Polypterus beginner need advice

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J

josh0468

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 3, 2012
17
10
3
Philippines
Hi all

I decided to buy my self a new 180 gallon aquarium and decide to put Polypterus in that aquarium, can you give me advice on the following:

Substrate and filtration system to use( a basic set up for a Polypterus aquarium
Water Level - i will be buying little ones 1-2 inches because i prefer growing things, i have a 50 gal in case this one's too big for young ones.
Tankmates - can i put Apteronotus albifrons on that tank with them if they are of the same size. i also have a cichlid tank so i dont like to put one there. i would prefer eels with them.

And finally some advice on how to make sure its the right specie, i would also like to get Polypterus endlicheri congicus and a Polypterus ornatipinnis, can you tell me distinct characteristics on these specimen so i can tell its the real deal.thanks.

Sorry if i post it on the wrong section.

Thanks and best regards:D
 
Substrate: is a flexable issue any substrate wiill do, however i have read that black sand brings out their color better
Water Level: Fill Up the tank to the point where it reaches the bottom of the outer rim of tank, if it is rimless leave about 4cm
Tankmates: the Knife and the eel will do fine as long as they are the same size
Advice: use the search and READ THE STICKIES over and over again
 
You should have fine gravel or in best case sand because polys can accidentaly swallow bigger gravel when eating and die
 
mrwinkle said:
Substrate: is a flexable issue any substrate wiill do, however i have read that black sand brings out their color better
Water Level: Fill Up the tank to the point where it reaches the bottom of the outer rim of tank, if it is rimless leave about 4cm
Tankmates: the Knife and the eel will do fine as long as they are the same size
Advice: use the search and READ THE STICKIES over and over again
Click to expand...

i agree
 
Farox said:
You should have fine gravel or in best case sand because polys can accidentaly swallow bigger gravel when eating and die
Click to expand...

+1 Great reminder Farox
 
Farox said:
You should have fine gravel or in best case sand because polys can accidentaly swallow bigger gravel when eating and die
Click to expand...

so sand will be the best substrate for polys, it will be my first time using sand... does it need an undergravel filter?(i know ridiculous question..ahah..i really have no idea.) are there any guidelines for it except for cleaning it thoroughly, and how do i make sure its fine sand?characteristics?

I know so many questions, pardon me being a noob...but i do appreciate all your help, and because of it i think me, keeping polys will be a success...
 
Absolutely not on the under gravel filter. For a 180 you'll want a bigger canister and maybe even an ac110 or two. Can't have too much filtration. you'll want to be careful about sand going in your filter intakes for hob's, but you can easily modify them with a sponge prefilter. When they say fine sand, that just means a smaller grain than gravel. Silica sand works well, as it's fairly heavy and won't blow around to much. As far as maintenance, just hold your siphon an inch or so above the sand, all the crap will be sitting on top and get sucked right up. Also, stir the sand up occasionally to avoid toxic gas pockets. They're easy to avoid, but can do serious damage if you're negligent with you're tank maintenance.
 
large sausage pizza said:
Absolutely not on the under gravel filter. For a 180 you'll want a bigger canister and maybe even an ac110 or two. Can't have too much filtration. you'll want to be careful about sand going in your filter intakes for hob's, but you can easily modify them with a sponge prefilter. When they say fine sand, that just means a smaller grain than gravel. Silica sand works well, as it's fairly heavy and won't blow around to much. As far as maintenance, just hold your siphon an inch or so above the sand, all the crap will be sitting on top and get sucked right up. Also, stir the sand up occasionally to avoid toxic gas pockets. They're easy to avoid, but can do serious damage if you're negligent with you're tank maintenance.
Click to expand...

thanks.. any distinct characteristic for Polypterus endlicheri congicus, people here can mislabel things..wahaha
 
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