New Tank Setup I'm Considering

[dearly]

I am gettng back into the hobby after a few years being absent. I have previously had, at one time, 3 55gal tanks. Two freshwater and 1 saltwater tank that I exclusively used undergravel filters on with Ehiem 2213 canisters to operate the undergravel filter. From what I understand, undergravel filters are discouraged, so this is what I plan on presently, and I would like comments on what everybody thinks.

I plan to purchase a 72 gal Bowfront tank. The filters I planned on using were 2-Emperor 400 Bio-wheel power filters and I was wondering do I need to add a small Protein skimmer to this setup? Oh, this will be a Freshwater tank.

 

[divisible by zero]

no

 

[jackel931]

what kind of fish are you putting in there? are you planning on overstocking your tank? that is a ton of filtration for a 72gallon. Emp 400s are designed for 80 gallons each. Im not against overfiltration, or for spreading out the filtration but seems liek you may be just throwing away money by buying two. if your getting really messy fish, or overstocking your tank I can see why you would do this.

 

[rdd1952]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Those filters would certainly do the job. As mentioned, you would be way overfiltered but that's not a bad thing as it allows for a heavier stock load. Having used both HOBs like the Emperors and also canisters (Fluvals) I will say that you can't beat a cansiter filter. They are quieter, require less maintenance, can hold more media and just do a better job overall.

And in answer to your question, no you do not need a protein skimmer. Those are strictly SW. You can get surface skimmers that run off canister filters to keep any film from forming on the surface.

 

[Musho3210]

if you want a protein skimmer you would need a huge one since freshwater isnt as "sticky" as saltwater. Currently i dont know anyone who makes or uses a protein skimmer for freshwater so dont worry about that.

 

[dearly]

what kind of fish are you putting in there? are you planning on overstocking your tank? that is a ton of filtration for a 72gallon. Emp 400s are designed for 80 gallons each. Im not against overfiltration, or for spreading out the filtration but seems liek you may be just throwing away money by buying two. if your getting really messy fish, or overstocking your tank I can see why you would do this.

I know that is overkill, but as you stated, I like the idea of spreading out the filtration. Plus I would feel better knowing that filtration will not be an issue. Right now I am planning on having tiger barbs, neon tetras, angelica catfish, clown loaches, angels, black red-tail shark, dwarf guoramis, and maybe some discus.

 

[Musho3210]

i wouldnt get the tiger barbs and i would choose between the angels and neons.

 

[tetraqueen]

what kind of fish are you putting in there? are you planning on overstocking your tank? that is a ton of filtration for a 72gallon. Emp 400s are designed for 80 gallons each. Im not against overfiltration, or for spreading out the filtration but seems liek you may be just throwing away money by buying two. if your getting really messy fish, or overstocking your tank I can see why you would do this.

I know that is overkill, but as you stated, I like the idea of spreading out the filtration. Plus I would feel better knowing that filtration will not be an issue. Right now I am planning on having tiger barbs, neon tetras, angelica catfish, clown loaches, angels, black red-tail shark, dwarf guoramis, and maybe some discus.

I would re think all those fish.

I would not have a black red -tail shark in a community of praceful fish.....

Neon's are well known as live food for Angels .

The tiger barbs with nip the gouramis as even the dwarf gouramis are timid fish who get aggresive when challenged. They like a mature planted tank to settle.

I do not think you have room for Disus as these need to be in groups..

IMO think research the fish and you'll see that you maybe better of having a few species or ensuring that the community will work.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

what kind of fish are you putting in there? are you planning on overstocking your tank? that is a ton of filtration for a 72gallon. Emp 400s are designed for 80 gallons each. Im not against overfiltration, or for spreading out the filtration but seems liek you may be just throwing away money by buying two. if your getting really messy fish, or overstocking your tank I can see why you would do this.

I know that is overkill, but as you stated, I like the idea of spreading out the filtration. Plus I would feel better knowing that filtration will not be an issue. Right now I am planning on having tiger barbs, neon tetras, angelica catfish, clown loaches, angels, black red-tail shark, dwarf guoramis, and maybe some discus.

You have some stocking issues.

Discus are very shy, and very delicate. Aggressive fish, like RTBS, and tiger barbs would terrorize them. Catfish, are too active at night for the Discus, and will spook them in the night. And, the neon tetras would be eaten by them.


Angels will eat neons.

Also, the RTBS may eat the neons when it gets to it's full size. The tiger barbs, may also want to nip at the neons.

A tank with Discus should be centered around the Discus, and no offense, but if you put them on your stock list with your other fish, then you don't know enough about them to keep them heathy and happy.

 

[dearly]

Thanks for the feedback......

After doing somemore research, yes the tiger barbs are out. I can also understand about he Discus, but what about the BRT?

 

[tetraqueen]

You do sound like your have not been around these fish for long enough.

Some people on this forum are fantastic at having bad experiences enough to tell others.

It casn sound like they are saying oh don't have an oscar but then if you only had a studio flat on top of a building with no garden you may not consider a Geat Dane.

You can have Discus you, can have all the others but it is not advisable .

They would fight.
be stressed.
cause problems.

I really only know that RTBS are not for the likes of those that do not understand how agressive they can be.

keep asking and you will eventually get a lovely set up.

 

[dearly]

I used to have a 55-gal community tank a few years back, and I had a RTBS then and really like they're activity in the tank. I don't remember it being that aggressive though.

 

[tetraqueen]

From what I gather when young they are okay.
Do a bit of research as I have never had them due to being told, reading etc.

Some say my clown loaches will be aggressive but so far so good.

I think they might all be okay in the correct size of tank with the right areas and experienced observation etc etc.

 

[Musho3210]

poor neons, no one likes them.....

 

[tetraqueen]

poor neons, no one likes them.....

I love neons and have a tank on there own for them.

It is just stupid to put them in with their preditors. Neons are a snack to angel fish. It would be like putting a baby in a lions cage eventually when hungry the baby would be a snack.

Some people do not like neons and others do.

I noticed my last post was also edited so I would say for RTBS do search on here there are lots of information to read