing the branches, boiling them to try to remove the tannins, and getting a stronger light to try to make the tank look better visually. I've also thought about adding sand (the tank has been bare bottom since I started it- the sides, bottom, and back panel are all painted black so it looks quite nice), and thought that I would get your opinions on it!
Finally, I'm back to the drawing boards with stocking. I'm thinking that I definitely want to get another poly or two- I really enjoyed my senegal. My polli and butikofferi were both recluses and so I wondered what bichirs you would add? I'm also looking at other suggestions for fish- I'm really thinking about adding some smaller SA cichlids and maybe some catfish to the tank but I honestly have no idea what I want with this tank right now. Thought I would come to you for your opinions and advice- I have greatly enjoyed this community in the past and hope that I can contribute to it in meaningful ways in the future.
-Noah
Besides the two prior residents, the tank has sat primarily empty. The water is thick with tannins since I have natural driftwood in the tank and I'm honestly getting really tired of how visually imparing it is, so I'm thinking of removing the branches, boiling them to try to remove the tannins, and getting a stronger light to try to make the tank look better visually. I've also thought about adding sand (the tank has been bare bottom since I started it- the sides, bottom, and back panel are all painted black so it looks quite nice), and thought that I would get your opinions on it!
Finally, I'm back to the drawing boards with stocking. I'm thinking that I definitely want to get another poly or two- I really enjoyed my senegal. My polli and butikofferi were both recluses and so I wondered what bichirs you would add? I'm also looking at other suggestions for fish- I'm really thinking about adding some smaller SA cichlids and maybe some catfish to the tank but I honestly have no idea what I want with this tank right now. Thought I would come to you for your opinions and advice- I have greatly enjoyed this community in the past and hope that I can contribute to it in meaningful ways in the future.
-Noah