First tank, thoughts?

[Evankeirce]

This is my first tank, any input is appreciated! It’s a 100 gallon marineland lobster tank repurposed as a freshwater fish tank. Are old lobster tanks decent? Set up with two FX4’s. Six fish, two Jack Dempsey’s, catfish, parrot fish, silver dollar, and a cichlid. Not sure on the species of the catfish or cichlid, help there would be appreciated too.

 

[Jexnell]

The mysterious cichlid looks to be some sort of Amphilophus. If you were not told we probably won't know for sure as several sp. are so simular.
The Catfish is a Pimelodus Blochii is my guess, Four line Pim common name.

Sd's are a bit too busy for tanks less than 6ft, and need a group to be comfortable.

The JDs look both male, so I would keep an eye on them. They may get along atm, that could change with little to no warning.

 

[Evankeirce]

The mysterious cichlid looks to be some sort of Amphilophus. If you were not told we probably won't know for sure as several sp. are so simular.
The Catfish is a Pimelodus Blochii is my guess, Four line Pim common name.

Sd's are a bit too busy for tanks less than 6ft, and need a group to be comfortable.

The JDs look both male, so I would keep an eye on them. They may get along atm, that could change with little to no warning.

I’ve definitely seen one JD chasing the other but they get along usually hanging out close to one another. I was wondering their genders but could not figure out how to identify male vs female. All of these fish came with the tank, I got it from a local restaurant that was tired of doing the maintenance. The catfish does seem to be very energetic for the tank size and has been doing a lot of glass surfing.

 

[Hendre]

That odd one almost looks like a thoricthys of sorts! duanes may know more!

 

[tlindsey]

Welcome aboard

How did you cycle the aquarium?
The catfish is a specie of Pimelodus and the Cichlid looks like a Parrot Cichlid hybrid.

 

[Evankeirce]

Welcome aboard

How did you cycle the aquarium?
The catfish is a specie of Pimelodus and the Cichlid looks like a Parrot Cichlid hybrid.

Unfortunately I could not cycle the tank. I bought this from a restaurant that was tired of doing the maintenance on the fish, I had no place to put the fish while cycling the tank. So far they’ve all survived. How long does it take for the tank to fully cycle? I’ve had one fx4 on there for a month and a half then the other is new. All bio media was brand new when I put it in. Nitrates are high and have been since the start, nitrite is 0.

 

[tlindsey]

Unfortunately I could not cycle the tank. I bought this from a restaurant that was tired of doing the maintenance on the fish, I had no place to put the fish while cycling the tank. So far they’ve all survived. How long does it take for the tank to fully cycle? I’ve had one fx4 on there for a month and a half then the other is new. All bio media was brand new when I put it in. Nitrates are high and have been since the start, nitrite is 0.

It can take up 6-8 weeks. If you had not replaced the bio media in the first FX it would have jump started the cycle. Test your parameters weekly during this process. Also your fish will show signs like flashing, Labored breathing, Clamped fins and fish may refuse to eat. Also may have deaths.

 

[esoxlucius]

"Nitrates are high and have been since the start", at least suggests that the FX4 you started off with has given you a very good kick start to your cycle, in fact it may have given you an immediate cycled tank, which is good.

But if your nitrates have been high from the start as you state, and you are a month in, then you should have been doing water changes by now to keep the nitrate in check. But you haven't mentioned anything about water changes!

Can you elaborate on this because that nitrate must be very high by now.

 

[Evankeirce]

"Nitrates are high and have been since the start", at least suggests that the FX4 you started off with has given you a very good kick start to your cycle, in fact it may have given you an immediate cycled tank, which is good.

But if your nitrates have been high from the start as you state, and you are a month in, then you should have been doing water changes by now to keep the nitrate in check. But you haven't mentioned anything about water changes!

Can you elaborate on this because that nitrate must be very high by now.

In the time i’ve had it I have done one 20% water change about a week ago.

 

[Evankeirce]

It can take up 6-8 weeks. If you had not replaced the bio media in the first FX it would have jump started the cycle. Test your parameters weekly during this process. Also your fish will show signs like flashing, Labored breathing, Clamped fins and fish may refuse to eat. Also may have deaths.

I bought the fx’s after getting the tank, originally it was two powerheads running gravel filtration. Crossing my fingers it works out! So far so good.