I'm Back And I'm Serious

[snake007]

Alright guys not been here in a while, but I'm back *WITH PICTURES* or rather a video.
Yesterday I picked up a 5 footer, its still in the car atm but will be setting it up tomorrow, I thought I'd do a journal about it.

here's a quick vid of it, pics are to follow tomorrow - http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnBBnzCLpA4&feature=youtu.be

Its a 5x20x18 LxWxH, comes with a teak cabinet, got the whole lot for a 100 quid.

Here's a quick breakdown of how I would like it to turn out.

Filtration:

1x Tetratec Ex1200
1x Fluval FX5

Layout:

Haven't really decided yet but I think I will use black gravel.

Stocking:

This I would like suggestions on but my hearts pretty set on an EBJD.

Any stocking suggestions or aqua-scaping suggestions are welcome.

 

[bae1994]

Very nice and cheap

For the aqua scaping I wouldn't have live plants or anything you don't mind being moved lol as big cichlids seem to love decorating

I'd go for some nice shape bogwood and a couple of larger stones but that's just my opinion

 

[snake007]

Yeah was quite a bargain, yeah bogwood is definitely on the list.  
One question though, I have:  

1x200 Watt Heater 1x250 Watt Heater  
Is this sufficient enough?  

Thanks

 

[bae1994]

I run 1 300 watt on my 5ft and it's 120 us gallons and copes fine

 

[snake007]

Ok thanks, the 450 watt should be fine then.  

Question:  

If you had this tank, what would you put in it stocking wise?

 

[bae1994]

Yeah 450 should be fine

Tbh I'd have the stock I've got now as there fish I like ( you probably wouldn't as it's in no way a biotope lol ) but I think it's just down to personal preference tbh

 

[snake007]

What's your current stock?

 

[bae1994]

1 true parrot Cichlid
1 gold Severum
1 Lima shovel nose
1 Pimelodus blochi
3 clown barbs
2 Arulius barbs
4 silver dollars

Bae

 

[snake007]

Quite a nice stock you have there, Will the Lima Shovel nose max out at 12"?

 

[bae1994]

Yeah give or take a couple of inches and tbh my tanks about the minimum but there pretty inactive so should be fine

And chears

 

[snake007]

Given me a lot to think about....

This is a rough stocking - would it work?

1 Nicaragua (spelling?)
1 EBJD
10 Barbs of some sort (Recommendations?)
Pair of Jewels
A school of catfish - recommend me a type?

?

 

[Wills]

Videos not working for me...

Stock sounds good apart from the Jewels... just too aggressive people always say they will be okay but it never is.

Wills

 

[snake007]

Thanks, i'll leave out the jewels. here's the link again - http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnBBnzCLpA4

 

[Wills]

Ah cool nice tank Good decision on the jewels just trying to think of something similar. Can you define what you like about them? If its the shape and spangles maybe a group of Geophagus Iporagensis?

For catfish the obvious ones would be Hoplos or Pictus - And instead of Barbs why not stay American in the tank and for a more Central American based tank what about things like Silver Dollars, Red Eyed Tetras and/or Green Swordtails for a nice natural mix?

Wills

 

[snake007]

I thought about Geophagus but then I heard they needed sand, perhaps maybe a group of ellioti's?
Pictus sounds good, maybe a school of 6?
Would Red Eyed Tetras be okay with the JD?