Just can't wait!

[tiirsys]

So, I stumbled upon this site a couple of days ago. I was in a full blown I-want-my-aquarium-set-up-NOW, mode, and I don't have any money for the needed filter and critters right now.

The only solution was to peruse the internet and drool over the awesome creatures I want for my one (40G) meager tank. I was blown away by the people on this site with thousands of gallon tanks- something I have dreamed of having for years! I literally spent the past couple of days perusing these forums and just becoming almost giddy over all the different stuff I have seen. I love this place!

Well this only served to make me more eager to get my tank set up and have some fishy friends in my house once more. It has been three years too long!

So, in my obsession to have myself a tank I needed to do something to take up my time. So, I started making a list of all the fish I want, whether they be practical or not for the size tank I have now. Oh, and don't forget- I had to arrange my tank since it is something that I can accomplish!

I have polished natural stones with small ones mixed in for the bottom, though I would like to get a little bit of sand. I actually went through the rocks and separated out quite a bit of the small ones and put them in their own layer on the front right of the tank. (I am curious to see if my fish will treat the area differently.) I also have one large stone ornament on the right side of the tank with a couple holes for hiding. On the left side there is a tall spire-looking thing that is supposed to look like stone. Aside from that there are different looking plants all over the aquarium.

After taking the picture of my tank I realized that I forgot that I need a cover/light. Sadly, mine broke a couple years back while moving.

 

[probassfisher010]

In my opinion every tank is special, and every one should have one...would make the world a better place...Who cares if its not the biggest baddest tank out there, it's yours and thats all that matters. I have a 5g betta tank and it's one of my favorites out of the 7 I have! Now all that being said, lets talk about stock. Of course, filter is needed first, then to cycle it, then the lid/lights. Anyways its fun to think of the possible fish you can keep. I think a little community set up would be best for that tank, Corydoras for the bottom, your choice of species. Marbled hatchetfish would definitly look nice at the top..or just regular hatchetfish. For the middle a nice school of tetra ranging from sizes and colors from neon tetras to diamond tetras and much more imbetween. This is your choice.

Also! You could go for a bit more of an agressive tank...a pair of convicts, or pair of firemouths would fill the tank out nicely. Also there is the african cichlid side of things, you could do shellies and some other species, Im not big or knowledgeble on africans so Ill leave this research up to you. Of course there are many many many many more possibilities for this tank then I just mentioned. Have you thought of anything?

-Jesse

 

[C L O W N K N I F E]

Hello & Welcome

I think a school of rainbowfish and some small bottom dwellers like cory catfish would look great in that tank. But first, you will need to acquire a lid, lights, filter, and a heater. That can add up and be quite expensive, I would look on craigslist and see if there are any cheap used ones for sale there. You may also find other great things for sale and that are cheap on craigslist (like bigger and complete tanks!).

Oh & don't forget to cycle the tank and have your LFS check the water parameters before adding any fish

 

[tiirsys]

In my opinion every tank is special, and every one should have one...would make the world a better place...Who cares if its not the biggest baddest tank out there, it's yours and thats all that matters. I have a 5g betta tank and it's one of my favorites out of the 7 I have! Now all that being said, lets talk about stock. Of course, filter is needed first, then to cycle it, then the lid/lights. Anyways its fun to think of the possible fish you can keep. I think a little community set up would be best for that tank, Corydoras for the bottom, your choice of species. Marbled hatchetfish would definitly look nice at the top..or just regular hatchetfish. For the middle a nice school of tetra ranging from sizes and colors from neon tetras to diamond tetras and much more imbetween. This is your choice.

Also! You could go for a bit more of an agressive tank...a pair of convicts, or pair of firemouths would fill the tank out nicely. Also there is the african cichlid side of things, you could do shellies and some other species, Im not big or knowledgeble on africans so Ill leave this research up to you. Of course there are many many many many more possibilities for this tank then I just mentioned. Have you thought of anything?

-Jesse

Oh man, you have no idea how bad I have been about just looking at fish online the past few days! Luckily my old heater still works, but definitely need a filter and lid/light. $30 for the filter is not too bad, but I have no idea about what a lid/light will cost.

For this tank I definitely want:
x1 Sailfin Pleco - Glyptoperichthys gibbiceps (Plecostomus in general are one of my very favorites!)
x4-6 Neon Tetra - Paracheirodon innesi
x4 Zebra Danio - Danio rerio
x2-4 Blue Cobra Guppy - Poecilia reticulata
x1 Redtail Shark - Epalzeorhynchos bicolor (These guys have cute square-shaped mouths!)
x1 Ornate Bichir - Polypterus ornatipinnis (If I can get a little guy... So cute!)


I was going to post a list of fish I want overall, but sadly I thought I saved it but didn't.
Oh, and a note on African cichlids- I actually don't like them that much. There is only a couple of them that I really want for myself, one being the Blue Johanni Cichlid on this page: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+831+891&pcatid=891

I do however absolutely love Oscars and had one for a long time before my heater died during the dead of winter. That was actually the last time I had the tank set up.

 

[tiirsys]

Hello & Welcome

I think a school of rainbowfish and some small bottom dwellers like cory catfish would look great in that tank. But first, you will need to acquire a lid, lights, filter, and a heater. That can add up and be quite expensive, I would look on craigslist and see if there are any cheap used ones for sale there. You may also find other great things for sale and that are cheap on craigslist (like bigger and complete tanks!).

Oh & don't forget to cycle the tank and have your LFS check the water parameters before adding any fish

Oh, believe me, I have been looking. I am on the west coast of WA and man, everyone wants an arm and a leg for aquarium supplies. :/

 

[aclockworkorange]

For this tank I definitely want:
x1 Sailfin Pleco - Glyptoperichthys gibbiceps (Plecostomus in general are one of my very favorites!)
x4-6 Neon Tetra - Paracheirodon innesi
x4 Zebra Danio - Danio rerio
x2-4 Blue Cobra Guppy - Poecilia reticulata
x1 Redtail Shark - Epalzeorhynchos bicolor (These guys have cute square-shaped mouths!)
x1 Ornate Bichir - Polypterus ornatipinnis (If I can get a little guy... So cute!)
.

Just some friendly advice, all of those smaller schooling fish will end up in that bichir's stomach, and it will outgrow a 40 gallon anyway, as will the pleco.

 

[tiirsys]

Just some friendly advice, all of those smaller schooling fish will end up in that bichir's stomach, and it will outgrow a 40 gallon anyway, as will the pleco.

Oh, I know the Bichir and Pleco will outgrow the tank, but I want to get them both small anyways.
As for the Bichir eating others in the tank- I should be able to get a bigger tank before he gets too big. (I probably won't even have a Bichir for a while anyways. The other fish are a few dollars, and the bichir I want is pretty expensive. )

 

[probassfisher010]

You would be surprised what a 4 inch, actually most 4 inch bichirs, can eat. Also an ornate will hide, get way too big, look pretty when it's out, and be expensive. Honestly, get a senegal, I have two. Great fish, never hide, active fun to watch, best poly for home aquariums imo. But, the senegal may also eat some of the other fish haha, so you don't escape this.

 

[jdhuegel1]

Oh & don't forget to cycle the tank and have your LFS check the water parameters before adding any fish

PLEASE cycle the tank and only add the fish when it's ready.

 

[NCStateFisher]

TBH a 3" ornate could eat all of the fish you listed except the pleco, scratch a bichir off your list until you have a tank with larger fish for best results, and maybe replace that sailfin pleco with a little bristlenose