kinda new to fish, just got a 125

[Elephino]

I want to do freshwater, I have an outdoor pond and if I can do a sump for the 125 where I can hopefully put some tropical freshwater plants for the winter that would be great.

So I have the tank, on a stand, with a 55 gallon sump tank empty.

I need to get some plexiglass and some bio balls, I've been going thru the DIY section, I helped a friend build a sump for his tank a while back.

I'm scanning threads in this section and cutting and pasting fish suggestions to youtube.

I've decided that I want fish that eat other fish.

I want 4-5 different kinds of fish though, I really like the peacock bass.

If I start them young with other cichlids will they grow at the same rate? Am I stuck with just cichlids then?

Some questions..

Why do I see so many youtube videos of fish with no sand in the bottom of the tank? What are the benefits to this?

Why do people want to get fish off of live food? Is it expensive?

 

[haynchinook334]

Some questions..

Why do I see so many youtube videos of fish with no sand in the bottom of the tank? What are the benefits to this?

Why do people want to get fish off of live food? Is it expensive?

people have no sand because it is easier to clean.

live food can carry parasite, and the fish your feeding is not getting a proper diet.

not all cichlids grow at the same rate. frontosa's grow 20x slower then Pbass.

 

[Eleven Bravo]

Welcome to MFK. People dont like to feed live food because feeder fish carry disease and parasites that can spread to your fish when consumed. With the stand thing im not sure.

 

[koop171]

instead of bio-balls you can go the cheaper route and get the plastic pot scrubbies.


And welcome to MFK

 

[Lupin]

If I start them young with other cichlids will they grow at the same rate? Am I stuck with just cichlids then?

No two fish will grow similarly. Growth rate simply varies based on variables such as feeding frequency, environmental conditions, space alloted, etc.

Why do I see so many youtube videos of fish with no sand in the bottom of the tank? What are the benefits to this?

Barebottom tanks often are much easier to clean compared to tanks with substrate. This is not really necessary. It is up to you whether you want to set up a tank with substrate or not.

Why do people want to get fish off of live food? Is it expensive?

1. Parasite infections.
2. Lack of nutrients in some cases unless you can provide these feeders nutritious foods.

You don't want to forever get stuck to a fish that only eats live foods. Make it get accustomed to commercial foods. Live foods aren't always available all year around depending on your geographical location, and supply and demand.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

Yep, live foods arent that nutritious and they may contain disease that can transfer to your fish. Plus it can become a hassle always running to the store grabbing goldfish all the time. Non-live foods make it more convenient, its more nutitious too.

 

[Ang]

a good quality pellet is much more nutritous than feeders. better growth, colors and health for long life