Setting up a BGK tank. Help please?

[Kaiden]

Hi everyone!

I'd like to ask for your help on how to properly set up a home for a BGK. I just got a 125 gallon tank and I wanted to add a BGK as a tank mate for my Oscar. This is my first time taking care of a BGK so I'm not sure where to start. I understand that they like having 'hiding spots'. Can you please guide me on what I'll need in terms of materials? I can't decide whether I should get a pvc pipe, make a cave using rocks or use fake driftwood. I saw those transparent tubes they sell called "Ghost Knife tube" but I'm guessing he will outgrow that quick.

Also, as for lighting, I read that they are sensitive to bright lights. I currently have 4 florescent fixtures. I'm thinking of replacing 2 of them to something that will imitate a 'night light'. Is there a 'blue' florescent bulb? I saw this bulb called Actinic but I'm not sure if it's going to fit my fixture because it says the diameter is a T-8 -> http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4511. Do you think that will work?

Lastly, I'd sure love to see a tank setup for BGK if you don't mind sharing! I think BGKs are such awesome fish. I really would like to set up a good home for it when I get one.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

[Runitis]

With experiences with my friends they are sensitive tto lights and will hide most of the day until lights are off then they are quite curios of everything. I heard PVC works wwell my, rock caves look good and my friend uses a fake hollow log from petsmart it was like $10. He uses a 30" simgle light fixture on his 50 wide and it still hides so you would need a full on low light tank to see it always.

Sent from my cave

 

[Slippery K]

Make plenty of hiding spots for the bgk, all 3 you mentioned in your origional post would work fine. I wouldnt recommend the clear tube thing though. Just make sure your oscar isnt picking on him and you should be ok. Good luck and keep us posted.

Oh and depending on your lighting fixture, you may be able to get some bulbs at your local hardware or department stores. For my rcks tank I use T-4 florescent blulbs I stole from my back room at work lol there not too bright and not too dim, they work out really well actualy.

 

[Nim Dibbley]

i have a large clear acrylic tupe in my aquarium for my bgk. It is 6 feet long and 6 inches in diamater. i had it custom made at a local plastic store for a different project but it is perfect for the ghost knife. He darts back and forth in there all day long until I put food in the tank. If I had a real cave/hiding place for him i dont think i would ever see him. Obviously, it doesnt look too natural in there, but depending on what you are planning to do with the tank something like that might work for you. i am glad i have it in there.

 

[Kaiden]

Thanks! No worries about my Oscar picking on him. So far, I've never noticed any aggression on my boy. He has a featherfin catfish tank mate and they seem to get along fine. I haven't seen scratches or missing scales on either. Crossing my fingers that he doesn't suddenly change.

Will a BGK still like to hide even when they get older/bigger or is this something that they will outgrow? I saw a nice piece of artificial driftwood that has a lot of small/medium holes in it where he can get it. But I don't think he'll be able to fit once he gets bigger. I'm also planning to put some amazon swordplants and java fern in my tank to hopefully help reduce nitrates. How well are they with plants?

 

[Slippery K]

Thanks! No worries about my Oscar picking on him. So far, I've never noticed any aggression on my boy. He has a featherfin catfish tank mate and they seem to get along fine. I haven't seen scratches or missing scales on either. Crossing my fingers that he doesn't suddenly change.

Will a BGK still like to hide even when they get older/bigger or is this something that they will outgrow? I saw a nice piece of artificial driftwood that has a lot of small/medium holes in it where he can get it. But I don't think he'll be able to fit once he gets bigger. I'm also planning to put some amazon swordplants and java fern in my tank to hopefully help reduce nitrates. How well are they with plants?

The bgk will be fine with live plants, your oscar might tare them up as gets bigger. My rck rips up alot of plants in his tank, so I only keep a few swords in there now.

 

[m1ste2tea]

Ive had a BGK for about two years till I sold him. I made for him a cave out of a big rock that was leaning towards the glass in the front. this effectively cut out the light in the area and I was still able to see him. I used a clear plastic tube when it was smaller, the only problem is that it got dirty on the inside and was hard to clean..





as far as lighting goes, there is no need for bright light setup unless you are growing some live plants. Id say a single fluorescent tube for the entire length(or split) would be good enough. If you have the money you could do a spotlight effect, keeping parts of the tank dark for the knife all of the time.

I found a video good example of such a setup....HERE

 

[Kaiden]

Thanks for all the input guys!

I have a ton of rocks at home that maybe I can build as a cave. I also saw two driftwoods that has a lot of holes in it that he can swim in and out from. I'll try to look for a pipe that isn't too transparent but not opaque either. That way I won't freak out if he's missing lol. I'm thinking maybe a hamster tunnel? They're colorful and somehow still see-through.

I'll post pics when I get everything setup.

 

[Bderick67]

my 110 gallon tank, home to a 15" BGK

 

[Kaiden]

Your tank looks great! I love how natural it looks. I really want to re-create something like that too. Thank you so much for sharing!