Tank setup help needed please.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
R

rlf_racing

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 26, 2008
27
0
0
Lockport, ILL
I now know what I am going to do with my 75 gal tank after I break it down from being setup as a saltwater. My questions are what temps would I need to keep my tank at to keep local panfish, creek chubs, and bullhead cats? Would I need to upgrade my current filtration from two emperor 400s? I know I have light that will work perfectly for a planted tank (260 watts compact florecents). I might as well list all the hardware I do have for my tank so it would be easier to answer my questions. 2 emperor 400's, 300 watt heater, maxijet 1200, koralia #2 and #3 and a 260 watt coralife compact flourecents lighting. Also do I need a lot of flow for native freshwater setup? I know in saltwater you need an adequite amount of flow so you don't have dead spots in the tank. Is this the same for freshwater? All help would be greatly appreciated.

Rob
 
Looks like you're on the rgith track. You don't need a heater in the tank when keeping natives. Sounds like you have plenty of filteration. In terms of water flow, it depends on what species you want to keep. Most sunnies and such aren't huge fans of high flow areas, so the out flow from your filters should be sufficient. Some creek chubs and darters and trout love a rip roaring tank, so just decide what species you want to keep and go from there.
 
Yup, dont need a heater, you have good filtration, and sounds like a good setup for sunnies and or perch. You could throw some sculpin in there too, and a bullhead could be ok in there for awhile, but you may eventually need a bigger home for it, or a frying pan... your choice ;)
 
At what temp does the tank need to be at. 60, 65, 70 degrees? The reason I am asking about temps is that during the summer months local ponds and creeks temps could be around 70 to 80 degrees. I know of a local creek that I can catch sunnies, chubs, bullheads, bass, and probably other things. Could I use the drift wood that I find in the creek along with other aquatic life?
 
Really just keep it room temp and the fish will be fine. In the wild their temp will swing dramatically, maybe from 50-80 in your area during the course of a year. But you don't have to simulate that in your living room.
 
The tank is in the basement, so if I keep the tank around 72 to 76. Would that be fine? Could I use the drift wood that I find in the creek along with other aquatic life?
 
72-76 would be great. In terms of using natural driftwood, I've done it lots and it should be fine. Just make sure that the collection area is clean and free of polutants, as wood soaks that up like a sponge. It might be wise to soak the wood in a bucket or container for a week or more changing the water often just so you are sure not to introduce anything unwanted into the tank.
What other aquatic life are you thinking about? Crawfish are pretty neat in a tank, but may eat or be eaten by sunnies and such. I would say no to turtles with fish in the tank, your prize fish will end up a meal sooner or later. Plants, treat the same as driftwood.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom