I need help with a decision.

Thyra

Superstar Fish
Jun 2, 2010
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Yelm, WA
#21
I guess I don't see it as "constant". If the two fish in there double their size in a year (which obviously they haven't done in the last 5) I guess I would only be looking at one move and anything can change in a year. As far as the undergravel filter - it has been in there 11 years with out moving. I don't plan on using it, but from my reading other people recommend their use with Angel fish because they don't create a current. Canister filters do sound interesting. The available one is for a 75g tank, but I can't use it anyway because there is no way to get it lower than the tank.
 

misterking

Superstar Fish
Aug 12, 2008
1,124
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Manchester, UK
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#24
Yeah, at one point my angels had to be put in my 20g when the other tank cracked for a while with a rather oversized fluval 4+ filter which had one heck of a current on it. The angels didn't bat an eyelid. I'd stick to the canister I think and remove the undergravel filter.

Also, in terms of tankmates I also advise against the rotation thing. You'll probably get quite attached to the angels (I know I did). Permanently, 4 in total is quite a safe number for that size tank. That way you could have a shoal of something too and the angels won't be cramped.
 

Thyra

Superstar Fish
Jun 2, 2010
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Yelm, WA
#25
Thanks, but I can't use the canister under any circumstance because there is no way to get the tubes from the tank on top of the counter to the canister underneath. The Whisper 400 will just have to do (I never had any intention of using the under gravel). Actually MK, my intention was to get two more angels and then see what else you suggested after things settled in, but somewhere some one said 30g was too small for angels so I was trying to be "tactful" - guess that doesn't work either. I am not sure whether the tank delivery will occur tomorrow or not - seems their boat is sinking and the bilge pump isn't working and that is taking priority over fish movement at the moment.
 

misterking

Superstar Fish
Aug 12, 2008
1,124
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Manchester, UK
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#27
I don't think you'd have any problems with angels in a 40.. seems like a reasonable size for a small group. They're actually (surprisingly) fairly good community fish with anything that doesn't fit into their mouths. My rule of thumb is either a pair, or even numbers. Never have an odd number unless you know the sexes (which is very difficult), in case one gets singled out whilst the rest pair up. By that logic either 2 or 4 would work in a 40 IMO.
 

Thyra

Superstar Fish
Jun 2, 2010
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Yelm, WA
#28
Yes, but this is a 30. And about the boat - without going into details - it is an ocean going wood ketch (I believe the word is) and they can't give it away. It was part of an inheritance.
 

misterking

Superstar Fish
Aug 12, 2008
1,124
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Manchester, UK
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#29
Yes, but this is a 30. And about the boat - without going into details - it is an ocean going wood ketch (I believe the word is) and they can't give it away. It was part of an inheritance.
(Temporary brain malfunction) completely forgot it was a 30 haha. In which case I'd stick to the pair, it'll house them pretty comfortably with smaller tankmates.
 

lauraf

Superstar Fish
Jan 1, 2010
2,181
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Vancouver, British Columbia
#30
Two angels in the 30g would be okay for a while. Eventually they will get too big, but that might be a matter of a year or two. If you are someone who couldn't bear to rehome a fish, or doesn't have a lfs or friend to give them to, then yes, only get a fish that will be suitable for your tank at its adult size - IMO, if you have the option of rehoming them, and you are sensible enough to know when to do so (i.e., before they might physically suffer from being over-cramped), then that's a different story.
 

bassbonediva

Superstar Fish
Oct 15, 2009
2,010
0
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Northern Arizona
#31
I guess I don't see it as "constant". If the two fish in there double their size in a year (which obviously they haven't done in the last 5) I guess I would only be looking at one move and anything can change in a year. As far as the undergravel filter - it has been in there 11 years with out moving. I don't plan on using it, but from my reading other people recommend their use with Angel fish because they don't create a current. Canister filters do sound interesting. The available one is for a 75g tank, but I can't use it anyway because there is no way to get it lower than the tank.
I was pointing out why undergravel filters aren't widely used or recommended anymore for the other poster who said they used to use them, but that they went out of vogue. lol :p Sucks that you can't use the canister, though. They are awesome. I'm looking at the "Perfect" brand canister filters on Craigslist for my 46gal bowfront. Someone I know on another forum has them and says he prefers them to ANY of the other brands (even the Fluvals and Ehiems).
 

Thyra

Superstar Fish
Jun 2, 2010
1,891
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Yelm, WA
#32
The decision has been made! The tank and the 3 fish have arrived! My computer room suddenly got smaller. I can not believe the difference 4 more gallons made. (My bowfront is 26g) There is a lot more work to be done, but not tonight. The hood turned out to be a make shift affair and has a lot of corrosion and I don't know if that is the problem or if it needs a new light. I also have a big entanglement of wires and I have always hated that kind of thing with my computer. Not sure what I can do about that - I will sleep on it. All three fish are hiding, but the koi colored one has ventured out once and toured the environment.
 

Thyra

Superstar Fish
Jun 2, 2010
1,891
0
0
Yelm, WA
#34
I'm afraid there will be no before pictures - I wasn't the one who cleaned/packed it up to transport. He used a tub with a lid, but hindsight says a cooler would have been easier. We carried the water to fill the tank - hindsight also is telling me there may be a way to use the "python" like filler he also brought - will look into that. As I said, it takes up a lot more space than I visualized. I had moved a lot of stuff to fit it in and today I realized I couldn't find the little camera I got for Christmas. I haven't even had time to play with it. When I located it and attempted to take a picture, somehow the timer got set - perfect picture, but the fish wouldn't hold still 10 seconds and I didn't know how to stop the beeping - lol. So I put the CD in the computer and started reading instructions. Found the timer and made sure it was off, turned around in my chair and saw both fish were in absolutely perfect positions - went to snap the picture and my cat jumped up right in front of the camera scaring the fish! Naturally they went back into hiding. Not only do I have to learn how to use the camera, but how to get the pictures to the computer and then on to the website - this may take some time - I am older you know!!
 

skjl47

Large Fish
Nov 13, 2010
712
0
0
Northeastern Tennessee.
#38
Hello; I had the same problem a while back trying to post a picture. After several attempts it did work. I will attempt to post another and write down the steps while doing so. I will then, hopefully, be able to describe the process.
 

lauraf

Superstar Fish
Jan 1, 2010
2,181
0
0
Vancouver, British Columbia
#39
Thyra, I found the easiest way for me to post pics is when you type your reply, go to the "Go Advanced" button at the bottom of the screen, then click on the paperclip icon that will appear on the toolbar above your message in the new screen. This allows you to browse your computer and select an image that will then attach as a thumbnail.