Hi everybody. Im new to this and would appriciate it if you guys could answer a few questions. I want to start a native tank with one or two smallies some bluegill crayfish ect. Is a 240 gallon tank going to be big enough or should i go for the 350 ive been looking at. I was also wondering what other gear ill need( filtration and such.) I was also wondering how much work it would be every day with a tank of this proportion after i got everything up and running.
noobie native tank questions
- Thread starter rorlando21
- Start date
For tanks, bigger is always better.
For your filtration, pick up a cheap 55-90 gallon used aquarium and build a DIY sump. It'll cost you a comparable amount to buying a pair of good canister filters and will be able to handle a much larger bioload.
Once its set up and running, it won't be too much work.
For your filtration, pick up a cheap 55-90 gallon used aquarium and build a DIY sump. It'll cost you a comparable amount to buying a pair of good canister filters and will be able to handle a much larger bioload.
Once its set up and running, it won't be too much work.
I agree with Chicxulub, I set up a 240 a few years ago, and put a 55 gallon sump under it with lots of bio bale, and live plants, that tank gets 24/7 high lighting, and water quality has never been an issue. Similar to the algae turf scrubber used in saltwater.
A sump is good, flow rate is pretty standard, you can use regular lighting, but make sure you have a variety of foods, some natives can be picky. With smallies I've had luck with blood worms, krill, cut up smelt, brine shrimp and anything live. That being said they can be trained to eat pellets but it is somewhat difficult.
Bigger is always better. Keeps you from having to upgrade later. The sump idea is a good one. I think that I am going to do that with mine eventually. I have a canister filter on there now ant it works fine. Daily upkeep on them is easy. Just the normal weekly water changes and feedings every other day or so. My lmb won't eat anything but shiners but they are rather in expensive. The gar is the same way.
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