Going to start an 85 Gallon Tank.

[Freshyfishy]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone could help me. I have inherited an 85 gallon fish tank & stand from my neighbor. I was wondering if anyone has an 85 gallon and some planted aquascape ideas? I don't know how to fill the space all the way, and what kind of plants should i put in it? I also have questions about stocking. I have a 25 gallon rn, with a Dino Bichir (I know.. FAR too small for him) two glo-fish tetras, and a molly. These fish will be going into the tank because im getting rid of the 25 gallon. what other species (that are exotic looking and possibly colorful) can go with these fish? A MUST HAVE species is guppies (unless of course they don't collaborate well with the other species I already have). Also since this is a very large tank, how long should i cycle it? 1 month (the usual) or longer? Should I jsut cycle till the water parameters are right? And if you have any plant ideas, please let me know. Also tips on larger tanks?? I'm not a new fish keeper, just new to large tanks, i've kept them for almost 5-6 years. But I always appreciate new advice

 

[speakerman3]

What filter are you currently using in your twenty gallon? Use that in the 85 when you start it. If you have the same fish and same filter with 65 more gallons, you already have plenty of capacity to add more fish. Get those guppies that you want.

Also, I would recommend keeping the smaller tank as a quarantine tank.

 

[sharkweek178]

Hello,

I have a 25 gallon rn, with a Dino Bichir (I know.. FAR too small for him) two glo-fish tetras, and a molly. These fish will be going into the tank because im getting rid of the 25 gallon. what other species (that are exotic looking and possibly colorful) can go with these fish?

Are you planning on separating these fish? Won't the others end up becoming a meal for the birchir?

A MUST HAVE species is guppies (unless of course they don't collaborate well with the other species I already have). Also since this is a very large tank, how long should i cycle it? 1 month (the usual) or longer? Should I jsut cycle till the water parameters are right? And if you have any plant ideas, please let me know. Also tips on larger tanks?? I'm not a new fish keeper, just new to large tanks, i've kept them for almost 5-6 years. But I always appreciate new advice

What is your water hardness?

 

[Freshyfishy]

I don't know my water hardness or my filter lol... I don't think the fish will become food for the Bichir... and honestly i wouldn't mind if they do. The tank (85 gal) from my neighbor is coming with a filter, all I have to do is scape it and cycle.

Could i keep an oscar??

 

[sharkweek178]

I don't know my water hardness or my filter lol... I don't think the fish will become food for the Bichir... and honestly i wouldn't mind if they do. The tank (85 gal) from my neighbor is coming with a filter, all I have to do is scape it and cycle.

Could i keep an oscar??

The dino birchir is a carnivore that can grow up to 20 inches. If one fish can fit another into it's mouth, it will eat it.
You can look up the water hardness on your water company website. Or even google it by your zip code.

 

[Freshyfishy]

OK, I asked my parents and we dont know our water hardness or get it from a company. We get water from a well. Also my parents said i can only have one fish tank occupying the house at a time due to living on the 2nd story.


Let me add that the Dino Bichir was a total impulse buy and is a regret. I know absolutely nothing about him except that he needs food. Please educate me if you have experience.

 

[speakerman3]

You have a few things to work out, but moving up to a bigger tank is a good problem.

First, filtration: Whatever filter you were using on your 25 gallon will have filter media in it that will have the bacteria that break down ammonia into nitrite and nitrite into the less harmful nitrate (When you change the water, you decrease this. Live plants will also use it). You either need to use your old filter or some of its media in the new tank to get the nitrogen cycle kickstarted.

Second, tank occupants: As pointed out by sharkweek178, your bichir will grow and become a swimming mouth that will eat anything it can swallow. An oscar would do the same, and an 85 gallon tank is small for either of those. You can have quite a few glo tetras, mollies, and guppies in an 85 gallon, but oscars and bichirs become beasts and will outgrow your tank. You could do some research on types of fish that interest you and choose some that will get along with your small fish, eventually rehome your bichir, and make the 85 gallon a community tank. Or you could devote that tank to your bichir and not put anything in it that you would worry about disappearing--some people breed mollies or guppies to be feeders for large fish. But that brings us to another consideration: water parameters.

Finally, ph, hardness, temperature...
Most tropical fish have some adaptability, but it's not fair to force them to live in adverse conditions, and it will definitely shorten their lives. Mollies (depending on variety)and guppies like fairly hard water with a ph above 7 (7.5-8 is probably perfect). Try to choose companions that like similar parameters and test your water so you know what you are putting your fish into. Investing the time and money in an API master kit is a great start.

No matter what you decide, take good care of your fish and enjoy the hobby.

 

[Freshyfishy]

I will probably rehome the bichir, but LITERALLY NOBODY in my area keeps fish, and is shipping it out cruel??

 

[speakerman3]

That's crazy that nobody in your area keeps fish but there are people who raise them in ponds really close to you.

 

[Freshyfishy]

well its not that nobody keeps fish, its just ones that do already have their ideal stock and don't want more XD

I am thinking of doing 45 guppies... is that a bad idea?

 

[speakerman3]

Buy one male and three female guppies that you like and keep them in good conditions. Soon you will have enough to keep 45 and sell more.

 

[Freshyfishy]

ok!

 

[Freshyfishy]

The only problem I can think of is that after those breed, wont they breed with the parents? and so on and so forth?? I will have inbred fish...

 

[speakerman3]

In excess, that could become a problem, but selective breeding is also how special varieties of fish are created. If you get a particular fish that has a look you really like, you can selectively cross it with similar-looking fish to enhance that feature. It should not be a problem for your guppies.

 

[Freshyfishy]

OK, i was wondering if anyone sells fish (guppies) from California (or another large state) that can ship them to me if they have a coloring i like... Like a breeder. The genetic pool is so much larger than here in florida.