150 almost ready...

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jschall

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 9, 2009
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Chico, California
So, I'm almost ready to put in my 150 tall (48"x24"x30"). I'm trying to decide on a substrate, hardscape, plants and some fish.

Fish:
The fish I will be moving from my 75 are an 8" delhezi bichir, 9" ornate bichir, and 3 12" ropefish. I had congo tetras before they were killed by a heater malfunction.
I want to keep a sort-of congo river biotope, but since it's a tall tank, I'm thinking I need more activity up top than the bichirs will provide. I'll definitely be getting at least one african butterfly fish, which I used to have but it jumped out through a tiny hole. I don't know about congos, as I had issues with the bichirs trying to eat them. Any other options? Maybe something big (that will live its life out in this size tank?)

Hardscape:
I am in search of good examples of freshwater hardscape in tallish tanks like this one... I like mopani wood, but most pieces of it available are pretty small. I have some nice pieces in the 75, but they're all absolutely covered in bba and hair algae.

Plants:
What good plants will fit with the sort-of african biotope? I want to densely plant so that I don't get algae, but I need plants that are hardy. I'll have at least dual t5ho, might upgrade to quad. I was thinking wisteria, anubias, bolbitis, valisneria. Maybe red tiger lotus.

Substrate:
Bichirs can get impacted with gravel substrates, but I was wondering if flourite would work with them, since its a smaller gravel. Otherwise, anyone have experience with flourite sand? What are my other options? I know 3m unfortunately stopped making the colored sand...

So, substrate, hardscape, plants, and fish... what do you guys think? Any good examples of hardscape and plants in a tall tank like this would be appreciated...
 
substate, aquarium sand. NO GRAVEL!
decor, flower pot, drift wood
plant, not really needed but i'll say sword plants.

no tetras or smaller fish! the bichirs will eventually eat them!
 
Definitely not putting flower pots in my tank. This is a display tank going in my living room, with a custom-built stand and canopy.

Congo tetras are 4" fish. I'm not certain if they were being attacked and eaten or dying and then being eaten, but the bichirs sometimes appeared to be stalking them. So, I'm not certain I want to take the risk.
If there's a bigger option that's compatible with bichirs, that's what I'd take.
 
have a friend who has kept polypterus on fluorite with no issues. its fine enough they would have to eat a lot to get impacted, he did a mix with some other clay-like plant substrate and it came out great. swords are nice, i would do lots of floating wisteria and water sprite, both grow like weeds and your polys will love to hang out tangled up in them - leopard ctenpoma would be a great fish to add to your tank, maybe even 2 or 3 of them - would also consider an african brown knife if you can find one near full sized as they grow a lot slower than your polys will. manzanita wood and mopani wood are both excellent choices. hope this helps can't wait for some pictures!

as far as the congos yeah your bichirs will stalk and eventually eat some of them, but personally if i were you and you can find them at a reasonable price throw in 8-10 that are already at least 2.5-3" and keep the ornate and del fed well. best of luck!
 
jschall said:
Definitely not putting flower pots in my tank. This is a display tank going in my living room, with a custom-built stand and canopy.

Congo tetras are 4" fish. I'm not certain if they were being attacked and eaten or dying and then being eaten, but the bichirs sometimes appeared to be stalking them. So, I'm not certain I want to take the risk.
If there's a bigger option that's compatible with bichirs, that's what I'd take.
Click to expand...

:confused: what so bad about clay pots?? They're actually quite good decor! most of all, great hiding spots for bichirs.
 
lix.ma14 said:
:confused: what so bad about clay pots?? They're actually quite good decor! most of all, great hiding spots for bichirs.
Click to expand...

I think the op meant that the pots didn't go with their theme
 
NCStateFisher said:
have a friend who has kept polypterus on fluorite with no issues. its fine enough they would have to eat a lot to get impacted, he did a mix with some other clay-like plant substrate and it came out great. swords are nice, i would do lots of floating wisteria and water sprite, both grow like weeds and your polys will love to hang out tangled up in them - leopard ctenpoma would be a great fish to add to your tank, maybe even 2 or 3 of them - would also consider an african brown knife if you can find one near full sized as they grow a lot slower than your polys will. manzanita wood and mopani wood are both excellent choices. hope this helps can't wait for some pictures!

as far as the congos yeah your bichirs will stalk and eventually eat some of them, but personally if i were you and you can find them at a reasonable price throw in 8-10 that are already at least 2.5-3" and keep the ornate and del fed well. best of luck!
Click to expand...
Good to hear about the flourite.
I'm not certain I want floating plants, as they'll shade any plants I have growing in substrate.

Leopard ctenopoma is great advice, but they grow unbelievably slow and they're only available at 1.5"... Anywhere I can get 4-5"+?
 
Maybe you can get some bigger fishes like silver shark, sultan fish, silver dollar, big angel to go with your birchirs but some fishes will eat your plants. Ornate are quite fierce at night and great hunter. All birchirs will also like to hide under soft or small sand bed so have something bigger on top if can.
 
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