63 Gallon Tank

[alphabetic]

I may be getting a Juwel Rio 240. 121x41x55cm, roughly 63 gallons.

I have two preferred options for this tank: a Mbuna setup, or Amazon biotope preferably with a pair of Angels. I will opt for one or the other now, and possibly (in future, long term) purchase another tank specifically for the other. I have someone perpared to buy my current 20 gallon tank of me, hence my anticipation to upgrade.

The choices:

Overall, the setup costs will most likely swing me towards one or the other, as described below.

Pros for the Amazon biotope: cheaper fish, driftwood easily attainable and for free. Against: cost of plants, costs to upgrade to stronger lights depending on plants, and C02 (all the essentials), fertilisers and appropriate substrate if I choose to go hardcore.

Pros for the Mbuna tank: rocks easily attainable and for free, and perhaps easier to setup (decor) than the planted alternative. Against: new filter/s and piping to compensate for overstocking, and much more expensive fish. Keep in mind, I have no intention to purchase less hardy fish that are not easy/moderately easy to take care of.

Regardless, I guess, I'll most likely replace the exisitng Juwel filter and heater in favour of something else.

Anyway, I'm not particularly biased towards one or the other. If you can think of any pros/cons for either setup, please feel free to share. Both appeal to me very much.

Please let me know what you think

 

[pratty675]

i think you should go right ahead

 

[jkrekord]

Pratty... that is absolutley no help, if you can't give a helpful post then dont post just to increase your posts.

I personally would go with mbuna. Because if your upgradeing the filter anyway, the main thing against the mbunas imo, was the filters, and if your upgradeing regardless thats not really a problem. Plus over time mbuna is less work. Becasue with little or no plants all you really have to do is make sure its got good water quality. Lighting for planted tanks can be expensive and if your not 100% sure thats what you wanna do, pesonally i would'nt do it.

 

[Jen_S]

I love my angels, tetras, and rams. It is a lot of fun to watch the different species interact. I've never been fond of african cichlid tanks (but that's just me ) The African Cichlids are far more colorful, to me the biggest drawback is not only that the fish are more expensive but once your first fish grow up and you pissibly lose some over time, it will (1) be much harder to find large enough replacements and (2) they will be even more expensive. If you're not prepared for that, you may end up with just one fish due to scarcity and funding.
Also, mho, but I love planted tanks but there would be a lot of research if you're wanting a true Biotope (which I haven't done) with plants from the natural habitat. If not, you can do what I've done and just get plants that low light.

 

[alphabetic]

Thanks for the replies.

As far as a heavily planted tank, that would be something I may consider down the track only, as I gain more experience. Plus I'll most likely be moving within the next year; a heavily and well planted tank at this stage would be a headache to pull apart/redo when the time comes!

The only flora I perhaps intend to use for my initial setup would be thin Vals and Amazon Swords. Something simple, coupled with lots of root tangles/branches and driftwood. The Rio 240 comes with two 38 W tubes. I think they'd be fine for the plants aforementioned? I guess I need not bother with CO2 either?

 

[Esfa]

Thanks for the replies.

As far as a heavily planted tank, that would be something I may consider down the track only, as I gain more experience. Plus I'll most likely be moving within the next year; a heavily and well planted tank at this stage would be a headache to pull apart/redo when the time comes!

The only flora I perhaps intend to use for my initial setup would be thin Vals and Amazon Swords. Something simple, coupled with lots of root tangles/branches and driftwood. The Rio 240 comes with two 38 W tubes. I think they'd be fine for the plants aforementioned? I guess I need not bother with CO2 either?

Yep, those lighting will be good.

But i would suggest getting c02.

Read some pinned topics on the planted section.

And my vote goes for the amazon biotope.