New Tank

[ronald0127]

hey all
im setting up a 40 gallon breeder and would like to hear some input on what fish to get.
i use to have an oscar and he kept the tank in disarrey so i dont want another one like that.
thanks
ron

 

[fluttermoth]

What are the dimensions of the tank, and is your water hard or soft? I'm guessing, if you've had an oscar, you'd rather have big, 'wet pet' type fish, or do you want something small and more colourful this time?
 
Once we know those things, we can give you some better options

 

[ronald0127]

thanks
its a 40 gal breeder.
36''w 18''w 17''h
not very small fish. i loved the oscar.
im guessing the water is a little on the hard side.
it also has a high ph .
ron

 

[BiggTexx]

African cichlids possibly.

 

[ronald0127]

sup bigg texx
are you from texas.
i was told they were as bad as an oscar about decor in your tank.
ron

 

[BiggTexx]

sup bigg texx
are you from texas.
Yep!  Dead center on the Gulf Coast/Piney Woods Eco-Boundaries. (small town between Houston and Beaumont).
 
i was told they were as bad as an oscar about decor in your tank.
Depending on how you plan to decorate...  Live plants and cichlids really don't go together.  Other than that, they may move around some deco from time to time, or uproot a silk/plastic plant.  I use weighted silk plants and they may move them around a bit, but they can't knock them over and I won't ever find one floating in the morning.

 
Cichlids can be moody as I am sure you aware, but they are worthwhile when you get the stocking levels correct.  The only other thing I could suggest is possibly goldfish or paired angels.

 

[ronald0127]

thanks bud
me too. about 6 miles south of where the cowboys play.
is that anywhere near winnie.
im looking into the cichlids.not a fan of the angel fish.
ron

 

[BiggTexx]

Close to the Anahuac, Winnie area, yes.

 

[ronald0127]

hey bud
had an uncle that lived in winnie.
visited him a couple of times there, very nice area.
ron

 

[ronald0127]

getting closer.

 

[NickAu]

A male Betta would be very happy in that tank.

 

[ronald0127]

hey guys
that betta might get lost.lamo.
here;s where im going to need the help.
i've got water and rocks in it do i buy the starter chemicals or do i use a little water from my 10 gal ?
i thought about changeing the filter in my 10 gal and put it inside the canister filter.
thank ahead
ron

 

[BiggTexx]

i've got water and rocks in it do i buy the starter chemicals or do i use a little water from my 10 gal ?
i thought about changeing the filter in my 10 gal and put it inside the canister filter.

If the water has not been dechlorinated already, now is the time to do it.
 
In regards to the filter, you can use some spare media from your current filter and add it to the new tank's filter to help speed up the process.  For example, you can use your filter floss and it to the new filter.

 

[Gvilleguy]

Regarding seeding your new filter...I agree with what Texx said. You should not move the entire media from the other tank. Just take part of it.
 
If that does not seem to work well, I have used Dr. Tim's One and Only Nitrifying Bacteria on two separate occasions and it cycled my tanks quickly (in just a few days, compared to cycling with my tap water from scratch, which takes over a month). There is always heated debate about that product, though. I'm only speaking from my own direct experience with it. Some people say it does not work...might depend on how old the bottled bacteria is.

 

[Ch4rlie]

In regards to the filter, you can use some spare media from your current filter and add it to the new tank's filter to help speed up the process.  For example, you can use your filter floss and it to the new filter.
 

 
I agree but with one proviso, i would not use filter floss, that will have more gunk than bacteria probably.
 
I would advise, using a quarter to one third max of that established current filter's sponge media and ceramics/noodles (don't forget to replace like for like with new media on that filter).
 
That will have a much better chance of seeding the new filter and hopefully that way you will have a fast fishless cycle.