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Post by Xander on Apr 6, 2016 19:02:12 GMT -5
So an old friend of mine has asked me to buy a filter off of him - and said filter comes attached to a 75 gallon tank and stand, complete with resident RTB Shark, and a "giant pleco" (which I would probably rehome). I think I offered high, so maybe I didn't get it all for a great deal, but I look at it this way: I could never set up a new 75g for anywhere near $250. I'm very certain establishing my 20g cost me much more than that.
In any event, I'm thinking of aquascape. I'm wondering where people get rocks, around here? And what type of rocks are specifically known to be freshwater aquarium safe? Also, any good hookups for driftwood?
I think I know what direction I want to go for tankmates for the RTBS. I have to hold off on stocking it until after my big road trip out west this summer, and it just might kill me to wait so long, but I want to keep a large school tiger barbs (both green and normal colouration) and a group of angelicus loaches.
I am curious if anyone has seen green tiger barbs being sold in Windsor or area? Or even these loaches?
In the meantime, and while I wait for my trip to go by, I will probably tweak the hell out of the hardscape and get a bunch of plants established in there. I want to give this RTBS a paradise as an apology to the RTBS I once kept in a 10-gallon, back in my uneducated teen years... Rest your soul, "Jerk", you were the hardiest and somehow longest-lived fish I'd ever kept.
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Post by deez on Apr 6, 2016 21:04:43 GMT -5
That'll be a sweet set up!.
As far as rocks. I usually go see the guys at Jobins on 46. They have a wide variety of different rocks and they're fair with pricing. Usually just look at what you take and throw out a cash price.
Driftwood I'm not sure I bought mine at corbrets but they were expensive and didn't have a great selection.
If you're looking for tiger barbs I have 5 ill give you they're too aggressive for my set up. I have seen the green ones at the petsmart on Dougall also.
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Post by Xander on Apr 7, 2016 4:52:29 GMT -5
I figured Jobin's might be a good place to go, I'll have to hop over there~
Perfect! I'll rescue the rest of your tank from their notorious nasty streak, lol. Will you be at the meeting at all? I can keep them in a holding tank until the 75 gets moved over here. Either that, or I'll just let you know when I'm ready to come grab them.
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Post by zenins on Apr 7, 2016 11:56:07 GMT -5
When you are looking in the stores for Angelicus Loach, or if someone else sees Loaches by the name of Polka-Dot Loach, Marble Loach, or Burmese Border Loach, they are all the same species of Loach   "It is best to keep them in groups of three or more. Numerous shelters should be provided which gives them greater security and generally makes them bolder. Like most bottom-dwellers the substrate should consist of a fine-grained sand or round-edged gravel." www.loaches.com/species-index/botia-kubotai I Love Loaches and will be giving a presentation on Loaches at an upcoming Windsor Society monthly meeting  |
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Post by Xander on Apr 7, 2016 14:01:09 GMT -5
Yes, I was aware of their many aliases!
I'm going to be certain to make that meeting, since I find my fondness for loaches growing more and more each day~
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Post by phish on Apr 7, 2016 18:58:09 GMT -5
Could maybe toss in a couple 3-spot gouramis as they are from the same southeast asia region and should do well with the more aggressive tiger barbs.
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Post by deez on Apr 7, 2016 19:03:26 GMT -5
I have a few of those loaches as well. Neat little critters don't come out much though.
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Post by phish on Apr 7, 2016 19:14:36 GMT -5
I have seen the green ones at the petsmart on Dougall also. Yep. I've seen them there as well. I think they were chilling with some gold barbs. I have a group of gold barbs and they are just frisky with each other and don't fin nip like tiger barbs do. |
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Post by Xander on Apr 7, 2016 19:17:47 GMT -5
I hadn't even thought of Gouramis as an option, thanks for the suggestion, I'm going to do some research up on them~
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Post by phish on Apr 7, 2016 19:19:41 GMT -5
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Post by zenins on Apr 7, 2016 20:04:08 GMT -5
I have a few of those loaches as well. Neat little critters don't come out much though. You have to provide many hiding places so they feel secure coming out, knowing that they can easily dart to the safety of a cave or under driftwood or into a pile of rocks. I put some caves right up at the front of the aquarium ... I see my loaches all the time Also, having them in groups of at least 3, and 5 is better, will encourage them to be out and about more |
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Post by deez on Apr 7, 2016 22:11:10 GMT -5
I have a few of those loaches as well. Neat little critters don't come out much though. You have to provide many hiding places so they feel secure coming out, knowing that they can easily dart to the safety of a cave or under driftwood or into a pile of rocks. I put some caves right up at the front of the aquarium ... I see my loaches all the time Also, having them in groups of at least 3, and 5 is better, will encourage them to be out and about more I had 3 but one died shortly afte I got them. My tank is heavily planted so there's plenty of hiding spaces. I find that I see them hiding under the gaps of my driftwood mostly. They come out at feeding time usually pick at whatever sticks to the tops of the plants and driftwood. They seem very curious when they do come out like everything is new lol |
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Post by Xander on Apr 8, 2016 4:05:36 GMT -5
I feel comfortable with keeping hiding loaches after having success with my kuhli swarm I see this as basically a larger version of my 20 gallon. The number of them I'm aiming to keep is 6. |
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Post by gabor129 on Apr 8, 2016 9:51:36 GMT -5
Wow Xander jump with both feet huh? Far from your 10G that you started with! I love it!
For substrate I would do dirt, capped with Flourite® Red, capped with fine screened river sand/rock. I have seen this sold as course sand, but it is really 1-2mm rocks! This would give your loaches plenty to dig in, as well as great, planting medium!!! Also I would get the driftwood from a local beach! No need to spend cash if it is readily available! I find that Bell River marina is a great place to find nice pieces of driftwood. If your thumbnail sinks into it, it is softwood and will disintegrate in the tank. If your thumbnail only scratches the surface it is hardwood and is great for the tank! Be picky, you got time! There are several different methods on the net to "sterilize" the driftwood. I personally give it a good power wash and in the tank it goes! Not saying it is the right way, but so far it has worked for me!
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Post by Xander on Apr 8, 2016 15:10:02 GMT -5
I admit, I feel a bit overwhelmed by the size of it! lol. I thought that if I ever got a larger tank, it would be a 55, max... but even so, I'm okay with this turnout!
I'd love to try a dirted tank, so I might do just that! How thick would you say each layer ought to be? Best to have an idea of cost before I go jumping in...
Sounds like a trip out to the water is in order~ Though, perhaps when it gets a bit warmer out there...
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