FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hello all.

This is my second post on these forums and I think it may be a little long. Also I am very new to the art of fish keeping so please bare with me.

In my previous post (Aggressive angels) I discussed my problems with aggressive angelfish. It was quickly brought to my attention that the 15 gallon tank the three angels were residing in was too small contrary to what my LFS had previously told me. My LFS refused to take the fish back even when I told them I did not want a refund or store credit. I refused to dispose of the fish myself. This left me with one option New tank. Well after some financial wizardry on my part I was able to spring for a new 48Lx18Wx24D 90 gallon tank with lid, lights and stand, a Rena XP3 canister filter, 250W Ebo Jager heater, aerator, gravel, driftwood and other decorations. All this was bought at a reputable fish store, not the LSF mentioned above and I was told the filter and heater would support the tank.

I'm very happy with my new purchase but it has come with new problems and new questions. I'm not really sure what I should do with it. As it stands now I have:

5.5 gallon. Cycled. Filtered.
Male betta / 2". Pleco / 2" (I think the pleco is
either a gold nugget or a galaxy. The LFS
from hell told me he was a common but he has lots
of yellow spots on him unlike
any common pleco I have seen before).

15 gallon tall. Semi cycled. Heated. Filtered. Aerated.
3 x angelfish / 1.5"-2". Pleco / 3" (This pleco is
also unknown. He looks exactly like
the picture of the rubber pleco on this sites fish
profile but looked nothing like the
rubber plecos I was shown at the store where I
bought the new 90 gallon).


90 gallon. Not cycled. Heated. Filtered. Aerated.
Not set up so no fish here yet.

I want to move the three angels and one of the plecos (preferably the one that will grow the largest) to the 90 gallon. The betta will stay in his 5.5 and the remaining pleco will either be moved to or stay in the 15 if possible. I would like a small, peaceful algae eater for the 5.5 gallon, one that can handle cooler temps and less oxygen. If need be, I can add a heater and aerator. I would also like to get 3-4 more angels for the 90 gallon but other then these additions I am unsure of what fish to add. None of my current fish can be returned so this is what I have to work with. I do like the idea of schooling fish and other non fish aquatic animals.

So let me know how you would stock these tanks. Any ideas are appreciated.

Thanks,
Plan.


[span class="edited"][Edited by Plan-B 2004-08-06 11:52][/span]

Welcome to the site Plan B. That must be some horrible fish store you got there. Is it a privately owned fish store or a chain store? All of the privately owned stores around my area will not take fish but the chain stores such as petco and petsmart will take them, no credit.
Moving the angels to the 90 gallon is a must and i would suggest between 4-6 angels as these can become quite nasty to each other over time.(breeding pairs.) Move the pleco from the 5.5 into the 90 as it will get pretty big. You could get an apple snail to eat algae in the 5.5. Water temp is not that critical for these snails.

Thanks for the post clownloachfan.

You have given me a new idea. Maybe I should stick with just the three angels and restock the 15 with angel friendly fish. That way if a pair does form I can move the odd man out back to the 15 then cut the bio load down on it by moving most or all of those angel friendly fish to the 90. I still need some ideas on what my angel friendly fish should be.

I like the idea of the snail for the 5.5. I know these snails are not asexual so reproduction will not be problem. I also know they can get 4-5 inches tall so if you know a common yet smaller spices of apple snail please let me know.

The LFS from hell is a chain hardware store. I live in a small town and its the only place to buy fish and other pets. Lesson learned. From now on its off to Big Als or Petland in the city.

Another question. I would like to use the water and fish from the 15 to cycle the 90. Do you think that putting the fish through two back-to-back cycles will be too much for them? Should I try a fishless cycle and if so can someone direct to a post or FAQ that explains how?

And How long does pet shop bogwood, driftwood need to be soaked? The stuff I bought at Big Als managed to turn the water not tea coloured but cola coloured in all of 15 minutes. Its been in there three days. Im going to change the water tomorrow and see if I get the same results.

And, And Does everyone agree the heater and filter I have listed above will support a 90-gallon tank?

And Thats it.

Thanks again,
Plan.

welcome to fishprofiles.

first off moving the angels is best idea, i would also move both pl*cos from the 5 gallon, this is not6 big enough for pl*cos.

i'm not sure if the filter is good enough, have to wait to see what other people think. i have an interpet 300w heater in my 40gallon uk which is good enough for up to 60gallons according to the box, so not sure the heater is good enough.

i would say the fish would be ok in a new cycle, i've moved fish form a 10g to a 15g and they were ok.
i'd put all the gravel, rocks and filters from the 15 into the 90 as well as the new filters, this will help start the cycle. then just add the fish from the 15 no new ones yet until the cycle has finished. do plenty of water changes, as least 10% every other day to help.

once cycled then can setup the 15 again with the old filter and use it as a breeding tank if you want.

as for the bogwood, to speed the cleaning up, boil it and change the water often until it stays clean.

angel save fish, are anything that is to big to fit into the mouth of fully grown angel. so no to neons and many other tetras. also don't get fish that nip fins, like some tetras and barbs.
livebearers are good as the fry is good live food for the angels. dwarf/honey gouramis and corys are also angel friendly.

hope this helps
shekoi

www.blooming-brilliant.co.uk