First Polypterus Tank

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ArchaicWaters

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 5, 2006
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Jamestown, NC
Hello,

I have been spending the last few months planning and setting up (ordering parts and going to the LFS for parts) my 75 gallon tank. I just ordered one of the last few peices of the tank 2 nights ago, and I find that it is time to start planning the the fish that I want within the tank.

I've decided that the only fish that I really care to have are the fish that fall into the Polypterus family. I was wondering about a few things...Knowing that it would be my first Bichir, should I start out with a P. Senegalus or 2, or should I go ahead and order a Delhezi that I have been wanting for a while now?

Concerning the cycling process that I will be starting soon...should I do it the long way or should I buy chemicals that say they "take care of the cycling process" for you?

I have a small problem with my tank...well, the tank itself is fine and in great shape, but the only top that it came with is a tight fitting screen like top. How and where could I get jus tthe right amount of lighting for the tank knowing the Polypterus don't need much light at all?

Thanks!
Shane :)
 
Yay on your first birchir! I won't be able to get mine for a while...

Anyway, I'd got for the dehezi, myself. With a 4 ft. tank you could probably even get two or three, depending on any aggression.

For cycling, I've actually had pretty decent results using a product called Cycle. It's not a water conditioner, but a live bacteria culture. I add it once when I set up, then a week or two later add another dose when I add fish. Bio-spira is another very good product for instant cycling (I'd still wait a few days, but it definitely speeds things up) but it is more expensive, and very perishable, but definitely worth it if you can find it.

And lighting... Do you plan to use any plants? If so, then you need to judge your lighting to suit their needs. If you're using just java fern or anubias or no plants at all, then 1 watt per gallon is fine. If you plan to use plants with higher light requirements, then more wattage will be necessary. I'd go to Home Depo or a hardware store and just get a normal 4 ft. fluorescent fixture for one or two tubes depending on what you want. One of those over your tank will provide plenty of light at a pretty cheap price. Or you could get two 24" fixtures, or any combination, really.
However, a screen top is not ideal. Screens are for reptiles who need good ventilation for their enclosures. With a screen top you're going to have a lot of evaporation which can damage the light fixture as well as making it necessary to top off your water level every few days, and if the screen is metal, then it may rust, which is something you don't want dripping into your tank. I'd suggest getting some 24x18 hinged glass canopies to go on top of your tank. They're made by Perfecto and you should be able to get them from any pet store, or order them online. They're not all that expensive.
 
ArchaicWaters said:
Concerning the cycling process that I will be starting soon...should I do it the long way or should I buy chemicals that say they "take care of the cycling process" for you?
Click to expand...

I have never had any luck with the product cycle. It doesnt actually have "live" bacteria, but dormant bacteria. The only way it could be live is if it needs to be refrigerated. So it may work, but it certainly doesnt work as "rapidly" as the bottle claims in my experience.

Now Bio-Spira is good. The correct way to use it is to put the Bio-Spira in, and within an hour, put your fish in. Your tank will go through a short "mini" cycle, but not long enough to cause your fish any damage.
Just make sure that the Bio-Spira is refrigerated and cold all the way up to when you add it to the tank.

But dont put the Bio-Spira in, waite a few days and then add the fish. The Bio-Spira needs the fish right away to produce the ammonia to feed the Nitrospira. Otherwise you'll lose some of the bacteria.
If you dont have the fish, you could always add common household ammonia to keep the bacteria fed until you get the fish. Just make sure its PURE ammonia. No suds.

Also, make sure to wait at least a week until your 1st water change so all the bacteria has a chance to attach itself to your filter media.

I just like to cycle tanks the fishless way. It might take a couple weeks, but its the best way to do it IMO.

the tank itself is fine and in great shape, but the only top that it came with is a tight fitting screen like top.
Click to expand...

Sounds like the top for a reptile aquarium, that wont do at all. You do need a tight fitting hood though. I'm sure you could order one from the LFS if they dont carry one in your exact dimensions. Like Illustrae said.
 
Die Fledermaus said:
I have never had any luck with the product cycle. It doesnt actually have "live" bacteria, but dormant bacteria. The only way it could be live is if it needs to be refrigerated. So it may work, but it certainly doesnt work as "rapidly" as the bottle claims in my experience.

Now Bio-Spira is good. The correct way to use it is to put the Bio-Spira in, and within an hour, put your fish in. Your tank will go through a short "mini" cycle, but not long enough to cause your fish any damage.
Just make sure that the Bio-Spira is refrigerated and cold all the way up to when you add it to the tank.

But dont put the Bio-Spira in, waite a few days and then add the fish. The Bio-Spira needs the fish right away to produce the ammonia to feed the Nitrospira. Otherwise you'll lose some of the bacteria.
If you dont have the fish, you could always add common household ammonia to keep the bacteria fed until you get the fish. Just make sure its PURE ammonia. No suds.

Also, make sure to wait at least a week until your 1st water change so all the bacteria has a chance to attach itself to your filter media.

I just like to cycle tanks the fishless way. It might take a couple weeks, but its the best way to do it IMO.



Sounds like the top for a reptile aquarium, that wont do at all. You do need a tight fitting hood though. I'm sure you could order one from the LFS if they dont carry one in your exact dimensions. Like Illustrae said.
Click to expand...


Yeah, the person I got the tank form kept a Iguana in it, but don't worry...It IS an AQUArium. The only reason they bought the aquarium instead of terrarium is because they couldn't find one big enough at PetSmart. They just bought the screen top instead of the aquarium top.

I will most likely be ordering the glass top. I've already got a page with the exact glass top that was mentioned on bookmark.

Thanks,
Shane
 
bio spira is great stuff i now use seachem stabillity i like this alot better and its alot cheaper than using bio spira

get a delhezi and senegal
 
dude, ArchaicWaters, what species of Poly. is that in your avatar? i want one as a freind for my ornate!!:D
 
nice you def..have to get some pics up and goin.....i would use bio spira to cycle the tank it works over nite...and ive used it plenty of times...you add the fish that nite wich is cooll...
 
dovii88 said:
nice you def..have to get some pics up and goin.....i would use bio spira to cycle the tank it works over nite...and ive used it plenty of times...you add the fish that nite wich is cooll...
Click to expand...

I will definatly try to get some pictures up once I get everything going. I just ordered my stand from Dr. Foster & Smiths. I need the heater, and airpump...and in theory...thats really all I need left.

Shane,
 
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