Tank setup

[newfiegirl01]

So, I'm still working on picking up a larger setup.

I might have found a 110gallon "extra high tank". 48" long, 18" deep, 30" high to start with, if this person emails back.

I'm thinking it's not bad to start out with, but I definitely need to go larger.

I want to eventually be able to pick up a tank, or, should I say custom build a tank, that fits in this one particular spot.

It can be approximately 48 inches long, 24 deep, and as high as I can within 9 ft ceilings (including the stand and the hood)
Any clue what something like that would cost? lol




I have two questions...

1- If I choose to get a ray, which ray would you recommend, and what are the most colorful, tasteful, pretty, interesting fish I could put in the tank with it? (I am definitely going to be upgrading to a larger tank!)

2- If I choose not to get a ray, what can put together the BRIGHTEST, most colorful tank?

Requirements:

I do not want any green! No planted tank, no green, I want it to look as much like a saltwater setup as I can, without doing a saltwater setup (so possibly killed coral, white sand, etc).

Fish must be interesting, brightly colored (no just browns and grays, BLUES, GREENS, YELLOWS, etc).



Looking forward to your responses

 

[Lgsasquatch]

The tank is all on you, what ever the wallet can afford, lol. No clue on a ray, never had one but may be interested in the future. To go with out a ray i would use crushed coral for substrate and place dead coral around the tank like a dead reef. As far as for fish i would use a mix of different chcilids. Most people would know they are cichlids but they are the most colorfull fish i know of. Over filter to keep waters clean and clear and overstock with fish to keep the aggression down between them. If done right you should not have any problems mixing the cichlids, just do it while they are small.

 

[newfiegirl01]

Interesting, so over stocking will REDUCE aggression?

What is a recommendation for a good filter? I will definitely over filter.

Thanks!

 

[newfiegirl01]

Also, I'm assuming if I do a ray, I don't do a pleco since they'd both compete for the bottom of the tank?

If I don't go with the ray, I want a really exotic and colorful pleco.

If I go with the ray, I want a ray that is beautiful and interesting (maybe colorful, like blues and greens if there are any), stays small (something I can house in my house and not a separate facility) and is hardy (or the most hardy).

 

[Jc1119]

Interesting, so over stocking will REDUCE aggression?

What is a recommendation for a good filter? I will definitely over filter.

Thanks!

Overstocking can help curb aggression with certain africans like mbuna or tropheus. Hard to beat africans for color and activity, but as stated above over filtering is a must. I turn my 135 about 10x an hour and it houses about 35 mbuna. Lots of cover(rocks) goes along way too. personally i wouldn't mix plecos with africans due to them requiring different water conditions. i know some people who mix bristlenose with them with good results. No experience with rays, but the footprint of your tank isn't the most ideal setup for them being tall and narrow.

That tank would make for an awesome Angel or Discus tank being so tall. A lot more of a challenge though

 

[1xalpha]

Don't get a ray... srsly... In my opinion they are a waste of a 600 dollar setup... You can only really keep one of them... plus there is so much more you could do with a 110gal ... Like idk cichlid community tank or big ass tropical tank... dont waste it on a ray

 

[Jon M]

I'm no pro on keeping rays but from the research I've done on keeping them, I'm pretty sure a 48" long, 18" deep, 30" tank isn't even big enough to house a retic comfortably. I'd wait until you get the larger tank (with at least 2.5' depth in the blueprints) before you spend the money on the rays. We all know things happen sometimes that can prevent us from upgrading and you don't want to be stuck in a situation where you have ot get rid of rays you've become attached to.

I think it could make a real cool African Cichlid tank as others have mentioned.

 

[Zari]

rays are a no go in a 48"x24" i think min is around 6x3 for the smallest and around 8x4 average.

as for cost 48x24 part will be relatively cheap. It's the height that will kill you. keep it shallow ~18-20" and 1/4" will work and is cheap otherwise higher it will rise in price significantly.

 

[Inglorious]

As someone who owns a 110 tall I can assure you that unfortunately you can't keep any ray in it(believe me, I'd have one if it was possible). If you want something with a lot of color and action then a large pile of cavernous rock and an assortment of Mbuna will get you a very bright and active setup. Make sure you have plenty of hiding spots and more than enough filtration and then stock heavily with the species that catch your eye. As long as you don't plan on breeding and selling fry then you can mix plenty of different species as long as you are mindful of temperament. Don't keep only a few yellow labs in a super aggressive tank, and don't go for a few bumblebees with more mellow ones. As long as the aggression is mixed though and everyone can have their own space then you shouldn't have issues.

 

[cmj15]

if you want a good setup that will accommodate a variety of setups get a 120, 4X2X2. Then with that layout there is plenty you could do. I would personally do a semi-planted medium fish community tank, with a center piece cichlid like a rocktiel severum, along with some bichirs, and a couple smaller datnoids