129g Tank Advice

[Ninjouzata]

Hello. I had another thread but it was for a 75g (HERE it is), fortunately I was able to get something a little bit bigger!
This tank is 72"x18"x23" (LxWxH)

I have most of it figured out I think, just a few other questions and opinions needed.
I still need help with the schooling fish, which I have a thread for that HERE. I think the decision for that will be made after I'm able to get a list of prices for the fish.

Here was the stocking plan:

1x Brown Ghost Knife
1x Leopard Ctenopoma
1x Angelfish
1x Delhezi Bichir
1x Palmas Palmas Bichir
1x Palmas Beuttikoferi Bichir
6x Schooling Fish

I am wondering now, if I could replace the brown ghost knife with a black one. The black one is my absolute dream fish, and I had originally planned on waiting til we had our own house and I was able to get a 8x4x3 made for it.
The temptation to get it now is very strong and I am wondering if it'd be alright or not. I know on here it has their minimum tank size listed as 75g but..that just doesn't feel right to me. Perhaps 6ft is better though?
If it did get too big for the tank I would hope I could upgrade, but I hate saying that as you never know what will come up. I'd also hope if I couldn't do that maybe I could find someone who had a tank big enough for it.

I was also wondering if I could do a spiny eel..maybe a peacock? Or would it not work well with the bichirs? I'd also like to know if we could add any more bichirs.
I know I am asking a lot and if I had all I want the tank would likely be overstocked, which is why I'm asking ya'll.

..Also also, haha, should I keep the schooling fish at 6 or can I bump them up a bit? I imagine it will depend on which ones I get but want to pose the question anyways.

We have ordered a SunSun HW 304B which is THIS one. Is it okay to have just this one on the tank while the fish are still juveniles? We will add another one later on, or hopefully something even stronger to run alongside it.
The bichirs won't be added in until later either so less stocking for a bit as well. We can run an Aqua-Tech 30-60 on the other side to provide more flow and a little more filtration as well until we get another canister.

I would like to know how big of a heater, or heaters, we'll need for this tank. As well as good places to get them from.

I would like some thoughts on what media to put in it and in what order to place them in. I have spoken to someone who has this exact filter and she uses noodles, MATRIX, and bioballs. She says this allows for better flow as well.

The tank we picked up does not have a lid which obviously we need, so if ya'll know where to get lids for this size tank I'd love to hear it. I found one place but am not sure if it's what we're looking for. HERE it is.

Now for how the tank will look. I plan on black sand, but am not sure on the background. I think a black background would make it a bit too dark especially with the types of fish I'm getting. I want to be able to see them!
Here is my favorite background that I've found, would like to hear thoughts on it: NATURAL MYSTIC.

I have the most beautiful painting ever of what I had planned on the tank to sort of look like. This is very much open for change since I am awful at aquascaping. I know it's hard to recommend plants as we don't know the lighting yet.



The floating plants are amazon frogbit, the big leafed ones between the PVC pipes are banana plants, the fuzzy green on top of the PVC is moss, the plants above the moss would be like behind the PVC and those are water sprite, and the reddish brown plants on each side are red crypts (wendtii?).

And now onto food. I have been recommended Hikari Tropical Sinking Carnivore Pellets for the bichirs. As well as treats of earthworms, black worms, ghost shrimp, and tilapia.
I never did get recommendations for the other fish though, so I would really love to hear some suggestions. I'd also like to know where to buy them, such as petco.

For the treats such as tilapia, can I just get the kind at say wal-mart? Or is there something specific I need to look for?

I believe that's all. Thank you to anyone who reads this and I very much appreciate any and all responses, can't wait to hear from ya'll.

 

[Ninjouzata]

Good morning bump

 

[Ninjouzata]

We purchased 2 300W Aqueon heaters, so that part is covered!
Some price comparisons for those right now.. Petco 300W 49.99, Petsmart 300W 38.99 (Normally 42.99), BigAl's 300W 19.33 (Normally 31.99)

 

[Ninjouzata]

Bump.

 

[Ninjouzata]

Bump

 

[mikec707]

I think you should go with some albino bichirs they are much smaller an you could keep several of them an still have plenty of room for other bottom dwellers.
I've got 2 albinos in my 125. Along with Jaguar cat, 3 redtaild loaches, an a gold nugget.
As far as your other questions they should be broken up an put into the sections filters, food...

 

[mikec707]

I should add that I have 2 Angels, leopard ctemopoma, an 6 roselines with no problems

 

[Ninjouzata]

As in two more albino bichirs (are you referring to albino senegals?), or replace the current ones with that? Is this tank not suitable for the others? I had been told even a 75g would be suitable so now I'm not so sure

Do you mean I should post threads in all the different sections? I'm just double-checking that is what you mean. I am trying not to clutter up the forums, I already feel bad for bumping every once in a while.
I will do that though when the tank gets closer to being ready. We're going on friday with a list of the fish so I can write down their prices and whatnot.

Thank you for your response by the way

 

[Remz]

Here was the stocking plan:

1x Brown Ghost Knife
1x Leopard Ctenopoma
1x Angelfish
1x Delhezi Bichir
1x Palmas Palmas Bichir
1x Palmas Beuttikoferi Bichir
6x Schooling Fish

I won't pretend to be much of an expert on Bichirs... though quick glance I don't see a problem and that looks like a cool combination.

Scratch the Brown Ghost Knife, you know you can take care of that tank sufficiently that a Black Ghost Knife will be AWESOME in there.

Love the Leopard Ctenopoma that most people buy thinking it is a "small fish".

Angel. Any ideas on the coloration you want yet? This could be a sweet centerpiece fish of sorts if you get one that compliments the other fish colors well. Keep in mind a single angel might look pretty small in there. Have you considered 5 angels instead of a single angel and some schooling fish? They might be feisty if your bichirs and knife are small in the beginning.... but long term, they will probably just hassle eachother. Then you have to watch out of a breeding pair, which I suspect is what you don't want.

Have you considered another cichlid in there? Say a Jack Dempsey or something that you can ad to the tank after the other fish have grown out a bit? I have a JD that is absolutely a sissy in my tank (and growing relatively slow). Maybe not the best example, but to get you and some other people here thinking about possible compatibility.

I am wondering now, if I could replace the brown ghost knife with a black one. The black one is my absolute dream fish, and I had originally planned on waiting til we had our own house and I was able to get a 8x4x3 made for it.
The temptation to get it now is very strong and I am wondering if it'd be alright or not. I know on here it has their minimum tank size listed as 75g but..that just doesn't feel right to me. Perhaps 6ft is better though?
If it did get too big for the tank I would hope I could upgrade, but I hate saying that as you never know what will come up. I'd also hope if I couldn't do that maybe I could find someone who had a tank big enough for it.

You know my thoughts here. Black Ghost or bust. They are a simple fish to keep. Good diet and clean water, happy. They are not your standard "monster fish" in a since that they cant contort and wiggle around in all directions. These guys just need a spot to hide and a tank that isn't a micro cube. Power to you to heir on caution and do your research.... you know this fish will be miserable in a 35g tank no matter how well kept.

I was also wondering if I could do a spiny eel..maybe a peacock? Or would it not work well with the bichirs? I'd also like to know if we could add any more bichirs.
I know I am asking a lot and if I had all I want the tank would likely be overstocked, which is why I'm asking ya'll.

That is a little out of my expertise... as I told you I'm not a bichir expert. I know I would like a peacock eel myself... not sure. and I'm not going to go good search to pretend I know. I do think you have some stocking room in this tank though. On to that later.

..Also also, haha, should I keep the schooling fish at 6 or can I bump them up a bit? I imagine it will depend on which ones I get but want to pose the question anyways.

Depends... I know you don't want Silver Dollars (I love mine BTW... minus the lawnmower bit).

You could keep a medium sized schooling fish in more than 6 for sure. What are you thinking of keeping? Some large species tetras could be fun, but would probably torment an angels fins.

We have ordered a SunSun HW 304B which is THIS one. Is it okay to have just this one on the tank while the fish are still juveniles? We will add another one later on, or hopefully something even stronger to run alongside it.
The bichirs won't be added in until later either so less stocking for a bit as well. We can run an Aqua-Tech 30-60 on the other side to provide more flow and a little more filtration as well until we get another canister.

I think that canister will be just fine to start. You WILL ABSOLUTELY need more filtration down the road. I run 7x turnover from my Fluvial and Eihem canisters on my 75g. Added an Marine 75g HOB filter in the last couple of months to help make the filter cleaning process easier w/o risking spikes.

I would like to know how big of a heater, or heaters, we'll need for this tank. As well as good places to get them from.

Someone else chime in here?

Off the top of my head I'm running a 300w adjustable stealth heater for my 75g (Marineland maybe). 2 heaters would be more ideal.... this bad boy has survived my cichlids from day one. Does not give a red "on" light that will encourage foul play. Not much of an issue in your tank, but they look stealth and hold up (For me anyways). Ajustable is key, and you might as well buy new. Last thing you want is some two-bit heater to electrocute your fish.

I would like some thoughts on what media to put in it and in what order to place them in. I have spoken to someone who has this exact filter and she uses noodles, MATRIX, and bioballs. She says this allows for better flow as well.

No major input here. Look at a Fluvial or any respectable catalog online and setup similarly. If it aint broke.....

The tank we picked up does not have a lid which obviously we need, so if ya'll know where to get lids for this size tank I'd love to hear it. I found one place but am not sure if it's what we're looking for. HERE it is.

I need a decently priced lid too.

Now for how the tank will look. I plan on black sand, but am not sure on the background. I think a black background would make it a bit too dark especially with the types of fish I'm getting. I want to be able to see them!
Here is my favorite background that I've found, would like to hear thoughts on it: NATURAL MYSTIC.

I'm a fan of either no background or a black backround. I've had the colored/realistic ones in the past and replaced them. Not my recommendation. How about a "graphite" color sand... not black. or a finer greyish/tan gravel?

I have the most beautiful painting ever of what I had planned on the tank to sort of look like. This is very much open for change since I am awful at aquascaping. I know it's hard to recommend plants as we don't know the lighting yet.

View attachment 979401

The floating plants are amazon frogbit, the big leafed ones between the PVC pipes are banana plants, the fuzzy green on top of the PVC is moss, the plants above the moss would be like behind the PVC and those are water sprite, and the reddish brown plants on each side are red crypts (wendtii?).

Plan on Java Fern and Amazon swords for now! see how the tank works out and then plant the living snot out of it if all seems will. I know we all want to plant our tanks before they are even set up, but for a tank like this, get the fish, get the filters going, and make sure everyone is healthy. Thennnnnn plant away with a long forcep. That's just my opinion of course. You've seen my layouts of larger tanks before for idea (although lightly planted)

And now onto food. I have been recommended Hikari Tropical Sinking Carnivore Pellets for the bichirs. As well as treats of earthworms, black worms, ghost shrimp, and tilapia.
I never did get recommendations for the other fish though, so I would really love to hear some suggestions. I'd also like to know where to buy them, such as petco.

For the treats such as tilapia, can I just get the kind at say wal-mart? Or is there something specific I need to look for?

I believe that's all. Thank you to anyone who reads this and I very much appreciate any and all responses, can't wait to hear from ya'll.

Hikari anything is good. I have heard many many times that the sinking pellets are great for bichirs... though I suspect you put a decent frozen food in you won't have to worry about any fish in the tank not eating. Staple diet flake or pellet (i prefer pellet) to just put in there that everyone will eat on a regular basis .... supplemented with some blood worms, brine shrimp, ghost shrimp, etch. Even some beef heart chopped up small would be a good occasional snack. Those fish can really eat anything you give em. My BGK went to town on a zucchini last week.

Can't wait to see the tank build thread!

 

[Ninjouzata]

@ReMz I'm not going to quote you because if I do we're going to have quite a wall

When I first started thinking about this tank, the main part was the knife..but after spending time looking at all the fish I am so very excited for the ctenopoma and the bichirs as well!
I'm glad you still think the BGK will be fine. I think we are pretty much going with that unless someone can be very convincing in telling me to not do that. Still think Gengar will be the best name ever.

The angel is for my Dad, so he will get to pick it out. I am a fail at doing complimenting colors..can you possibly give me some ideas and I can try to sway him towards those? Or even better hopefully he'll like them the most anyways.
My dad would love for us to have a bunch of angels but I am not sure I'm ready for the hassle of exactly what you said. Plus I don't want it bugging the knife. I am going to try to get everyone around the same size if possible.

I am not the biggest cichlid fan, I am interested in Oscars, which I know you've said, and I agree with myself, shouldn't be in with the BGK. Other than that I like flowerhorns which also shouldn't really be in there either.
Now, there was one other cichlid that I particularly liked and could not figure out the name of..but you got it. Jack Dempsey I thought they were really mean though? Is that why you'd advise to add it later? I'm just not sure how comfortable I feel with it since like I said the BGK is my dream fish..if someone can harm it I'd rather it not be in the tank. I know that is already a possibility with the bichirs and whatnot but cichlids seem a whole other story to me. <^ Scratch all that about the JD. I don't want it uprooting the plants! They are beautiful though.

For the schooling fish..HERE is a list of ones I've been recommended and it has in parantheses my concerns on them. My favorites have been the congo tetras and upside-down catfish but my dad doesn't like the coloration on the USD cats and I -think- the congos will be too expensive for his liking, will have to discuss it further with him but he already doesn't like 4$ per fish so he will really hate 10$ per.

We definitely plan on adding more filtration. Or I do anyways. Dad didn't seem to understand why we need it even though I tried explaining that they are big messy fish.

We ordered two Aqueon 300W heaters (got a good deal too, atleast imo. 19.99 each). I hope they can stand up to these fish. Would the JD have issues with the red light, if we were to incorporate that into the stocking?

I can't stand not having a background, seeing all the wires and such in the back..arg. I think I will lose the BGK on the black background (except for the white stripe), so I'd like something that is not too fake-y bright but not too dark either.
Did you happen to look at the background that I linked? Would love to hear your thoughts on it! I want the sand black as that is what I have in all my tanks and have been told it brings out the best coloration in bichirs. My fiance has tan sand in his and I hate it.

I really wanted to plant the tank while it was cycling so the plants could get their roots growing before adding the fish, and it would also likely speed up the cycle although I'm not worried about that as I'll be using mature media and my dad likes to take it slow so we don't spend too much money at once. I have seen your tanks and they're lovely, actually do you know of any lovely wood that isn't too pricey? I really like branchier stuff like manzanita.

Glad to hear you recommend Hikari. I had heard something bad about it before but it had to do with flowerhorns so probably wasn't an issue for me anyways. Phantom is so stinkin' cute I'm sure you'll run out of guppies soon!
What is the staple food you've been giving your BGK? I know of the treats but not the staple. I prefer pellets as well.

What sort of brand/food/size would you recommend as a staple for the other fish? I rather like new life spectrum but not sure what size I'd need. Would THIS do? And then maybe transition to THIS? And maybe even then to THIS? XD
Or would that still be too small? Or too big? Sorry I am just concerned about them getting enough to eat and not having trouble with it! I know most of my fish now need to have the small formula or it's too big it seems.

Thank you so much for your in-depth response. I really appreciate it. I knew I could count on you