Central Thorichthys or South Gymnogeophagus for my first 55 Gallon?
- Thread starter Grubhead
- Start date
Sorry, I was thinking of this store: http://www.thatpetplace.com/Xiphophorus-helleri-swordtail-272055
Select Aquatics looks like a more reputable source for them.
I have been checking out the goodeids as well.
So many choices...so little space...need to convert the garage next! lol
Select Aquatics looks like a more reputable source for them.
I have been checking out the goodeids as well.So many choices...so little space...need to convert the garage next! lol
Well, I went with the Thorichthys maculipinnis instead of the Gymnogeophagus el Norte. A member of the Greater Seattle Aquarium Society gave me a pair of what he thinks were the Rio Otapa swordtails.
I also have quite a few plants after this last plant auction, so I'll be seeing what plants do well with the cichlids. I was thinking java fern, anubias, and water lettuce should do well. I also have some very large vals that I can try to pot and put in the back of the tank.
I didn't stick with a biotope theme. I ended up getting some Zebra spiny eels. Hopefully there is no aggression toward the eels so I don't have to re-home them. The eels may get large enough to eat the smaller swordtails, so I may have to raise any swordtail fry in a separate tank until they are larger.
Ideally I will be able to upgrade to a 70 gallon or larger once the fish get larger. The 12 inch width of the standard 55G is small.
I really do like the setup though with the used stand I found on Craigslist and Petco's $1 per gallon aquarium.
I'll post a reply once the tank is complete, but here are some pics. I had a good blue/green algae bloom that has since stopped, plants and first fish will go in later this week if all looks good.
The oak branches and driftwood seem to have increased the ammoinia and I'm thinking I'll take the driftwood back out and pressure wash it good. The outer layers seem soft and are breaking down too quickly.
The oak seems to be doing awesome so far! Just a bit of fungus growing on some areas.
I also have quite a few plants after this last plant auction, so I'll be seeing what plants do well with the cichlids. I was thinking java fern, anubias, and water lettuce should do well. I also have some very large vals that I can try to pot and put in the back of the tank.
I didn't stick with a biotope theme. I ended up getting some Zebra spiny eels. Hopefully there is no aggression toward the eels so I don't have to re-home them. The eels may get large enough to eat the smaller swordtails, so I may have to raise any swordtail fry in a separate tank until they are larger.
Ideally I will be able to upgrade to a 70 gallon or larger once the fish get larger. The 12 inch width of the standard 55G is small.
I really do like the setup though with the used stand I found on Craigslist and Petco's $1 per gallon aquarium.I'll post a reply once the tank is complete, but here are some pics. I had a good blue/green algae bloom that has since stopped, plants and first fish will go in later this week if all looks good.
The oak branches and driftwood seem to have increased the ammoinia and I'm thinking I'll take the driftwood back out and pressure wash it good. The outer layers seem soft and are breaking down too quickly.
The oak seems to be doing awesome so far! Just a bit of fungus growing on some areas.
