Looks Like I Might Be Going Completely Native

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AMcCaleb

AMcCaleb

Gambusia
MFK Member
Mar 22, 2013
217
2
18
Southern IL
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I've been bit with the native bug recently and converted my 75 gallon tank in my office at work to a native sunfish tank. My two tanks at home have been tropical community planted tanks. I have a 120 in my living room and a 29 in my bedroom. We decided a few weeks ago we were going to be moving in July and I won't be able to set my tanks up right away so we decided that I was going to tear down my tanks and sell off my fish and plants that I currently have because I don't know how long it will be before I can set them back up again. So, today I've got someone coming to buy most of my plants and half of my fish. I'll probably have to downgrade my 120 to a 75 or 55 because of weight issues for my living room in the house we're moving into because I don't know how much the floor can support. I'm still wanting to do planted tanks with all native plants. I know that rules out most sunfish species but I'm wondering what setups would be good for a 29 gallon planted tank and a 75 gallon planted tank. Just looking for ideas on what to do with the tanks when I get them back up and running. I already have a sunfish tank so I'm looking for something different. I'll probably go with organic dirt topped with small grained gravel substrates. Not wanting to dose either except for maybe excel. Any suggestions on fish and plants?
 
120 gallon:
-1 rock bass
-2 black crappie or 2 yellow perch
-1 bullhead

29 gallon
-stream biotope, keep lots of shiners and darters
 
29-mudminnows,studfish and a madtom or two
75-a school of redfin shiners,a few madtoms,somekind of topminnow, and an Orangespotted sunfish as a centerpiece fish
or you could have Grass Pickerel in the 75
 
Mr.Catfish said:
29-mudminnows,studfish and a madtom or two
75-a school of redfin shiners,a few madtoms,somekind of topminnow, and an Orangespotted sunfish as a centerpiece fish
or you could have Grass Pickerel in the 75
Click to expand...

the 75 is full, the 120 isn't
 
If I wanted to do darters, specifically rainbow darters, in the 29 gallon, what would an ideal setup look like for that tank and are there any special requirements that they would need? Also, what would good tankmates or a good stocking list overall look like for that?
 
AMcCaleb said:
If I wanted to do darters, specifically rainbow darters, in the 29 gallon, what would an ideal setup look like for that tank and are there any special requirements that they would need? Also, what would good tankmates or a good stocking list overall look like for that?
Click to expand...

Ideal setup for darters would be a Planted tank, high lighting of course, large round flat rocks that they can perch on, and lots of current. Tankmates include shiners and minnows.
 
Ok, so I've got a 48 watt t5 ho bulb setup for the 29 and for substrate I was either going to dirt the tank and cover that with small grained gravel or just do the gravel. Which would you suggest? Also, for the current, I just have a HOB filter on there right now. Should I be looking into a small powerhead or something like that? What NA Native plants would be good in a tank like that? Also, I'm looking for specific species and quantities for a stock list.
 
I suggest sand or small grain substrate. Look for a small powerhead, enough for a small current that simulates a stream, preferably with a section that doesn't have current. Cambomba and hornwort are good native plants.
 
fish042099 said:
the 75 is full, the 120 isn't
Click to expand...
They said they were replacing the 120 with a 55 or 75.
Also a lot of darters like current. I find an efficient way of creating this is with a sump or canister filter and a spray bar. This way you only have one pump creating heat in your tank.Also an air stone is helpful when your tank gets warm. I believe an ideal setup for a lot of the darter species is a tank with cobble,gravel,and sand with a nice current along the bottom of the tank. Provide many hiding places within the rocks.You could add a few plants but make sure they can handle current. I have found some myriophyllum sp,fisseden moss,and a species of hairgrass in strong current in riffle areas around here.I have a few videos of tanks I have had set-up for darters and dace on you tube. You could also search You Tube for darter videos in the natural habitats.
 
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