New Guy with questions

kay-bee19

kay-bee19

Large Fish
#21
May 6, 2006
156
0
16
Tampa, FL
#21
BigNickB said:
I'm kinda stuck with the 55, getting it off EBAY, for a decent price...
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If that's the case, I recommend KEEPING the african cichilds and trading/selling/giving away the rest...then get more african cichlids (specifically mbuna's, perhaps 6-10 more; hopefully you can trade your non-african cichlids for them), and add a lot more rocks.

That way you'd have compatible fish in a tank suited to them (rather than incompatible fish in an ill-suited tank).
 

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brian1973

brian1973

Superstar Fish
#22
Jan 20, 2008
2,001
3
38
Corpus Christi, Texas
#22
BigNick
I noticed you dont have you location listed in your profile, just wondering where your from and what do you consider a "decent" price on a 55g. There may be other members in your area that may have or know someone with a large tank for a good price, but you wont know if you dont ask :)

Kay bee's recommendation does seem the best, from what I have read on this forum about stocking africans (mbuna's). if you can only get a 55g. but like I said I have no experience with africans.
 

B

BigNickB

Small Fish
#23
Apr 21, 2008
31
0
0
#23
brian1973 said:
BigNick
I noticed you dont have you location listed in your profile, just wondering where your from and what do you consider a "decent" price on a 55g. There may be other members in your area that may have or know someone with a large tank for a good price, but you wont know if you dont ask :)

Kay bee's recommendation does seem the best, from what I have read on this forum about stocking africans (mbuna's). if you can only get a 55g. but like I said I have no experience with africans.
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I love near Harrisburg PA. I was getting a 55 for 100, all equipment and a stand. It fell through though, so now I'll be getting something a bit later on.

I like the SA cichlids, so I'll be sticking with those. With these being juveniles, I figure I have a little bit of time before really needing to upgrade.

Thanks everyone for the advice.
 

brian1973

brian1973

Superstar Fish
#24
Jan 20, 2008
2,001
3
38
Corpus Christi, Texas
#24
well that sucks that fell thru, keep checking on craigslist, it took me a couple months but I a 90g for 200 with a stand and lighting, when purchasing used I would rcommend starting with a new filter and gravel,, the only equipment I would use is the tank and stand, maybe the heater. if money is an issue, which it was for me, I went to lowes and bought a few bags of pea gravel. cost me less than 11 bucks and covered my 90g to a depth of 3 or 4 inches. I want a canister filter but I had to go with a HOB filter for now for cost reasons as well. Well goodluck either way and keep us posted.
Brian
 

Orion

Orion

Ultimate Fish
Moderator
#25
Feb 10, 2003
5,803
3
38
Kentucky
www.thefishcave.net
#25
You can also go cheap on the lights, and get a 4' shop light at Lowes for around $10 that'll fit right on the top of the tank and provide good light. That's what I've got on my 75 and it works well. I think you'll need to buy bulbs too though, but those don't cost more than $15 for both. Still much cheaper than buying some 'aquarium' light fixture.

I splurged and spent $400 for a new 75 gallon tank and stand last year. You can get bigger much cheaper if you can find someone getting rid of a tank, so I'd wait out as long as you can. New isn't cheap.
 

Big Vine

Big Vine

Elite Fish
#29
Feb 7, 2006
3,895
9
0
47
Florida
#29
In that case you could probably get away with keeping one of the oscars in the 29 gallon tank temporarily (for 2-3 months, max) until you've gotten the 55 gal. up and running. All of the other fish you have right now will need to be rehomed right away.

BV
 

amcline

amcline

New Fish
#30
May 2, 2008
5
0
0
Orlando Fl
amclinepainting.com
#30
speaking in my own .02 and exp,i would get away from the oscars, the grow really fast and you will be forever upgrading, not only that when they get to be about 8" if you try to intruduce new fish the better be healthy big and quick, as the O's like to just swallow anything new in sight,

anyway, has anyone asked, what sizes are your current fish?
i made a lil chart to keep track of mine. amount of, fish name/type, current size, adult size, and a total, most say 1" per gallon MAX and from my exp the closer you get to that limit the more you will be fighting water problems, i personally agree.

if you are already over that rule, i would definatly consider the oscars to leave first, they do need much more room than most, HOWEVER i do not beleive you need 210 gallon tank for 5 fish. any fish. if pets outgrow you need to upgrade or trade. even if you dont get much for them they will be better off, and this is all my own opinion. subject to change anytime, lol.

my tank is currently 13 total at 18" total, however at adult it will be 54"-60" (approx) and i plan to add two more so i will be right at my rule.
 

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