Switching to Angelfish; Need Some Input

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Wiggles92

Dovii
MFK Member
Apr 25, 2009
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Pennsylvania
My dad is having me sell off the saltwater equipment & livestock from his 55 gallon in order to switch it over to freshwater. He wants to do a high-impact & low-maintenance angelfish setup, so I'm thinking that an Amazonian/Peruvian biotope with just driftwood (manzanita for a root look), pool filter sand, and a few nice rocks is going to be the way to go. The filtration will consist of a canister filter or two (one of which will be an XP2), a sump (probably a 20 gallon long), an AC110, and maybe a UV sterilizer if I can find one at a good price; I plan on cleaning out the filters and doing a 40-50% water change at least once a week (if that percentage is needed) in addition to daily top-offs. I'll probably be using the same light fixture as before (unless it sells), and I was thinking of swapping out some/all of the current light bulbs (2x 10000K & 2x actinic) in favor of some lower intensity white bulbs (maybe 6700K?) while possibly retaining one or both actinic bulbs for the sunrise/sunset effect; the light has three plugs: one for two bulbs, another for another two bulbs, and one for the LED moonlights.

Now then, on to my questions:
  • What other fishes can I keep with the angelfish? Since this is to be an Amazonian/Peruvian biotope, I was thinking of having at least a small school of larger tetras, a small school of Corydoras catfish (or a related genus), and maybe a couple of Otoclinus catfish; I know that certain tetras are out as they're the natural prey for the angelfish. I'm curious to see if there are any other good options for an aquarium this size.
  • How can I minimize aggression between the angelfish? I've read a few things on how to do that, but I'd like some more input.
  • Where is a good place to order wild or part-wild angelfish? I don't want any of those fancy domestic ones in there as the wild ones look way better.
  • Should I have a bag of peat in one of the filters and/or the sump? My water is from a well and is at or slightly below neutral, but I've read that the addition of peat can help to keep the water at the proper pH will providing other benefits.

Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated!
 
sounds like its gonna be a nice tank. cichlids will be cichlids so there will be aggression. people say get a group of 6+ to lesson the agression. but i would still get a nice group to make it look nice. as for tetra's i would recommend rummynose. not small enough to get eaten and doesnt get large. and they are one of the best schoolers out there. so u wont see them scatter everywhere. getting wild angels your best bet will have to be online. since your in penns. i would recommend mark over at anubiasdesign. a few friends just bought some very nice big wild angels from him and they were very pleased. so i would give him an email. hes also located in your state so maybe pickup is available if ur near him.
 
nikond70s said:
sounds like its gonna be a nice tank. cichlids will be cichlids so there will be aggression. people say get a group of 6+ to lesson the agression. but i would still get a nice group to make it look nice. as for tetra's i would recommend rummynose. not small enough to get eaten and doesnt get large. and they are one of the best schoolers out there. so u wont see them scatter everywhere. getting wild angels your best bet will have to be online. since your in penns. i would recommend mark over at anubiasdesign. a few friends just bought some very nice big wild angels from him and they were very pleased. so i would give him an email. hes also located in your state so maybe pickup is available if ur near him.
Click to expand...

Okay, I'll just keep an eye out for aggression then; I planned on doing a group of six as it was, so hopefully that will help.

I'll get a dozen or so rummy-nose tetras; I was also considering having another school of tetras that consisted of some Cochu's blue tetras from msjinksd since they're 2" long.

Where in PA is Anubias Design, and what's their email address (can't find a working website); I'd love to pick them out in person if they're somewhat close to me.

Thanks for the advice!
 
man if you was closer I know someone who can get wild autumn adult size wild caught... best of look to you my friend, i have angels b4 loved the way they swim like hmmm space ship.
 
anubiasdesign@yahoo.com is mark from anubias design owner. he should have wild rio nanay scalares in stock.

my fav angels are altums. but they are not for beginners and they are pretty hard to keep at first. but wild scalares
are just as nice and easier to keep. mark is selling the wild scalares for $15 each. pretty big size too. not exactly sure where in PA he from
but email him and ask. he has many other fish in stock also so check with him.
 
nikond70s said:
anubiasdesign@yahoo.com is mark from anubias design owner. he should have wild rio nanay scalares in stock.

my fav angels are altums. but they are not for beginners and they are pretty hard to keep at first. but wild scalares
are just as nice and easier to keep. mark is selling the wild scalares for $15 each. pretty big size too. not exactly sure where in PA he from
but email him and ask. he has many other fish in stock also so check with him.
Click to expand...

Sweet, thanks for the information I figure that wild scalare are the way to go on this one considering that they're a lot less sensitive (and less expensive) than altums are.

I just did a search again and saw that he's on the other side of the state from me, but I doubt that shipping will be terrible for that distance; besides, those prices will be tough to beat!
 
Hit up my buddy Peter Villanueva. He has some hot wilds now, altums, Rio Negros, you name it. Here's his website: http://www.villascityofangelfish.org/

Not all wilds are the same. I got 6x Santa Isabel angels three months ago and IMO they are one of the nicer varieties. You can see them in this video.

[video=youtube;UMKFKC5iVzQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMKFKC5iVzQ[/video]
 
peathenster said:
Hit up my buddy Peter Villanueva. He has some hot wilds now, altums, Rio Negros, you name it. Here's his website: http://www.villascityofangelfish.org/

Not all wilds are the same. I got 6x Santa Isabel angels three months ago and IMO they are one of the nicer varieties. You can see them in this video.
Click to expand...

I'll check out his website, too; it's too bad that he's on the other side of the state as well, though.
 
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