proper tank setup?

[nicholasdances]

hello people, im going to be buying my first lungfish in a couple of weeks(SAL) and had a few questions about the proper tank setup for him.
first off he is going to be in a 125 with a young silver aro(dont worry just a growout tank) a few different plecos, pbass, and a couple rescued id sharks.
i keep reading that they need a lower water level when small, but with my aro thats not really possible i was wondering if this will be an issue?
also would he prefer a ton of driftwood for him to crawl around through or should i make rock caves for him? also subtrate, should i stick with bare bottom? id rather not because im concerned about decor and the glass underneath. and lighting, the lungfish that i have seen in person are in very dim lit tanks, would it be that bad for the lungfish to have the light on for a couple hours a day?
thanks for the help guys!
any additional tips would be appreciated

 

[SimonL]

How small is small? If it's under 12", I wouldn't put it in a tank that deep.

 

[nicholasdances]

not sure I havnt been able to actually locate one in the area yet, wanted to get the tank setup properly before I really went all out in my search for one
hmmm so it should be atleast a foot?
you guys know any reputable places online to order them for a reasonable price?

 

[SimonL]

As they grow they become decent swimmers, but the small ones are pretty reclusive. If it's small, I'd grow it up in a 30 long or similar size.

Can't help you with the online part, outside of Canada anyways.

 

[Wiggles92]

hello people, im going to be buying my first lungfish in a couple of weeks(SAL) and had a few questions about the proper tank setup for him.
first off he is going to be in a 125 with a young silver aro(dont worry just a growout tank) a few different plecos, pbass, and a couple rescued id sharks.
i keep reading that they need a lower water level when small, but with my aro thats not really possible i was wondering if this will be an issue?
also would he prefer a ton of driftwood for him to crawl around through or should i make rock caves for him? also subtrate, should i stick with bare bottom? id rather not because im concerned about decor and the glass underneath. and lighting, the lungfish that i have seen in person are in very dim lit tanks, would it be that bad for the lungfish to have the light on for a couple hours a day?
thanks for the help guys!
any additional tips would be appreciated

not sure I havnt been able to actually locate one in the area yet, wanted to get the tank setup properly before I really went all out in my search for one
hmmm so it should be atleast a foot?
you guys know any reputable places online to order them for a reasonable price?

It's going to need a lower water level as long as its on the small side (<12").

I would do a bunch of driftwood because it probably will tear down any rock caves that you make. My SAL frequently rearranges its aquarium, so plan on having decorations that will not harm it if it rubs up against them or are too heavy for it to move. Hiding places are key for SALs of any size, so be sure to provide a decent hiding place or two for the SAL. My SAL trashes its aquarium when I take out its "hiding place" despite the fact that it is only able to fit its head and a bit of its body in it. I have tried to give it larger hiding places, but it always "demands" to have the smaller one back.

Either go with no substrate or fine sand; you want to avoid having a substrate that will scratch/irritate the lungfish.

How bright the lighting is isn't that big of a deal as long as the SAL can get out of the light if it chooses to, so, once again, provide hidings places and you'll be fine.

Get one that's at least a foot if you want to add it directly to the 125 rather than have to grow it out in a separate aquarium.

Check with John (Snookn21). I got my 24" SAL from him for a great deal, and I'm pretty sure that he might be getting some smaller ones in soon.

 

[nicholasdances]

thanks for all of the great info!
you rule!