Starting new aquarium

[jimnyc]

So I setup a 29 gallon tank. All I put in so far is gravel and some lame plants. I want to get the water right for awhile before I get any fish. I'm hoping for live plants down the road, but it depends on what fish I choose. Same as putting rocks/slate in there.

I'm torn on what kinds of fish to get. I may just toss in about 5 different African Cichlids that will get along. They'll be fine in that tank for life. I was thinking maybe like 2 Oscar's, but they are messy bastards, and will outgrow and need a minimum 75 gallon down road. But I DO want messy, I'm thinking the more aggressive the better, a killer!

I can get a piranha or 2, but they will also be messy, and will outgrow. Both Oscar's and Piranha's will grow 10-14 inches. But at least you can watch the Oscar's eat little fishies, and same with Piranha who you can also give some meat to now and again! Then there's the green terror, but same thing with outgrowing and also about a foot long.

Then there's the red devil and convict, who I think you cannot have together. I think the devil will get larger, but can be kept in a tank as they don't grow AS large in captivity. The convict lives up to it's name, as strong as a convict who's been lifting his whole life!

I don't know if I go with friendlier cichlids and shoot for a "good looking tank" - or do I go for aggressive, which will mean more work, but also more fun!!

Here's what I started with, just so I could get the water going. I'd like to let it cycle for a bit and then do water testing before putting in a test subject! I'm gonna take pics throughout, as it clears up, and as I design it, and then when I toss in my new buddies.

[Olivia]

I grew a tiny goldfish ( won at the fair) in to a giant in a 30 gallon tank. Goldfish are smart. He knew feeding times. He would roll over on his back and wave! He live 5 years!

[jimnyc]

I grew a tiny goldfish ( won at the fair) in to a giant in a 30 gallon tank. Goldfish are smart. He knew feeding times. He would roll over on his back and wave! He live 5 years!

Oh man, one of those are only going to last a few seconds in my tank. I used to drop dozens in my old tank and watch my 2 huge Oscar's eat them in minutes. He would have a fishie swallowed, another in his mouth with a tail hanging out, and he would still be going around the tank chasing more!

[Jeff]

Jim I have the 50 gallon tank with 2 Oscars ( that are now huge ) in it and I am getting ready to take it down, they are so nasty you can't keep the tank clean. Then ya have to worry about the feeder gold fish ya buy ( they can have disease ) Both of my Oscars picked up some kind of disease and have been blind for over a year now ( nope no more feeding them live fish ) but seriously they turn into more work than fun.

Now as far as Piranha's go I had them while still living up in NJ ( you can't buy them down here they are illegal ) and they where fun, yes they are messy but the ones I had at least, stayed pretty small ( Piranhas are school fish so ya want a few ) and if ya feed them right I dont remember them being near as messy as the Oscars, Now I remember Sir Evil and myself had went fishing and when we came home we had 17 minnows left and threw them in the tank with the Piranhas, now that was a mess. I think I had 2 or 3 small ones in the tank, so they ate the minnows until full and then just shredded the rest, dead fish floating everywhere

As for the African cichlids, they grow nice, but beware of their little size when you buy them, in a 29 gallon tank 2 or 3 is all you would want to be healthy, although you could get away with a few others ( especially when they are small ) but they grow fast, I had them before the Oscars ( which are basically cichlids as well ) out of the three choices I found these fish to be the easiest to raise ( as far as health ) and they are beautiful fish.

Good luck with them and have fun.

[jimnyc]

Jim I have the 50 gallon tank with 2 Oscars ( that are now huge ) in it and I am getting ready to take it down, they are so nasty you can't keep the tank clean. Then ya have to worry about the feeder gold fish ya buy ( they can have disease ) Both of my Oscars picked up some kind of disease and have been blind for over a year now ( nope no more feeding them live fish ) but seriously they turn into more work than fun.

Now as far as Piranha's go I had them while still living up in NJ ( you can't buy them down here they are illegal ) and they where fun, yes they are messy but the ones I had at least, stayed pretty small ( Piranhas are school fish so ya want a few ) and if ya feed them right I dont remember them being near as messy as the Oscars, Now I remember Sir Evil and myself had went fishing and when we came home we had 17 minnows left and threw them in the tank with the Piranhas, now that was a mess. I think I had 2 or 3 small ones in the tank, so they ate the minnows until full and then just shredded the rest, dead fish floating everywhere

As for the African cichlids, they grow nice, but beware of their little size when you buy them, in a 29 gallon tank 2 or 3 is all you would want to be healthy, although you could get away with a few others ( especially when they are small ) but they grow fast, I had them before the Oscars ( which are basically cichlids as well ) out of the three choices I found these fish to be the easiest to raise ( as far as health ) and they are beautiful fish.

Good luck with them and have fun.

Damn, your Oscar's are still kicking? And yeah, I know the work. I changed water weekly when I had mine. They thrived for a few years. Then I went to Florida to visit Dad, and showed Diana how to do it, just ONE time while I was gone. She didn't listen. I came home to 2 dead fish. I think she poisoned them!! LOL

Piranha's can get to about 12 inches or so, depending on which one. The typical "red belly" will grow that size. They are illegal here in NY too! LOL I have my sources though, and shit, you can just order them online with next day delivery if you can't find them on the "black market".

The cichlids may be the way to go, for my own sanity and less cleaning. If I do, I might go with the black convicts, and if so I will only get 3 of them. They grow 4-6 inches - but are fun because they are angry little bastards!!

[Trigg]

The tank looks nice.

I don't do fish, my daughter's friend wanted me to watch hers during spring break but I was afraid I'd kill it. Fish don't' tend to last long around me

I do very well at keeping kids and dogs alive though

[jimnyc]

The tank looks nice.

I don't do fish, my daughter's friend wanted me to watch hers during spring break but I was afraid I'd kill it. Fish don't' tend to last long around me

I do very well at keeping kids and dogs alive though

Most of the bubbles have disappeared. My ph levels are normal. My temps are in range. I'm leaning towards getting a few black convicts...

[Jeff]

Most of the bubbles have disappeared. My ph levels are normal. My temps are in range. I'm leaning towards getting a few black convicts...

Racist !!!!

[sundaydriver]

I just go in the backyard and watch the Trout in the creek. Not colorful but no fuss, no muss.

[jimnyc]

Racist !!!!

Hell, I actually did think of that. I think the convict thing is because of the black stripes, not sure why the "black" part was necessary. I think there might be others with different colors.

[jimnyc]

So I added an air stone in the back, a large rock that offers multiple hiding places, one small hanging live plant...

2 black convicts
2 Demasoni
2 red peacock cichlids

None were visible in this picture, must be hiding. They have since come out and have been eating. Will only be pellets, flakes and a little frozen blood worms as a treat here and there. When they get bigger is when I get to have fun with the feeders. I still need to get a cool background, maybe adjust in a few more rocks, and maybe toss aside or rearrange the plants.

[LongTermGuy]

So I added an air stone in the back, a large rock that offers multiple hiding places, one small hanging live plant...

2 black convicts
2 Demasoni
2 red peacock cichlids

None were visible in this picture, must be hiding. They have since come out and have been eating. Will only be pellets, flakes and a little frozen blood worms as a treat here and there. When they get bigger is when I get to have fun with the feeders. I still need to get a cool background, maybe adjust in a few more rocks, and maybe toss aside or rearrange the plants.

`Good...they need their hiding places of secure safety....good for the fish...they will be out..later`

[jimnyc]

`Good...they need their hiding places of secure safety....good for the fish...they will be out..later`

It's funny, the little convicts are the tiniest of the group, but now going around the entire tank showing off and being a little aggressive for now, letting the others know who the boss are. Pretty funny when they are like an inch big! LOL So the fish are the 2 black striped ones, 2 dark blue with black stripes, and 2 red bastards which I can't tell their stripes very well just yet as the little sissies won't come out of hiding too much yet.

My brother laughed at me because I bought like 9 different kinds of food. But 2 of them are herbivore and 4 of them omnivore. Then I needed food cause I got 2 little african dwarf frogs for my other tank! They're friendly little buggers, also omnivores. So those suckers need something that goes to the bottom that'll be good flake wise and veggie wise, but also got them some brine shrimp and they can have a little taste of some frozen shrimp like once a week.

[LongTermGuy]

It's funny, the little convicts are the tiniest of the group, but now going around the entire tank showing off and being a little aggressive for now, letting the others know who the boss are. Pretty funny when they are like an inch big! LOL So the fish are the 2 black striped ones, 2 dark blue with black stripes, and 2 red bastards which I can't tell their stripes very well just yet as the little sissies won't come out of hiding too much yet.

My brother laughed at me because I bought like 9 different kinds of food. But 2 of them are herbivore and 4 of them omnivore. Then I needed food cause I got 2 little african dwarf frogs for my other tank! They're friendly little buggers, also omnivores. So those suckers need something that goes to the bottom that'll be good flake wise and veggie wise, but also got them some brine shrimp and they can have a little taste of some frozen shrimp like once a week.

`Im sure you know...keep these guys out...I had a few...they breath air...have a good life-span and hate other fish...ruthless little bastards...

.....
about an inch...to an inch and a half long....with bad attitudes

[jimnyc]

The betta's are cool, but too mainstream. But most do underestimate them, and see them like colorful gold fish. But if you put 2 males together, they really will fight to the death!