Rio 240 Tank Journal
- Thread starter Laffers
- Start date
Looking good 
I wouldnt move the slate/wood around anymore, think that looks just right 
maybe in the future concider some forground plants for the gap infront of the wood? Annnd got a final stocking list?
I wouldnt move the slate/wood around anymore, think that looks just right maybe in the future concider some forground plants for the gap infront of the wood? Annnd got a final stocking list?Laffers
New Member
Just gonna clear up a few questions that have been asked so far.
Still not overly sure whether I will be getting Angels or not. I'm not overly convinced that they will be ok with both Kribs and some kind of Ram (Probably Bolivian - once again Aces fault!). If it will be ok then I will probably look into different type a little more closely.
As for the plants, I'm going to get some Java Fern this weekend and attach it to my wood. I'm guessing its a case of find somewhere that it looks good and attach. Will I only need the one plant as it'll grow or will I need multiple? As for adding foreground plants, I'm not sure if this is a route I really want to go down at the moment as the plan really is to keep it quite simple. I don't mind adding ferts to keep my existing plants looking nice, but I don't really want to start getting into CO2. Maybe I'm thinking its all a bit harder than it is and if that is correct then I might try this eventually. As for Riccia - I'll have a little read up on it and see what its like
As far as stocking goes, I am looking to have less species in my tank but decent numbers. I think this will not only be more important for the fish to give them a little more confidence, it will also benefit my tank as they should be a lot more active. I've not really worked out actual numbers so please only take what I'm about to say as an 'off the cuff' estimate and by no means final stocking list. Also though, please feel free as always to offer any suggestions and comments on anything I have said so far.
Stocking Ideas.
4-6 Boesmani Rainbowfish.
6 Khuli Loach (Only a maybe fish at the moment)
8-12 Peppered Cory
2 Kribensis (1M, 1F)
2 Bolivian Rams (1M, 1F - Possible that I may go with 2x Blue.)
Thats the plan so far but will have to see if I will be overstocked or not.
Still not overly sure whether I will be getting Angels or not. I'm not overly convinced that they will be ok with both Kribs and some kind of Ram (Probably Bolivian - once again Aces fault!). If it will be ok then I will probably look into different type a little more closely.
As for the plants, I'm going to get some Java Fern this weekend and attach it to my wood. I'm guessing its a case of find somewhere that it looks good and attach. Will I only need the one plant as it'll grow or will I need multiple? As for adding foreground plants, I'm not sure if this is a route I really want to go down at the moment as the plan really is to keep it quite simple. I don't mind adding ferts to keep my existing plants looking nice, but I don't really want to start getting into CO2. Maybe I'm thinking its all a bit harder than it is and if that is correct then I might try this eventually. As for Riccia - I'll have a little read up on it and see what its like
As far as stocking goes, I am looking to have less species in my tank but decent numbers. I think this will not only be more important for the fish to give them a little more confidence, it will also benefit my tank as they should be a lot more active. I've not really worked out actual numbers so please only take what I'm about to say as an 'off the cuff' estimate and by no means final stocking list. Also though, please feel free as always to offer any suggestions and comments on anything I have said so far.
Stocking Ideas.
4-6 Boesmani Rainbowfish.
6 Khuli Loach (Only a maybe fish at the moment)
8-12 Peppered Cory
2 Kribensis (1M, 1F)
2 Bolivian Rams (1M, 1F - Possible that I may go with 2x Blue.)
Thats the plan so far but will have to see if I will be overstocked or not.
Java fern - You could get 2-3 small plants, or 1 big one which i think would look better. I'd suggest buying online for plants, they are alot better in quality.
CO2 - I thought that this CO2 thing was alittle complicated but, it isn't atall. I have 3 Diy CO2 bottles running on my 20 gallon, and they work fine. What i did was buy the nutrafin kit for £15, came with a plastic grey bottle, airline, ladder(diffuser), and dry mix. I would not bother with this, waste of money IMO. Do what alot of people do and make your own. All you need is a normal plastic pop bottle, airline, one way valve(optional), diffuser. I have recently bought a ceramic glass diffuser off ebay that connects to the end of the airline. The whole point in the diffuser is to dispurse the CO2 into your tank. Cost me £4.99.
The mixture is simple, 2 cups of granulated sugar, active dry yeast and warm water. Every fishkeepers methods of mixing these together are different, just experiment with it.
Fish - The khuli's you won't even see because you have sand, and they only come out at night. I had 3 in my 20gallon for 3 years which i didnt even see until i found them dead after the 3 years.
If it was me id still prefer to have angels instead of rainbows, thats just me though.
Kribs and rams can work aslong as they have their seperate territory's which they will have. The cory's would look great, especially in a large group.
If you were going to get rams i would ask the supplier if you can have 5 rams and then once they have formed 1 pair then you will return the remaining fish. You can also do this with angelfish if you wanted.
Keep us posted mate, Ill be watching.
CO2 - I thought that this CO2 thing was alittle complicated but, it isn't atall. I have 3 Diy CO2 bottles running on my 20 gallon, and they work fine. What i did was buy the nutrafin kit for £15, came with a plastic grey bottle, airline, ladder(diffuser), and dry mix. I would not bother with this, waste of money IMO. Do what alot of people do and make your own. All you need is a normal plastic pop bottle, airline, one way valve(optional), diffuser. I have recently bought a ceramic glass diffuser off ebay that connects to the end of the airline. The whole point in the diffuser is to dispurse the CO2 into your tank. Cost me £4.99.
The mixture is simple, 2 cups of granulated sugar, active dry yeast and warm water. Every fishkeepers methods of mixing these together are different, just experiment with it.
Fish - The khuli's you won't even see because you have sand, and they only come out at night. I had 3 in my 20gallon for 3 years which i didnt even see until i found them dead after the 3 years.
If it was me id still prefer to have angels instead of rainbows, thats just me though.
Kribs and rams can work aslong as they have their seperate territory's which they will have. The cory's would look great, especially in a large group.
If you were going to get rams i would ask the supplier if you can have 5 rams and then once they have formed 1 pair then you will return the remaining fish. You can also do this with angelfish if you wanted.
Keep us posted mate, Ill be watching.
Laffers
New Member
Thanks for the input Guppy.
I had heard that if you have a decent bunch of Khulis then they will be a little more active than normal. That being said, I don't really mind if I leave these off my list and go for something else. Could get a decent shoal of cherry barbs or one of the larger tetra maybe.
I'm still not convinced on the Angels though, not because I don't like them but because I'm a little concerned that it wont be too pretty having 3 different pairs of cichlid in the same tank. More than happy to go with it though if people are confident it would be ok. Just one side note though, the Rainbows are probably the fish I'm looking forward to getting the most so not a chance I'll be replacing them!
Happy to get the plants online, can you recommend a decent site for them? Also, how long can they stay in the package they came in? If they were sent to my house in the morning would they still be ok when I came home from work about 8 hours later? Having never bought anything like that online I would'nt have a clue as to how they are packaged.
I had heard that if you have a decent bunch of Khulis then they will be a little more active than normal. That being said, I don't really mind if I leave these off my list and go for something else. Could get a decent shoal of cherry barbs or one of the larger tetra maybe.
I'm still not convinced on the Angels though, not because I don't like them but because I'm a little concerned that it wont be too pretty having 3 different pairs of cichlid in the same tank. More than happy to go with it though if people are confident it would be ok. Just one side note though, the Rainbows are probably the fish I'm looking forward to getting the most so not a chance I'll be replacing them!
Happy to get the plants online, can you recommend a decent site for them? Also, how long can they stay in the package they came in? If they were sent to my house in the morning would they still be ok when I came home from work about 8 hours later? Having never bought anything like that online I would'nt have a clue as to how they are packaged.
I wouldn't touch a thing.
Your structures of slate and wood look perfect just as they are.
If you want to hide that filter box, I would suggest planting some Vallisneria Spiralis around it.
Guaranteed, it will be masked in next to no time, and you wont have lost any space.
Here are two online suppliers of top quality plants:
[URL="http
/www.plantsalive.co.uk/"]http/www.plantsalive.co.uk/[/URL][URL="http
/www.aquaticplants.eu.com/"]http/www.aquaticplants.eu.com/[/URL]
Ace Of Spades
Fish Gatherer
Id stick with the rainbowfish, alot more ative and beautiful then the angelfish, and I agree about the khulis, was going to say but you logged off too quick. Id recommend replacing them with 6 otos for algae clear up
HODDY
Fish Herder
take looks nice mate.Personaly if i was doing a planted tank i would take abit of slate out and grow some sort of moss off the top of the slate to give it more of a natural effect. That bogwood is a nice big peice. Nice find.
Laffers
New Member
Thanks for all the comments/suggestions once more everyone, they really are appreciated. Its also nice to see a few new faces posting in here too!
I'm now at the stage where I'm looking at my tank and am actually quite pleased with how it is looking. Still not 100% sure on the slate on the right hand size. Its only one little bit I don't like and I think as soon as a fish runs in to it it'll knock it over anyway! If I do change it, it will probably be that minor you wouldn't notice it!
One thing I must admit to, that I never thought I would like is the tannins that have leaked into my water. Doesn't look as good when the lights are off, but when they are on it really does look better than it did when it was clear water. If I had of had my way originally, it would probably still sitting in the pink bucket of doom soaking for the next month!!
The good news for today is that I have spoke to my friend and I should be getting my fish next week and its very safe to say I cannot wait! It's going to be nice to finally get some in there knowing I have waited all this time and done it properly! Its just a case now of making sure that I get all the other little things sorted.
Main things so far are:
Black Background.
Frozen Foods
Another type of flake to go with what I already have.
Decent Digital Therm
Couple more plants.
Plant Fert.
Hopefully I've not missed anything off that list. Chances are I have though!
I'm now at the stage where I'm looking at my tank and am actually quite pleased with how it is looking. Still not 100% sure on the slate on the right hand size. Its only one little bit I don't like and I think as soon as a fish runs in to it it'll knock it over anyway! If I do change it, it will probably be that minor you wouldn't notice it!
One thing I must admit to, that I never thought I would like is the tannins that have leaked into my water. Doesn't look as good when the lights are off, but when they are on it really does look better than it did when it was clear water. If I had of had my way originally, it would probably still sitting in the pink bucket of doom soaking for the next month!!
The good news for today is that I have spoke to my friend and I should be getting my fish next week and its very safe to say I cannot wait! It's going to be nice to finally get some in there knowing I have waited all this time and done it properly! Its just a case now of making sure that I get all the other little things sorted.
Main things so far are:
Black Background.
Frozen Foods
Another type of flake to go with what I already have.
Decent Digital Therm
Couple more plants.
Plant Fert.
Hopefully I've not missed anything off that list. Chances are I have though!
Genesis
If you're a cory and you know it clap your.. hands
Laffers
New Member
Another little update to just show I'm still about!
Went to my not so L FS this weekend and got myself some ferns to put onto my bogwood. I have also since had someone recommend putting some moss onto the slate on the left hand side of the tank to grow over the top which doesn't seem a bad idea. I did have someone also recommend putting it onto my wood but I like the fact that you can see it all at the moment.
Still not overly sure where to put my ferns. I have one kind of stuffed into the gap in my wood, but I'm not sure if it really works or not. Ive also got one that you can see just behind the wood. Think I'm going to move it just in front of the wood where it meets the slate as detailed in the second picture. If anyone has any other suggestions on where it can go it'd be much appreciated. I've still got to move a clump of Amazon Sword I have behind my wood somewhere too.
One thing I got to tick off my to get list is some Nutrafin plant ferts. I spoke to the same bloke who I normally speak to and he advised me that this is what they use in the planted tanks that they use. Hopefully I haven't fallen for the trap of believing a LFS workers advice and got something thats rubbish!
The one thing I am still struggling to get is a black laminated background. I never thought it would be this hard to find but I have now looked in 3 different LFS with no luck. The only type they have is little things that would be more at some on a 10G tank. I know I could probably get loads of these and join them but...meh.
Onto the most important thing now - the fish! I'm going to be picking the first lot up on Saturday morning. Not sure what this person is going to have but I've been told he has quite a selection. Fingers crossed I can get about 50% of my stocking in there. Now I've actually got myself a little bit organised and within touching distance of my fish I cant wait!
After my lil' trip to Swallow Aquatics, I may have to think about changing my stocking list again. On the way out I had a look in there big planted community and and they had some fully grown, male, Odessa Barbs. Think most people would agree with me on the colours are really striking and for anyone that hasn't seen one - take a look. Picture linked from Liveaquaria.com
My only concern if I do get some of these is that they will be aggressive and will nip fins thus writing off the possibility of Angels. I know that if you get a decent amount of them it should reduce the aggression but I'm not sure I want to chance it. Decisions, Decisions...
Anyway, thanks for reading again and as always looking forward to your comments.
Went to my not so L FS this weekend and got myself some ferns to put onto my bogwood. I have also since had someone recommend putting some moss onto the slate on the left hand side of the tank to grow over the top which doesn't seem a bad idea. I did have someone also recommend putting it onto my wood but I like the fact that you can see it all at the moment.
Still not overly sure where to put my ferns. I have one kind of stuffed into the gap in my wood, but I'm not sure if it really works or not. Ive also got one that you can see just behind the wood. Think I'm going to move it just in front of the wood where it meets the slate as detailed in the second picture. If anyone has any other suggestions on where it can go it'd be much appreciated. I've still got to move a clump of Amazon Sword I have behind my wood somewhere too.
One thing I got to tick off my to get list is some Nutrafin plant ferts. I spoke to the same bloke who I normally speak to and he advised me that this is what they use in the planted tanks that they use. Hopefully I haven't fallen for the trap of believing a LFS workers advice and got something thats rubbish!
The one thing I am still struggling to get is a black laminated background. I never thought it would be this hard to find but I have now looked in 3 different LFS with no luck. The only type they have is little things that would be more at some on a 10G tank. I know I could probably get loads of these and join them but...meh.
Onto the most important thing now - the fish! I'm going to be picking the first lot up on Saturday morning. Not sure what this person is going to have but I've been told he has quite a selection. Fingers crossed I can get about 50% of my stocking in there. Now I've actually got myself a little bit organised and within touching distance of my fish I cant wait!
After my lil' trip to Swallow Aquatics, I may have to think about changing my stocking list again. On the way out I had a look in there big planted community and and they had some fully grown, male, Odessa Barbs. Think most people would agree with me on the colours are really striking and for anyone that hasn't seen one - take a look. Picture linked from Liveaquaria.com
My only concern if I do get some of these is that they will be aggressive and will nip fins thus writing off the possibility of Angels. I know that if you get a decent amount of them it should reduce the aggression but I'm not sure I want to chance it. Decisions, Decisions...
Anyway, thanks for reading again and as always looking forward to your comments.
Jim Curtis
Fishaholic
I have wallpaper that is black on one side and blue on the other, IMO compared to the blue side black looks like crap.
it depends on your set-up really. some set ups dont really go as good with blue as they do with black. i think black would look lovely with Laffers's tank.just a question, what would be the type of stocking you're looking for? for a tank size like this you're definitely not limited to small fishes you see in 29g and so.
Laffers
New Member
Stocking plan is still a bit of a rough draft at the moment. Current plan is:
6 Boesemani Rainbowfish
12 Peppered Cory
2 Kribensis (1M, 1F)
2 Bolivian Ram/Blue Ram (1M, 1F)
I'm still trying to decide between which 2 sets of the Cichlids I'm going with. I was originally set on gettin Kribs but I'm now not sure if I do actually like them that much. German Rams seem to look really good in a tank and from what I have heard, Bolivians have a lot of character and do look quite nice when coloured up. I know the final decision is up to me, but any suggestions would be good.
The maybe fish on my list at the moment are:
Neon Rainbowfish - Might be nice to have with the Boesemani?
Angelfish
Odessa Barbs - Had never seen these before seeing matured ones at my LFS and the colours are amazing. Only prob is may cause aggression within the tank
Guppy - This really is not my decision! Unfortunately, my gf wants to have some kind of input on the fish choice and she really likes them
Open to any interesting, colourful fish ideas too. Obviously, they need to be able to go into a community tank with the above fish. As I said earlier, my gf does want some kind of input now all the hard part (setting up, cycling etc) is out of the way. Typical eh?
I'm going to have another flick through the fish index tonight and see if I can get any more inspiration.
6 Boesemani Rainbowfish
12 Peppered Cory
2 Kribensis (1M, 1F)
2 Bolivian Ram/Blue Ram (1M, 1F)
I'm still trying to decide between which 2 sets of the Cichlids I'm going with. I was originally set on gettin Kribs but I'm now not sure if I do actually like them that much. German Rams seem to look really good in a tank and from what I have heard, Bolivians have a lot of character and do look quite nice when coloured up. I know the final decision is up to me, but any suggestions would be good.
The maybe fish on my list at the moment are:
Neon Rainbowfish - Might be nice to have with the Boesemani?
Angelfish
Odessa Barbs - Had never seen these before seeing matured ones at my LFS and the colours are amazing. Only prob is may cause aggression within the tank
Guppy - This really is not my decision! Unfortunately, my gf wants to have some kind of input on the fish choice and she really likes them
Open to any interesting, colourful fish ideas too. Obviously, they need to be able to go into a community tank with the above fish. As I said earlier, my gf does want some kind of input now all the hard part (setting up, cycling etc) is out of the way. Typical eh?
I'm going to have another flick through the fish index tonight and see if I can get any more inspiration.
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