CL tank keepers...need help

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frankthetank

Gambusia
MFK Member
Feb 2, 2008
129
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Naples, FL
WOO HOO!! So I got a 75 gallon on order today hopefully be here in a week. It's gonna be mainly a clown loach tank...maybe throw in some catfish or something along those lines. But I have a quite few questions since this will be tailored to clown loaches.

A) What would you use for the bottom of the tank? I really like gravel as opposed to sand because it seems a lot easier to clean with a gravel cleaner.

B) Second how much lighting? Clown Loaches are more active with less light correct? I have the option between a single 48" tube light or twin tube or even a triple. I thought maybe the twin tube. I won't have any live plants in the tank.

C) For filtration I'd like 2 Emperor 400's. Think that will be sufficient?

D) For heating I was thinking a Marineland Stealth. Is there a better option? What wattage would I need for a 75 gallon tank? Do I need just one or is it better to have one on each side of the tank?

E) How many clowns fully stocked do you think I could safely house? Would you put anything else with them and what would you recommend? As I said I would really like some catfish in there with the clowns.

Well I think that about covers everything. Something I missed? Thanks much for any and all replies. Super excited for this tank! :headbang2
 
The heating and filtration idea you have going is perfect. With loaches, you may notice that they are in fact most active right in the morning. My loach tank gets daily morning light so the tank is quite dark, but the loaches swim around like a pionier who's struck gold. A single tube will do.

Sand is better for loaches as it lets them dig around and act like themselves. If you do choose gravel, buy a very small gravel.

How big are you planning to get the loaches? They grow to a foot in 10 years on avergae so you have enough time to get a bigger tank if need be. Stocking about 7 clowns would be a good start.
 
Thanks for the reply! Unfortunatly out of the three stores (LFS, Petco, Petsmart) around that carry fish all the clown loaches are like 1" little babies. The Petsmart ones were a little bigger maybe 1.5". Kinda worried about how small they all are and being healthy. The LFS might be able to order me a little bigger ones, however it would be fun to grow them out from babies. I just hope they dont have the dreaded "skinny" disease cuz they are so small lol. So yeah they will definatly probably be small ones.
 
A) What would you use for the bottom of the tank? I really like gravel as opposed to sand because it seems a lot easier to clean with a gravel cleaner.

I went with sand and the loahes seem to love it. It is white though and shows all dark debree. If you go with a gravel, get as small diameter as you can.

B) Second how much lighting? Clown Loaches are more active with less light correct? I have the option between a single 48" tube light or twin tube or even a triple. I thought maybe the twin tube. I won't have any live plants in the tank.

A single tube will do fine for you. You'll find that the loaches will hide most of the time. You can get the LED moon lights and watch them after lights out.

C) For filtration I'd like 2 Emperor 400's. Think that will be sufficient?

Yes this will be good filtration.

D) For heating I was thinking a Marineland Stealth. Is there a better option? What wattage would I need for a 75 gallon tank? Do I need just one or is it better to have one on each side of the tank?

I would go with a pair of 150 watters. Having two undersized is safer, if one sticks on it will not have enough power to overheat your tank. If one should fail the other will keep the temp up enough until you can replace the bad one.

E) How many clowns fully stocked do you think I could safely house? Would you put anything else with them and what would you recommend? As I said I would really like some catfish in there with the clowns.

Clown loaches are a tight knit group I beleive you could go with a dozen, although they all will eventually need to be in a huge tank, but that would be a long ways away.
 
Go w/ the single tube strip. Most or all the activity will be at the bottom of the tank, especially if you get a cat. With the more subdue lighting it may encourge the loaches to be out more.

I personally would opt for alittle more lighting and try plants. The plants will add intrest and cover to the tank. I say try because some people have had mixed results w/ CLs and plants. 7 - 10 sounds good for long term husbandry. When the loaches are small you can try other strata fish to fill some space.
 
Thanks all for the input! I'll update with pictures as things start to happen. Found a great deal on a stand last night and set it up...just waiting for the tank to arrive.

I think I might try sand for the bottom. Is pool filter sand the best or regular play sand?
 
Pool filter sand has a larger grain size and would not cause water to cloud up as much. I have play sand in my tank, and rinsing before putting it into the tank took care of it. No matter what you use, be sure to rinse sufficiently.
 
Where's the pics.?
 
Well nothing exciting yet lol. The tank I had to special order so I'm hoping it comes in thursday otherwise it'll be next week. I got the stand all ready to go though :)

But pics will definatly be coming when I get everything

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