90 Gallon - Overstocked or OK?

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H

Headrush

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 10, 2007
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Upstate New York
HI folks. I'm new to your site and must say it looks great so far. Still learning my way around and need a little help from you. I'm getting a 90 gallon in a few weeks. I'm setting it up to house 4 cichlids:

JD 6" currently in his own 30 gallon (I know thats too small, sorry JD)
GT 3 1/2"
Firemouth 3"
Salvini 3"
Common Pleco 7-8"

I want to run 2 HOB Aquaclear 110's, and plan on attaching some Java Ferns to lava rocks (2 big ones) for additional cover. Along with the Java Fern I'll have plenty of wood and rock structure, but of course will leave some swimming room.

a LFS about 45 minutes away has a deal on the 90 with a beautiful wood stand, hood, lights, 70+ lbs of gravel, and heater, all for $600. Good deal right? Best I could find so far

Any set up advice along with your opinions on this stocking are welcome! Got a feeling I mioght be asking for trouble keeping the firemouth in there (might get picked on), but i can remove him from the stocking if necessary.

Thanks to all in advance!
 
you're ok with those you can add 2 small pimelodie catsfish also. Nice mix none of those are real killer types on average.
 
I would run 1 AC110 and 1 Canister filter. Probably a Fluval 404 would be best.

You'll get tons more bio-filtration if you have a canister. HOB's are great, but arent as efficient and are more good for surface agitation. So a combo of 1 HOB and 1 Canister will be most beneficial.

Other than that, your combo sounds pretty good. Lots of color for sure. It will be somewhat of a gamble with the GT. Hopefully he wont make minc meat out of the FM. But if they all start small, they should be fine.
You could add a smaller species of Pleco or a Syno Cat too.
 
Right on! Thanks for the replies. Lots of color is what I was shooting for. BUT like I said, the JD is almost 6" and I'm guilty of putting him in a 30 to begin with so I need to fix that right away. I was/am a little worried he's gona pound on the others cause he's used to being alone. So I thought I'd put the GT, Salvini, and firemouth in for a month or so before I put JD in there. Good idea? The GT's a sissy. At 3" I dropped a red worm (Earthworm about 2") and he tried to make friends with it. He's the only fish I've ever seen refuse a worm. But I cut one up a few days ago and he's getting the hang of it now;)

Also Cannister filters are a bit of a mystery to me and frankly they're friggin expensive.:WHOA: But maybe thats cause I'm not looking at the right ones. Started looking at Eheim and WOW I can spend a lot of cash fast. I know they hold a lot of media but those Aquaclears do too. Still would do a better job you think? Can I get one for under $100?

That 90 gal set up is a pretty gool deal for $600 isn't it?

Thanks
 
I would dump the JD then it would be good IMO. Even though a 90 gallon seems like a big tank the footprint is only the same as a 75 gallon and that is what really matters.

Chad
 
i also have a 90g FW tank.
for filtration im using AC 110 and an XP3.
if your on a budget ide strongly recommend XP3. its very affordable if you shop around especially compared to Fluval/Eheim.
i was originally going to go with a Fluval 404 but after researching and getting feeback
the XP3 it was. and for a lot less.
the AC110 and the XP3 do a great job on my 90. (2 oscars)
i am in alberta canada and all my lfs are very high priced. The XP3 there was 288.99 but luckily i found a mail order supply company who sells it for 134.99, cant beat that hehe.
i actually saved 60% ordering majority of my equiptment through http://www.petsandponds.com/securestore/
there were a few companies that could match their prices but ive yet to find anywhere that beats their shipping rates.
 
Chad55;658896; said:
I would dump the JD then it would be good IMO. Even though a 90 gallon seems like a big tank the footprint is only the same as a 75 gallon and that is what really matters.

Chad
Click to expand...

I was considering the 75 as well. The 90 is about 4" taller and thought the extra volume of water might help. Should I go with a 75 and get rid of the JD? I think its a female

Thanks Danzig. Whats an XP3? could you elaborate a little bit? Thanks
 
XP3 is a model of canister filters by Rena Filstar
they are a fair bit cheaper than the Fluvals, Eheims but are built very good IMO.
mine is very very quiet, easy to setup and clean.
http://www.planetrena.com/Rena-XP-Filstar-Filters.html
the link will show you the specs for each model.
I bought one instead of fluval/eheim because i was on a budget, but to be honest
if i won the lottery today, and set up a new tank i would still choose the XP series after owning one myself.
i have heard alot of negative feedback on the Fluval series, and nothing but good feedback on Eheims (except the price).
But as for the best bang for your buck ide have to say Rena XP's.
just look into the the model you need of each of the brands and do a little feedback research on your options.I hear the XP's arent the greatest choice if you have live plants but im not familiar with that aspect.
 
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