Tank is almost cycled but what fish to get?

Hi,

My new tank (See Pic Below) set up has been cycling for a couple of weeks now. It's a jewel record 70 with JBL Manado substrate over a thin layer of Natural Peat Moss, I have 2 relatively large pieces of bogwood which has stained the water a bit yellow. I am using easycarb and aquatic plant food. I have only 1 bulb for the moment but I'm hoping to find a second I can retro fit, Petstop, whackers and newlands don't have anything like this though. Any ideas where I can buy a complete light kit? I'm also thinking of trying a CO2 system.

Regarding plants, I have Hydrocotyle verticillata, Glossostigmata elantinoides, Cryptocoryne (1 x undulata + 1 x x willisii)


I'm putting together a plan of what fish to get but not sure on numbers. I'm interested in getting:

Amano Shrimp x2
Halfbeaks x 3
Rummy nose tetras x 12
Banjo catfish x 2

I'm wondering if this is too much for a 70 litre planted tank? Also will banjo catfish do ok with JBL manado substrate?

My ph is 7.5, should I get this to a slightly acidic ph and how?

Thanks in advance! Advice is really appreciated!

i might be wrong but some banjos can get a wee bit on the big side

I have the same tank!

Gotta say the setup looks really great.

Considering the banjo's get around 6" id only get one.. How about around 6-8 otto's instead of a second one? One might be too big.. im not sure.
Maybe im wrong but a thought halfbeaks were brakish fish..?
12 rummy nose's and two (Or more) Amano shrimp would be perfect...

The rummys will look great in that setup. Consider some type of Dwarf Cichlid aswell, mabey a pair of the tougher apistogramma...


Jay

how do you know that your tank is cycled ? are you checking for ammonia/nitrites ?

Thanks for all the feedback everyone!

Dar; Perhaps you are right, I had 2 before for a couple of years and don't remember them getting that big but I moved them on.

Alex; Thanks. Never had ottos before, but they seem ideal. I wanted fish that stay small and they seem perfect. I googled them and it is suggested to wait 6 months before getting Ottos? Does this seem correct? I had freshwater halfbeaks years ago and they were fine in my tank and survived at least a couple of years but a couple did die from fighting with each other. (If memory serves)

Any ideas for what I could get instead of a banjo catfish? I want a larg-ish, camoflaged, slow moving or still like and peacfull bottom dweller. Not a pleco or talking catfish though cause they are too powerfull and big. I had a stick-like fish with a long tail years ago that could change colour to blend but I can't remember what it was!! (I've googled and it's not Farlowella)

Viperbot; Thanks, a couple of Dwarf Chichlids them might be ideal for keeping the rummy noses in a close knit shoal. I looked them up and they actually seemed pretty well suited to my tank too.

Damian_Ireland; I'm only testing ph at the moment, I ran my last tank for years and never tested anything but this time I am planning to do it right. I'm going to wait another 2 weeks and then test the water. I want to make sure I'm happy with all the plants before any fish are introduced. How can I test that the tank is ready for fish?


Also, from a list of halfbeaks, ottos, rummy noses, ammano shrimp, dwarf chichlids and maybe a banjo catfish (but not all of these guys), whats best to get first? I was thinking if I start off with 1 or 2 hardy fish in another 2 weeks that the tank will cycle better and I would not risk it crashing. Any ideas?

Also, should I measure hardness or gh?

Thanks again everyone!

Dan.

by me saying "a wee bit on the big side" is in reference too being a wee bit too big for your current set up, but i must say they are seriously cool fish, have you seen them for sale and if so where?

cheers, Darren

dan, your discription sounds like a whiptail Pleco?

I find bristlenose pleco's are good for smallish setups.

I would'nt bother measuring the kh/gh unless you are keeping something like discus.
for aquarium cycle read here. www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php

Dar: RE Banjo Catfish, No, I just assumed I'd be able to find some cause I had them years ago. Come to think of it the last few times I've been in to my LFSs I havn't seen them or even Rummy nose tetras! Any idea where I can get some?

Alex: Thanks, I think you are right! I had one over 10 years ago so I was a bit fuzzy on details. I think I'll get one of these or 1 Banjo Catfish.

Damian_Ireland: Thanks for the advice but I went and picked up a 5 in 1 test kit to measure pH, NO2, NO3, KH & GH. Sure I may as well see what it's all about!



I think I might get 3 white cloud minnows initially to help the tank stabilise (I like these guys but I've had them for years). I can hardly get 12 rummy nose tetras all at once, or can I?

Also, I'm considering getting an air pump with stone to run on a timer at night when the lights go out. This would be to maintain oxygen levels for the fish at night on account of the plants. Does this seem like a good idea?

Also, I have my light set on a timer to be on from 1.30 pm to 10.30pm, does this seem like enough light?

Thanks again,

Dan.

A couple more pics....

I know it's not on your list but how about some small cory's like pandas and perhaps a small bristlenose like Ancistrus claro?

Melander

They have loads of banjo cats on the longmile road.

I wouldn't think they'd be good for your setup as they bury themselves in sand naturally. You wouldn't want them digging up your substrate and having bits of peat all over the tank.

Very cool fish though..

There are loads of cool bottom dwellers - maybe check out the neon blue gobies in seahorse aqauriums. These are rare in the trade and absolute stunners...