New Tank!

[HiggityHank]

It all started earlier today...

My lady and I had been discussing another tank for a few days, and decided to go and look at prices today. We had no intent of purchase, and went to one of my local LFS that I had been to only once. I had a really good feeling about the place, as the owners are always there, and had referred me to Wal-Mart on my purchase of a Whisper filter, as it was about $10 cheaper there than she could offer me. (a HUGE plus in my book. An owner interested in saving my money? Wow.) So after our usual stop at Petco to look at what a corperate giant can offer for prices, we swung in.

The lady and I were pretty set on a 20g setup. So I pulled the owner aside, and asked her what she could do for me on a 20g. (again, still just asking prices) She proceeded to tell me what the cost, etc... then started looking around. She muttered a few curse words, and called the other owner over. They excused themselves, and walked out back. They came back and told me they'd give me the 26 gallon bowfront that was on display, with hood and stand for cost, because they didn't have a 20 gallon in stock. Having just been at the Petco and seeing the bowfronts going for nearly $300, I had to ask.

$179, and to back it up, she showed me the invoice. Then, on top of that, she gave me a 10% discount on EVERYTHING ELSE I BOUGHT that day.

I love these women! But now I'm in a dilemma... we were only out shopping prices, and now I have no idea what the hell I'm going to run in this tank. I've got a 29g with sharks and barbs. I've got my 5.5 with a black moor and 2 fantail goldfish. And I've got my 1gal with my Betta. What can this 26 house?

Ideas?

 

[Angry_Platy]

Platies (many colours available)...tetras (many colours and varieties available) and some bristlenose catfish (2 maximum) to keep the tank algae free!!

 

[Inchworm]

Hi HiggityHank

What a pleasant dilemma!

How about some cory cats for the bottom!

 

[Doggfather]

a pair of dwarf gourami too

 

[Guppylover]

Guppies and other livebearers!!!
It's all up to you...so what do you want inside that tank?

 

[Phantom Thief]

Upside down catfish !!
I just got 4, and they do hide, but they are real fun to watch when they come out!

P.T.

 

[HiggityHank]

It's all up to you...so what do you want inside that tank?

Well, what I want inside the tank are things that don't really go together... (see also: the "community tanks" of my childhood) and, quite frankly, the lady doesn't care for any of the livebearing species.

The original thought was to transfer the current 29 gallon into the 26 gallon, and run some small Cichlids in the 29, the only problem I came across with that idea is the lack of open water for the swimmers currently kept in the 29. Not an overcrowding issue, simply a function of height vs. length.

Any other ideas?

On a related note, I want to plant this tank. Ideas on the plants? Fish that go well with plants? Plants that go well with fish that go well with plants?

 

[HiggityHank]

I can't believe all you fish fanatics can't come up with some cool suggestions.

I thought about Cichlids, but wouldn't they want more horozontal area as opposed to vertical?

 

[parker313]

I can't believe all you fish fanatics can't come up with some cool suggestions.

I thought about Cichlids, but wouldn't they want more horozontal area as opposed to vertical?

Yes, they would.

Tall tanks are hard unless you're going to do angels, but I don't know enough about them to know if you could do them in that size tank.

Pretty much, you'll just have to be careful about overcrowding the tank "layers". Cories are a good start for the bottom of the tank. 3 cories; most of them are about 2" each.

For the middle and upper layers, maybe a pair of gouramis as was suggested and then a small pleco (bristlenose is one often suggested). Or, instead of the gouramis, a school of barbs or tetras?

It is fun thinking of all the options

 

[Becca]

Actually, there are plenty mbunas (African Cichlids) that can be kept in a 30-gallon, provided that it's not a tall version. There are tons of species - and quite a few of them only get to about 3-4 inches. Take a look around at some of the fish databases, and do a google search on cichlids (maybe even check out cichlid-forums.net - i think that's the URL)

OUr cichlid forum here is pretty good. If you're really interested in cichlids, ask around in those sections and see if someone can come up with some species for you! Personally, I had a community tank (mollies, guppies, tetras, danios, etc) and I traded them all in for my cichlids. Best move I've ever made. I love them.