New tank, looking for recommendations on geophagus

[Ogertron3000]

Picked up some nice holey limestone today from a nearby creek. But then I got to thinking that the limestone might harden the water for the Geos. What are your thoughts on this? The tank looks a bit bare at the moment and I think I needs a little something more.

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I'm not sure but I'd guess the limestone would affect the water chemistr, I wouldn't risk it myself unless I had African cichlids.
You could probably get more suitable rocks from a garden centre nice and cheap, that's what I do when starting a new setup. Or get more wood from that massive pile in the pic you posted. Look at the winner of the TOTM, that tank was just wood and geos and looked amazing.

 

[Sonofthunder]

Guess I’ll have to save the limestone for the frontosa tank I’ve been thinking about, haha. Maybe some more driftwood is the answer. I’ll check out some garden centers for some other rocks, too.

 

[RD.]

Roundish smooth river boulders would look more natural, and IMO more aesthetically pleasing with your driftwood set up - which looks great BTW.

 

[mrrobxc]

Roundish smooth river boulders would look more natural, and IMO more aesthetically pleasing with your driftwood set up - which looks great BTW.

I agree. I’d stay away from limestone and just head to a local garden/yard landscaping yard and pick up all the rocks you need for less than 20 bucks.

 

[duanes]

I agree with the others, limestone would not be a good choice for Geophgines from east of the Andes, except, the Braziliensus group would be OK with limestone or the red hump group from west of the Andes.

 

[adamsfishes]

Sveni are beautiful but everyone has them. Everyone has red heads too. Personally, a good medium sized one that’s rarer, like a mirabilis, or something from the pacific slope like Crassilabrus or Alto Sinu would be good.

I try to avoid this way of thinking because in any given person's local circles, there's not likely to be another aquarist at all much less someone keeping the same fish. I don't worry about what's popular on the internet. I just get the fish I like.

 

[mrrobxc]

I try to avoid this way of thinking because in any given person's local circles, there's not likely to be another aquarist at all much less someone keeping the same fish. I don't worry about what's popular on the internet. I just get the fish I like.
[/QUOTE]

I hear you. I’m active on IG and everyone seems to play the same game. I like to mix it up a little as a result. Being heavily focused on Scapes helps too.

 

[Sonofthunder]

Finally got the geos today. A local importer hooked me up with five wild caught abalios, right in my price range. Excited to watch these guys grow!