hey guys! new member, new tank

[kroniksmoka420]

hey all hows it goin? so i got my new tank finally (55g) so i got it up and running 3 days ago i have 10 reds and 2 plecos in there, yes i know it will be overstocked soon i have a 125 planned for the upgrade

after i get the 125 i think ill get a juvie rhom or elong for the 55

so the reds were in a 30 gal for a while and now they got there new tank, scored the almost new 55 gal long + still twist tied lights and hoods for 35 bucks! i threw it together and put em in, i used a sponge filter and powerhead from my other tank to help cycle it and it seems to be working...i got my eye on it.

they are not that skittish, maybe cus of how many and/or how young? but whatever it is they arent that afraid of me being around

tank info:
ammo 0ppm
nitrite 0.25ppm
nitrate 5-10ppm
...thats after just 3 days...the emperor is brand new

10x rbp 2-3"
2x pleco 3-4"
emperor 400 filter
marineland 550? powerhead
marineland 200w heater
black sand and pea gravel

comments and input appreciated!

ok nuff talk heres some pics & vids

some vids of them eating

 

[Armand]

hey all hows it goin? so i got my new tank finally (55g) so i got it up and running 3 days ago i have 10 reds and 2 plecos in there, yes i know it will be overstocked soon i have a 125 planned for the upgrade

after i get the 125 i think ill get a juvie rhom or elong for the 55

so the reds were in a 30 gal for a while and now they got there new tank, scored the almost new 55 gal long + still twist tied lights and hoods for 35 bucks! i threw it together and put em in, i used a sponge filter and powerhead from my other tank to help cycle it and it seems to be working...i got my eye on it.

they are not that skittish, maybe cus of how many and/or how young? but whatever it is they arent that afraid of me being around

Hi M8.


There are a few things you must be aware of:

1.- Havig the plecos with the reds it's not the best option if you care for the plecos life. Sooner or later they will be caught by the reds and shreded apart, that is for sure.

2.-I hope youren't planning to keep a rhom along with the elongatus in that 55gal. It wont work mate, they would kill each other. moreover rhoms need pleny of space.

3.-Your reds arent so skittish because you have tank's lights dimmed wich is good for the pygos though not good for us to fully apreciate them.



Cheers.

 

[Ullopincrate]

and, Welcome to MFK. Congrats on your tank set up that was a score.

 

[jdstooge]

congrats on the catch you will enjoy the reds they are very personable. i have four in 100 gallon. you will definatliy want that 125 to put the reds in. well welcome to mfk. good luck

 

[G-Code]

Welcome. Nice setup. What do you feed?

 

[chloe]

welcome to mfk, nice setup
x

 

[kroniksmoka420]

thanks for all the comments guys

armand
no i dont plan on keeping a rhom and elong together, im gonna get one or the other, dont care if the plecos are food, they are just gonna haveto be on their toes theyve been with the little guys for a while (month or so) only a couple of nips...im sure that might change when the reds are like 5"+.
i dont have anything done to the lights they just arnt that bright? like some blueish-purple spectrum? maybe for the plants?

g-code i feed them tilapia fillet, silversides, krill (for the colors) occasional beefheart and live feeders (yea i know...bad) but it's fun to watch and i only do it occasionally usually some rosys i quarantine them first.

they also like the jumbo chichlid sticks, and depending on how hungry, they will beat the plecos to the algae wafers

i am breeding swordtails in a 10g, i have a seprate growout tank for the fry till they can go back in, so soon i will have my healthy "occasional" feeders

 

[kroniksmoka420]

just tested the water and i need to know?

i have 1 refillable cartridge in my emperor right now, it's full of brand new bio media, i have the other one sitting in a drawer, it is full of zeolite and carbon i dont want to add it yet because the bacteria need some ammonia to eat but when should i put it in?

todays day 5 in the new tank and the water is
ammo 1ppm
nitrite 1ppm
nitrate 10ppm

should i add the zeolite to bring down ammonia or will it "even out"
im gonna keep a close eye on it.

also when is the nitrate level "too high" or when should it mandate an early water change? at what level?

 

[Diogenes]

welcome to MFK

 

[808flipsyde]

be careful...Since you said that you just got the tank up and running...im thinking that it's not even cycled yet? Keep a eye on your water params because u might see a spike sooner or later. If that happens just keep doing water changes till the tank fully establishes itself with good BB. What else are u running for filtration? Remember u atleast want a 10x turnover rate (minimum but the more the better) for your tank...p's re very messey eaters and since they still look really young...they will eat alot. Good luck raising them and hope you upgrade to your 125g soon cuz your rbp's will grow out pretty fast.