FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Bare with me I have a tonne of questions and whilist I am asking questions I will be also reading up.

I am planning to go 5ft with the bells and whistles was going to go second hand but decided better with starting from scratch.

Now I am trying to decide if I want to go africans or south american set up but I am sure once I have the tank I will soon have my mind made up.

When I have read up on the information they are split into 4groups

Peaceful
mildly aggressive
aggressive
aggressive

though its straight forward but how do you put them together to ensure there is no deaths. Some examples from the more experienced would be for african and south american would be good.

Also with the african's why is it best to name the latin names of them before thier common names.

Hi,
Generally speaking you put the most peaceful in first and
then move up in aggression ratings, introducing the
most aggressive last.
You have to provide enough caves or areas that each
fish can claim as its territory, and you should leave
at least a couple of weeks in between new batches.
That gives the nitrogen cycle time to catch
up with the increased waste products, and time for
the previous batch to pick their homes. Provide plenty
of swimming room for each as well and keep them all
roughly the same size.
Even with the most careful method however, there are
bound to be renegades that will not conform. Keep an
eye out for the trouble makers and remove them
when necessary.

Frank

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

thanks for the response. It gives me something to keep in mind now with rock structure could i stick it together using aquatic silicon to ensure that it wont fall down on them

Hi,
Yes you can use aquarium silicone to "glue" the rocks
together. If you are using what they call "Texas Holy"
rock, you could also use plastic cable ties. Keep the
substrate layer where the rocks are, very thin, just enough
to cover the glass bottom, a 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick and
no more. That layer will protect (cushion) the glass from
any pressure points and reduce the risk of cracking the
bottom. You will need to clean the rocks, especially where
you are going to put the silicone so that it will adhere
and hold them together.
I'd put the substrate down, and then "preassemble" the
formations first in the dry tank. Once you have the rocks
in the shape and colors where you want them, then take a
picture or make a drawing of the completed formation. Tear
it apart, and begin gluing them together.
When doing this we tend to use "globs" of glue, just
be sure that the silicone where these "globs" are has
a chance to cure throughly. If it says it
will cure within 24 hours, give it at least 48.
then, add the water, and let the whole system (filter,
heater(s) etc.) run for at least another 24-48 hours and
test the water's pH as the silicone cures it gives off
acetic acid, which, being an acid, will drive the pH down.
Make some frequent, large water changes, and when the pH
settles down, then begin the fish.

Frank

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

thats good to know. been looking at the peacock family and noticed how they vary from species to species how ever the three colours that stand out is blue,red and yellow with these fishes so I figured to put one school of these species but I am trying to find the one that would have either all three of those colours or one of each in the same family so I can read up on them..