Tropical Fish Forum
Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => General Fishkeeping advice => Topic started by: daniel_james_taylor on May 08, 2013, 06:22:36 PM
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Hi,
After a recent visit to maidenhead aquatics I have been inspired to set up a new aquarium. I am looking at the Eco 100 Tank & Cabinet ‘External’ Set:
• Tank dimensions: 100cm x 40cm x 50cm
• AquaManta EFX 200 external filter (looking to upgrade to EFX 300 for better filtration)
• Includes: 2 x 39w T5 lights & suitable heaterstat
http://fishkeeper.co.uk/site/product/aquamanta-eco-100-aquarium-cabinet-external-set
I would like a group of angel fish as the main attraction however am looking for suggestions of compatable fish and plants. I have been playing around with the compatability calculator however would like to hear form the forum too.
Thanks,
Dan.
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This isn't going to help you.... but could you tell us your water pH and hardness please. Also, are you particular about species from the same river system, country, continent or just happy that they get along? It'll help us to make reasonable suggestions.
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Hi Colin,
Using Tetra 6in1 test strip - GH16 - PH between 7.6 and 8.0 (colour on test strip is inbetween).
I am interested in a South/Central America species, however am looking overall for species that get along.
A few ideas I have are - congo tetra, bolivian ram, dwarf plec
Thanks,
Dan
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Large shoals of serpae tetras are visually pleasing (to me, anyway) By large i mean about 20 ish they behave so differently to small shoals of 7-9. They will dart in and out of the Angels, adding movement. However, some advise Angels prefer slow moving tank mates.
Peaceful tankmates could be pencilfish, neon tetras, harlequin rasboras, hatchetfish, dwarf gouramis, Corydoras catfish and Otocinclus catfish. This selection would give color and motion in all sections of an aquarium but not bother the angelfish. Stay away from barbs and aggressive tetras, such as the silver-tip tetra or the black-line tetra. They will harass the angels to a point where they may die.
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Your water is hard and alkaline which is a problem for South American fish as they mostly prefer soft and acidic water....... except for a few:
Surface water fish could be a shoal (12+) of Bloodfin Tetras (link (http://www.thinkfish.co.uk/fish/bloodfin-tetra.html)).
Mid water fish could be a shoal (12+) of X-ray Tetras (link (http://www.thinkfish.co.uk/fish/x-ray-tetra.html)).
Substrate fish could be at least six Bronze Corydoras (link (http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile18.html)) as this is one of the few catfish that thrives in harder water.
The Congo Tetra looks good as would a Bristlenose plec or two (link (http://www.thinkfish.co.uk/fish/bristlenose-plec.html)).
Central American hard-water fish would be Platies and Guppies..... which will both give your Angels a regular supply of small live food :P
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Hi Dan
This is a good little article (think Colin posted it a while ago) but it helped me as i have very hard alkaline water down in Portsmouth: http://wetwebmedia.com/fwsubwebindex/fwhardness.htm
Good luck!
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Thanks for the advice, and thats an interesting article :) http://wetwebmedia.com/fwsubwebindex/fwhardness.htm
I live on the Isle of Wight so im guessing water hardness must be very similar to the Portsmouth area.
I'm going to check with the lfs so see if they have aclimatised their angles (and other fish) to 'isle of wight water' or if they are kept in soft water. If so ill have to have a re-think on the stocking plan.
Thanks,
Dan