Hi Everyone, And Please Rate/advise My Tank!

[LukeG]

Hi everyone, Names Luke and I thought I'd introduce myself and at the same time share my new tank. I set this up again after a few years sat in the garage, having used it mainly to rear koi for my old pond, this is my first attempt at a freshwater setup. I guess what I'm after is advice/constructive criticsm/points or ideas from more experianced hobbyists then myself.

I'm Using an old Rio180 and initially i wanted to setup for angelfish but have kind of gone with the flow so to speak

. Currently have introduced the following over the last 6 months,

1 Platinum angel (12cm high)
1 Koi angel (7cm high)
1 Albino sailfin plec (11cm)
2 Clown loach (3 and 4 cm)
1 Cory cat (4 cm)
2 Bronze cory's (4cm)
2 Rummey tetra's (3cm)
4 Rosy tetra's (3cm)

I've just managed to settle the tank down after quite a bad ammonia spike i believe down to dying plants, killing off 2 rummeys and a cory cat and just had to put down a really nice zebra angel after it failed to recover from a fungal infection. I'm happy with the parameters now.
I dont intend to add any more as i think its pushing the bio load as it is, especially with the potential size of the clowns and angels, but I am planning to exchange fish when the bio load begins to struggle with the aim to move the clowns to their own tank and end up with a paired of set of angels in the current tank.

I would really appreciate more experianced opinions then mine on my tank! thanks guys.

Luke

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Plant bottom left of pic 3 is non aquatic so I'd get rid if I were you.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

Ah! That's useful to me too Ps3Steveo! I have that plant in my aquarium (bought it online via an aquarium plant shop) and it doesn't grow well at all... been wondering why!

 

[LukeG]

Plant bottom left of pic 3 is non aquatic so I'd get rid if I were you.

Ok, I have 2 bought from my local fish store and have been in there from the cycle and confused me why it wouldnt grow. Thanks for that heads up, I'll get that sorted soon as. Would non aquatic plants affect water parameters in any way?

 

[Flute]

Aye, they will as they start to rot. You have to be careful as there are quite a few non aquatic plants commonly sold at LFS. Lovely looking tank btw!

 

[garyspence84]

I would up the numbers of cories and rummies to a out 8 (each species of cory) and the clown will do netters on larger groups but youve already brushed on that topic.

Otherwise, amazing looking tank you have there. Scaped really nicely

And if your worried about bio loads, a good external filter would be a must.

 

[DrSlackBladder]

Nice scape. If you value your corys, you may consider swapping sand out for gravel. I did it a few days ago, and my corys (and shrimp!) seem so much happier. It was a big step for me, being my first tropical tank, but so glad I did it. Now I'm also looking for advice on my scaling, looking rather clinical at present. Think I'm gonna have to delve into the world of real plants, but don't know where to start. You obviously have it sorted! What are your broad-leafed plant types? Thanks!

 

[LukeG]

Nice scape. If you value your corys, you may consider swapping sand out for gravel. I did it a few days ago, and my corys (and shrimp!) seem so much happier. It was a big step for me, being my first tropical tank, but so glad I did it. Now I'm also looking for advice on my scaling, looking rather clinical at present. Think I'm gonna have to delve into the world of real plants, but don't know where to start. You obviously have it sorted! What are your broad-leafed plant types? Thanks!

I wish i knew what they were called I can find out next time I'm in my lfs for you though, It's something i need to know more about are aquarium plants in general. I do wish i used sand or a finer gravel now, perhaps i can 50/50 the tank with finer gravel to one side, maybe something to look into!
For me the bronze cory's are a bit of a suprise package, they're so energetic and good fun to watch, they're even muscling the plec and the angel's away from food at times so good on em, little dudes!

I would up the numbers of cories and rummies to a out 8 (each species of cory) and the clown will do netters on larger groups but youve already brushed on that topic.

Otherwise, amazing looking tank you have there. Scaped really nicely

And if your worried about bio loads, a good external filter would be a must.

I guess the idea for me is to balance out the numbers of the species better in the long run, at some point untill i get another tank to accomodate the 2 clowns plus a few more (I really like the idea of having a school of clowns of varying extremes in size for some reason) i'm guessing I'll need an additional filter to cope. My wife loves the rummies she likes the way they follow each other about and i want to increase them to at least 5 or 6 but hoping they'll continue to do ok untill the clowns grow on abit to justify to her us buying another tank!

Thanks very much for your input so far guys/gals, really appreciated

 

[catfishblues]

I really like the tank! I don't like the airstone in the back very much but just my opinion.

 

[TracyC]

umm, I'm no expert.. but if thats your first tank set up.. its rockin' dude! I'm jealous.. Looks great

 

[Shelster]

I love the look of it too!
I never really get on with their internal filters though, when you have the money, would be beneficial to remove your internal filter and swap for a lovely external you get that important added space in the tank too