Cichlids

[HEADIN]

This might sound harsh or rude and I try not to even post in fishmans topics.

But I read quite alot of them and to be honest it is a complete waste of time any1 even replyin.

Its the same routine over n over. Crazy fantasy ideas that never materalise.

Who even attempts to stock a tank a 6months to a year in advance before they even own the tank and equip.

Dont mean to be rude but thats an honest, and brutal maybe opinion.

 

[Fishman1995]

I was doing fine until you came along again headin who even asked you, no one, jeez, i was doing great again and you came along and messed me up again, have you even got your 300% percent tank fixed yet. I think id be better off researching and not asking anyone anything anymore

 

[HEADIN]

The fact is you always ask for advice on stocking these tanks and then when you are givin the advice you completely ignore it and go do the opposite.

Last week or the week before you had your stock almost set in stone.
You where defintely getting this fish and that fish and now you are wanting to throw in a handful of cichlids.

And yes my 300% tank is grand actually thanks for asking. Doing very well indeed.

Hows yours?

 

[misterking]

To be fair, since this is a forum, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and input. By posting a thread Fishman, you asked for his opinion inadvertantly.

My original point is.. a year is a very very long time. We're likely to go through so so many stocking plans between now and then because you will, without any shadow of a doubt, change your mind. I'd be surprised if you hadn't by the end of this week. There's literally no point in planning so far in advance.

Unfortunately for now I'm going to have to be of the opinion of until I see a tank, I can't advise on this project. I literally don't have time. This isn't a personal on you Fishman, I just can't keep up when a stocking plan changes once per page. It'll be totally different in a years time or whenever you set it up so anything I say now will be a waste of time.

(And in case you think this is me "signing out" of all Fishman threads, its not, if you have a problem with your other tank or there are developments on your uncles pond, I'll be happy to advise best I can).

 

[Thyra]

I agree whole-heartily with MK and since you say your Mom is paying for the fish, I am sure she will be the final say on your stocking plan anyway.

 

[ryanoh]

I'm going to have to third this. Its exhausting trying to keep up with what fish you want, which is why I mostly don't ever answer your questions about them. That and you manage to find fish that I've never heard of before and I wait for people who do know what you're talking about to answer.
That being said, I don't mind giving you opinions on your tank and equipment because in a lot of ways I'm the same way about stuff like that - I like to know my options and the pros and cons a long time before I actually buy anything. Nothing's worse than spending money on something then finding out there was a better option. However, you don't really seem to be that concerned about your equipment, and I agree with everyone else that you need to figure that out before you worry about fish. I'm here and willing to talk equipment with you, but it doesn't seem worth anyone's time to try and figure out what fish you want to keep at this point... and I don't mean that as anything personal on you, I'd give the same advice to anyone.

 

[Fishman1995]

I understand guys

So today i added a Dwarf Hybrid Lilly Bulb and added it to my tank and i added 2 pieces of water lettuce (my uncle had some spare he didnt use in his pond) which will have the fish in it in the morning, we got them already, were leaving them in a bucket overnight til the sand settles. We got 12 goldfish and 10 feeder goldfish. Il take some pictures tommorow evening of the pond, it is BEAUTIFUL.

Also you were right, i went to my LFS today and i seen some Madagascan Rainbowfish, the small small small ones and there MUCH cheaper than the dull looking Dwarf neons and very colorful and cute. They were 9.99 regular and the dwarf neons were 11.99 regular. Also there Kribs are 5.99 a piece, cute lil buggers. I talked to the owner and she said she could let me know ahead of time before she orders the fish for the week how much mine would cost if they had them. She calls in on Tuesday, Orders and they arrive wensday, all the fish for the empty tanks. She said she would order whatever i wanted if they had it and would let me know ahead of time how much it was just to let her know so now just to get the tank.

 

[Fishman1995]

Correction on the rainbows, i decided not to get them, to expensive, anyways, ive decided not to even discuss my 25 gallon anymore, i want to much

The pond is goin great, havent added the fish in yet, still to murky, the sand hasnt settled, i think you guys are gonna love it, full of live plants and rockword and it has a Fern garden around the perimited, its awesome, the pond is at least 300 gallons if not more. My question is, will a Ryukin Goldfish live in the pond that size during winter?

 

[ryanoh]

Are the fish doing okay in buckets for this long?

 

[misterking]

Ryukins, along with all other types of "fancy goldfish" (i.e, the oddly shaped ones), do not do well over winter. They'll die.

Typical goldfish (long bodied ones) work best.

 

[big54bob]

Yo fishman, here is an idea.............................GO OUT AND APPLY FOR A REAL JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was 15 when I started my first job and even then at 16 you can get a good job busting tables or washing dishes possibly milking cows if you live in the boonies. And since its beginning of summer, some employers may be hiring because college students have a better job or graduated and hunted down their hard earned career.

As for your tank, I would just buy a 29 gal kit and make your self a stand out of 2x4s and screws. It sounds like your uncle is a handy man so you could get him to help you. You would save so much with this method.

 

[Fishman1995]

The fish are safely in the pond, heres some pictures =)

Only 2 goldfish died so far, the rest settled in fine.

im good bob, im just fine buying a tank and stand together. and 4 gallons doesnt really make THAT much difference.

 

[kenny1tothe6]

It's not just 4 gallons, Fishman...

It's the fact you'll have a tank with a larger foot print...a 25gal isn't much larger of a footprint then a 10gal is, to be honest and if you want cichlids you *NEED* the larger one.

 

[Fishman1995]

Il see what the store can offer me as im sure the prices will be lower there and il see what mama will let me get. If she lets me get a 29 gallon il get it. il go as big as she'l let me

 

[2010CamaroGirl]

African Cichlids for Sale: African Cichlid Fish Species - Tanganyika and Malawai
Click on the chart for the compatibility...
As far as I see it you are planning a tank for at least a year out so yes you will probably change your mind several times...so what...we have all been there and done that. Nothing is wrong with at least trying to see what people have dealt with and if they have had any big problems with certain fish or not...that is why it is called asking for an opinion.
On that note however you do need to realize fishman that upkeep is essential to a healthy tank. Filters, filter media, heaters, test kits, cleaning all require work, time, and money. Make sure you have all your equipment set up and running before you stock your tank then slowly add your fish. Don't be afraid to question your lfs to death...if they don't like it or don't seem to have the right answers or any at all leave and don't go back!!! Patience is hard in this hobby but the payout is well worth it!!!!!

 

[misterking]

Realistically, no goldfish should have died..

That pond looks awfully shallow, unless it's just because it's clear. How deep is it? Also, is that black liner going to be covered? Sunlight makes liner crack, which is expensive and difficult to repair.

Thought I'd share a picture of my own pond if you're interested:

The pond in summer not long after an overhaul. Plants filled back in fairly quickly after this. The net is an absolute necessity to protect from herons. Lightly stocked with 6 goldfish, which are breeding.

 

[Thyra]

That is a beautiful pond MK!! I understand the problem with herons, but I also had problems with common garter snakes. I even had them get into bath tubs which were like 18 inches or more above ground! I just had common feeder type gold fish. We would put them in all the tubs we used for watering horses to keep the mosquitoes down.

I was also wondering about the depth of the pond in Fishman's pictures - if those are standard size cement blocks, it looks like it is only about a foot deep, so both the heat in the summer and cold in the winter would be a problem.

 

[Fishman1995]

The pond goes down in the ground lower than it looks, its at least 3 foot deep and its over 6-8 feet long. Id estimate it to be 300-400 gallons. My uncle now has 25 goldfish and 10 feeder fish in there. We have no heron problem around here, nothing eats the fish =)

 

[misterking]

The pond goes down in the ground lower than it looks, its at least 3 foot deep and its over 6-8 feet long. Id estimate it to be 300-400 gallons. My uncle now has 25 goldfish and 10 feeder fish in there. We have no heron problem around here, nothing eats the fish =)

That's a hell of a lot of fish for a pond that size, and since I doubt you'll have cycled the pond, I'd blame water parameters for the deaths.

Also.. feeder fish and goldfish? Explain to me the difference?

 

[OrangeCones]

Id estimate it to be 300-400 gallons. My uncle now has 25 goldfish and 10 feeder fish in there.

I agree, that seems quite heavily stocked. What are 'feeder fish' anyway? More goldfish? So 35 goldfish?

We have no heron problem around here, nothing eats the fish =)

If the pond is only 3feet deep, you will have birds and other critters pick the fish off if its not covered with a grating or net of some sort. The way fish in the wild survive is to dive for deeper cover when preditors come, or hide in the plants. Neither is available to your uncle's goldfish.