Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => General Fishkeeping advice => Topic started by: barneyadi on January 21, 2018, 04:28:23 PM

Title: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on January 21, 2018, 04:28:23 PM
So house renovations and move are nearly done, and am on the lookout for a second tank, in the region of 125l. And I am wondering what to put in each tank. I have sand in the bottom of my original tank, should I go a different way, maybe gravel, or stick with sand.
That then brings up the thoughts on fish. Thinking of different types obviously but wondering what I could put in each tank to mix things up. I have soft water if that helps.
Any views/opinions much appreciated.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: fcmf on January 21, 2018, 04:34:08 PM
Before we advise on suitable fish, can I just check that your water hardness is 7.14 degrees Clark and 102 mg CaCO/litre? I found this in a previous post but just wanted to check that this is definitely the water hardness for the place you're moving to?
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on January 21, 2018, 04:44:58 PM
Yes, that is what water company tell me on their website, will of course double check myself when some boxes are unpacked.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Sue on January 21, 2018, 04:49:43 PM
I would go with sand in both tanks simply because it gives more options than if you were to use gravel. I can't think of any fish suitable for your sized tanks that would benefit from gravel over sand.

Will you want to get of the same fish again or would you prefer to get all different? And can you remind us how big the current (empty) tank is?
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on January 21, 2018, 04:55:49 PM
Hi

The current tank is 125l  as well, measures 80x30. Second tank will be similar size. Open to all types of fish, would like some colour in the tank. Got plastic plants in current tank, will probably do same in new one unless different fish might like planted tank.

Did have harlequins and pencilfish in old set up.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Matt on January 21, 2018, 07:03:32 PM
I would be very tempted to make the two tanks different from each other in some way. Or to do a biotope type setup in one. 

A biotope is where all the fish, plants substrate and decor all come from one place in the world and the aim is to recreate that environment as closely as possible.  They can be a real challenge to get right when you are researching them and setting them up but they are not neccessarily a hard style of tank to keep.

Another thought... You can put additives in your water to make it harder if you want to be able to stock fish that you otherwise wouldn't be able to.  That might be an easy way of making one tank different to the other.

I now have a community tank and a dwarf puffer tank for example. Fish that could never be housed together in the same tank. The plants are all different.  The hardscape materials are the same, but the layout very different.

I would recommend setting up both tanks to be relatively low maintenance so as to avoid creating a problem for yourself later down the line.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Littlefish on January 21, 2018, 07:11:32 PM
There is so much choice open to you.
Are there any particular fish you'd like to have? catfish, cories, or other bottom dwellers? Surface dwellers such as hatchets or panchax?
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on January 21, 2018, 07:59:47 PM
I would be very tempted to make the two tanks different from each other in some way. Or to do a biotope type setup in one. 

A biotope is where all the fish, plants substrate and decor all come from one place in the world and the aim is to recreate that environment as closely as possible.  They can be a real challenge to get right when you are researching them and setting them up but they are not neccessarily a hard style of tank to keep.

Another thought... You can put additives in your water to make it harder if you want to be able to stock fish that you otherwise wouldn't be able to.  That might be an easy way of making one tank different to the other.

I now have a community tank and a dwarf puffer tank for example. Fish that could never be housed together in the same tank. The plants are all different.  The hardscape materials are the same, but the layout very different.

I would recommend setting up both tanks to be relatively low maintenance so as to avoid creating a problem for yourself later down the line.

Both ideas are interesting but not sure how I would make my water harder. How would I do that?
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Sue on January 21, 2018, 08:12:01 PM
The best way is by adding remineralisation salts as used by those people who use 100% RO water such as Kent RO Right https://www.kentmarine.com/products/water-care/ro/ or Tropic Marin Re-Mineral Tropic http://www.tropic-marin.com/minerals-bacteria/de-re-mineral-tropic-en-re-mineral-tropic-fr-re-mineral-tropic/?lang=en (Both of these make a marine version too, so be careful).
The main problem is that the salts have to be dosed at exactly the same ratio of salt:water at every water change and you cannot risk running out of the salts so there must be an unopened pack in the cupboard at all times.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Littlefish on January 21, 2018, 08:15:06 PM
It may also make this slightly more difficult when acclimatising new fish, as the shop will most likely have used local water.
You'd be amazed at how many fish you can keep in your water, so it may not be necessary to harden it.
Have a look around your LFS first, see if anything takes your fancy. 
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Matt on January 21, 2018, 08:16:35 PM
Just to add that whilst they are called salts, they are not salt as in marine tanks but salts (ie crystals) of the minerals found in harder water. @Sue - I'm not sure if my statement above is totally accurate but am I in the right ballpark?

@Littlefish suggestion to look round the LFSs is a good one as is looking at the fish profiles on this site. Let us know what takes your fancy!
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on January 21, 2018, 08:30:10 PM
Had a look around at the LFS and seen some fish I have never seen before, but need to make a return visit. In one shop there was a fish names mickey mouse or Minnie mouse, or something very similar. Was thinking of Barbs in one tank as I know they are not a big community fish.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Matt on January 21, 2018, 08:34:33 PM
Barbs should be ok, though I think the Micky mouse thing is a type of Molly which would require hard water.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Littlefish on January 21, 2018, 08:38:31 PM
Mickey mouse platy? They are quite colourful.
You may have to harden you water a bit for them.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Sue on January 21, 2018, 08:45:24 PM
Mickey mouse are platies. The dark patches on the caudal peduncle (the bit of the fish that the tail is attached to) look like a sideways Mickey Mouse silhouette. They need hardness 15 to 30 dH. https://www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/fish/tropical/livebearers/micky-mouse-platy/

The barbs depend on the species. Tiger barbs need to be kept on their own because they are so nippy I wouldn't trust them with any other fish; cherry barbs are OK in a community tank; golden barbs need cooler water than most fish and so on.


@Matt, remineralisation salts are indeed the minerals that are found naturally in water, and the more of them there are the harder the water. Fresh water has different salts (ie minerals) from sea water, which is why they make two different types of remineralisation salts.

They are called salts because that is the chemical term for this type of compound. Common salt (the stuff you put on chips) is just one type of salt, sodium chloride.

Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on January 21, 2018, 08:55:36 PM
The more I read about tetras I definitely want some of them. The penguin and lemon tetras look great.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Littlefish on January 21, 2018, 09:05:05 PM
I have both and I think they are lovely.
I have lemon tetras in a Fluval Roma 125 (80cm). They are with a BN, some glass blood bloodfins and gold stripe corydoras. The colours/marking on the lemon tetras are lovely.
I have penguin tetras in a 125 with some hatchets, a BN, and black neon tetras. I like the way that penguin tetras hang around slightly nose down, and they are quite active fish.

Yes, I have tanks where the fish are slightly colour co-ordinated; the first tank the fish all have yellow/orange/red colours, and the second tank the fish are all dark/black/silver.  :-[
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on January 21, 2018, 09:07:02 PM
I have both and I think they are lovely.
I have lemon tetras in a Fluval Roma 125 (80cm). They are with a BN, some glass blood bloodfins and gold stripe corydoras. The colours/marking on the lemon tetras are lovely.
I have penguin tetras in a 125 with some hatchets, a BN, and black neon tetras. I like the way that penguin tetras hang around slightly nose down, and they are quite active fish.

Yes, I have tanks where the fish are slightly colour co-ordinated; the first tank the fish all have yellow/orange/red colours, and the second tank the fish are all dark/black/silver.  :-[

What is a BN?
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Sue on January 21, 2018, 09:14:35 PM
Bristlenose, a type of plec. One of the smaller types. http://www.thinkfish.co.uk/fish/bristlenose-plec.html
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Littlefish on January 21, 2018, 09:39:24 PM
Sorry.
I have Bertie, who is a yellow male, and Harri, who is a standard female.
They had to be put into separate tanks after the egg laying/hatching incident last year - they were at it roughly every 4 weeks, it was crazy.
I think Bertie has some lovely bristles and is a very nice chap. I also like watching him feed on the front glass as the way his mouth moves reminds me of a sock puppet.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on January 22, 2018, 07:14:12 PM
Well just tested my water and got the following results

PH 7.0
GH 6 deg (100ppm)
KH 3 deg (50ppm

Can anyone see any problems with these figures?

Went to my local Pets at Home today, very clean looking tanks and varied stock. Saw a lot of fish possibilities. Different types of tetras (glowlight, rummynose, cardinal, black neon, silver tip, xray, penguin and rosy) and barbs (albino tiger, green tiger, small tiger, golden and cherry) And some I am not sure which category they fit like Black Widow, Pakistani Loach, Black Phantom and  Scissor Tail rasbora. Will need to look at seriously fish to see which fit my parameters water wise.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Sue on January 22, 2018, 07:35:29 PM
And tank size wise, and compatibility wise  ;)
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on January 22, 2018, 07:54:11 PM
And tank size wise, and compatibility wise  ;)

Yes, have already dropped some from list due to tank size. Barbs worry me over compatibility, even with their own kind. If anyone has any info on tank mates for barbs, or if a barb only tank could work, would love to know.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Sue on January 22, 2018, 08:11:28 PM
It does depend on the species of barb. Tiger barbs are notoriously bad for compatibility; I've had cherry barbs and they didn't bother any other fish.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Littlefish on January 22, 2018, 08:18:52 PM
I only have tiger barbs in the same tank. I don't mix them with anything else because, quite frankly, they are nuts at feeding time.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Helen on January 22, 2018, 10:48:30 PM
You have similar pH and hardness as me, though I don't know what size tank you have (did I read 125l somewhere?)

I have just introduced fiveband barbs to my 240l (planted) community tank and although they've only been in a week, they have coloured up and seem happy.

I have also had cherry barbs previously and they seemed happy, although weren't particularly long lived (I don't know if that is the species, or that my tank wasn't quite right for them). I don't remember any particular issues with disease with them.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on January 23, 2018, 07:09:33 PM
Thanks for the information on Barbs. I might try some cherry barbs and see how things go. Already took some fish off my possibles list but still should have a decent list left.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Sue on January 23, 2018, 07:17:16 PM
Just for information, I used to have some albino cherry barbs. The males were orange, females yellow, both with red eyes. That's eyeball not eye ring! I got them from Maidenhead Aquatics though the branch I got them from hasn't had them recently.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on January 23, 2018, 08:07:26 PM
I am wondering if I should use live plants in the 2nd tank, something different to try but not sure where to start or what to get plant wise. Wonder if some fish would prefer live plants?
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Matt on January 23, 2018, 08:13:21 PM
Fish don't particularly care whether they are plastic, silk, or live.  A planted tank is definitely a nice 'next step' in the hobby.  Some people find they don't get on with them, others find they came take to it quite naturally. To maximise your success I would recommend plants such as buce, anubias, java fern, which grow attached to decor rather than planted in the substrate.  These are bomb proof for most people and don't require specialised lighting, substrates or fertilisers.  You could start there and work up to something more complex over time perhaps??
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Sue on January 23, 2018, 09:23:31 PM
To give you an idea of what Matt means, look at my tank https://forums.thinkfish.co.uk/gallery-showcase/sue's-fish-may-2017/ None of the plants in there are rooted in the substrate. I have water sprite floating on the surface, stems of hornwort weighted down, and everything else is attached to wood.


Live plants are good things to have in tanks - they use ammonia, meaning less ammonia for the bacteria turn in to nitrate = lower nitrate; and they absorb a lot of biochemicals made by the fish.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on January 24, 2018, 11:04:51 AM
Silly question but would plants attach to plastic decorations or does it have to be wood?
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Sue on January 24, 2018, 12:15:28 PM
Java fern attaches to plastic because I had that on plastic before I changed it all to wood. I don't know about the other plants I have because I've never tried them on plastic. Bucephalandra attaches to rock - I had that on rock then switched it to wood.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Helen on January 24, 2018, 01:09:35 PM
My anubias attached itself to the smooth glass of my tank. So I would guess that it would attach itself to anything.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on January 24, 2018, 07:26:20 PM
Thanks guys, all the plant info is very helpful.

Thought i had got lucky today with a second tank but it needs a new lighting unit which seems to cost £100. it is a Juwel 180 in case anyone has any other ideas.

Thanks
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on January 25, 2018, 07:16:22 PM
Well it seems I have a 2nd tank lined up, a second hand Juwel 125 with stand for £80. It need a filter and heater but people on here have already recommend a couple but any other recommendations gratefully received.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Sue on January 25, 2018, 07:28:44 PM
I used to have a Juwel Rio 125. I removed the filter after a month because it was just so noisy and got an Eheim Aquaball, then changed it for an Eheim Biopower filter when they came out. The Fluval U series are also a good make (just swap the poly carbon pads for plain filter floss/filter wool)
I also had an Eheim Jager heater, the thermocontrol type, there is a 125 watt version.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on January 31, 2018, 03:01:32 PM
Well I get my second hand tank tomorrow so excited about that.

Visited Maidenhead Aquatics to see what fish they stocked and came away with quite a list, a few I hadn't seen before. But it did leave me with a question. I understand that Carlisle is a soft water area and wondering why they stock guppies and mollies that prefer hard water. I imagine some people might user RO but not a majority.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Sue on January 31, 2018, 03:07:50 PM
They stock them because there is a demand. They probably don't care what happens to the fish after they are sold. And although the vast majority of people who buy them will have no idea about them needing hard water there will be some keen fishkeepers who add remineralisation salts to their tanks to make the water harder.

The problem with seeing so many fish is trying to decide which ones  ;D
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on January 31, 2018, 03:15:57 PM
The problem with seeing so many fish is trying to decide which ones  ;D

Well have visited my 3 local ones, each have different fish which is good but need to reduce the list to see who gets on with who and will fit tank and water conditions. MA had some fish I had never seen before like a blue eyed Gertrude rainbow and a lampeye which I will need to look into.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Sue on January 31, 2018, 04:22:37 PM
You'll find that Seriously Fish has very few lampeyes. The most common one is the norman's blue eye and that's not there - I looked for myself when I was restocking my big tank. They do have Pseudomugils though (gertrude's rainbow)
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on January 31, 2018, 07:13:00 PM
You'll find that Seriously Fish has very few lampeyes. The most common one is the norman's blue eye and that's not there - I looked for myself when I was restocking my big tank. They do have Pseudomugils though (gertrude's rainbow)

Thanks Sue

Was having trouble finding details on them so that makes sense.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Matt on January 31, 2018, 10:08:42 PM
Have you seen:
http://www.thinkfish.co.uk/fish/lampeye-panchax.html (http://www.thinkfish.co.uk/fish/lampeye-panchax.html)
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Rustle on February 01, 2018, 11:40:30 AM
I have 6 lampeyes in my tank and they are great little fish and look really good when amongst the heavy vegetation with their bright illuminated eyes when the lights are on. They also get on with all my fish including cherry barbs and neon tetras.

Once my guppy's pass on I will get some more to make a bigger shoal.

Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on February 01, 2018, 04:13:01 PM
Thanks for info on Lampeye's. Picked up my second hand tank today and will start getting it ready tomorrow. Think it needs a good wipe out but am I right in thinking just water is best way to go?
Got sand, filter and heater today, will wash and fill tank tomorrow and start cycling from their. Was thinking of putting a little bit sponge from my other tank in with the new filter, but not sure if it might affect my other tanks restarting cycle. And advice?
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Sue on February 01, 2018, 04:19:36 PM
Water should be fine. If there are any limescale deposits, vinegar or lemon juice and hard scrubbing, and rise the vinegar/juice out well afterwards.


Taking media from the first tank will slow the cycling/bacteria awakening in that tank but not by too much. And if it's just a question of the bacteria becoming 'undormant' that should help the second tank cycle a bit quicker.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on February 02, 2018, 08:50:40 PM
Penguin tetra 6+ 8cm
Rosy Tetra 6+ 4cm
Glowlight Tetra 6+ 4cm
Rummynose Tetra 6+ 5cm
Black Widow 6+ 6cm
Black Phantom 8+ 3.6cm
Cardinal Tetra 8+ 3.5cm
Black Neon Tetra 8+ 3.5cm
Silver Tip Tetra 6+ 5cm
X Ray Tetra 6+ 4.5cm
Redpoint Cichlid ?
XL Rosy Tetra 6+ 4cm
Neon Tetra 8+ 3cm
False Julil Cory 4+ 5.5cm
Cherry Barb 6+ 5cm
Lampeye 4cm
Blue Eyed Gertrude Rainbow 8+ 3.5cm
Ember Tetra 8+ 2cm
Diamond Neon Tetra 6+ 6cm
Bronze Cory  4+ 7.5cm
Lemon Tetra 8+ 4cm
Red Phantom Tetra 8+ 3.5cm
Black Phantom Tetra 8+ 3.6cm
Golden Pencilfish group 10+ 3.5cm
Hockeystick Pencilfish
Glass Bloodfin Tetra – 6+ 6cm
Panda Cory – 6+ 5cm

So this is a list of possible fish. From what I can tell from Seriously Fish they should be ok with each other but wondering what others think? It does say some might get out competed, was wondering if I could keep those in one of my tanks together?

Any thoughts much appreciated.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Sue on February 03, 2018, 09:43:09 AM
That is some list  ;D

None of the species jump out as being 'don't get those'.

However - Honduran redpoints get a bit too big for a 125 litre tank, in my opinion. Opinion is divided as to whether they are a separate species or just a colour variant of the convict cichlid from a different geographical location. Whichever they are, if they behave like convicts they are not really community fish. Have a look at what Seriously Fish says about convicts.


If you want cichlids, look at apistogrammas, Bolivian rams or even nannacaras. Should you decide on a cichlid, make sure you buy a bonded pair.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on February 03, 2018, 09:56:32 AM
Hi Sue

I think with such a list I can afford to loose 1 or 2.

You suggest Rams but on seriously fish it says a 90cm tank is best and mine is 80cm. And also a group of 6 to 8.What do you think. I saw some blue rams which I would like but was worried about tank size.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Sue on February 03, 2018, 10:01:49 AM
Blue rams (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) are more difficult to stock round as they do better in warmer water than most fish are comfortable with. I once had a bonded pair of Bolivian rams (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus) in a Rio 125 and they were OK. Apistogrammas need a 60 cm tank and Nannacara anomala can be kept is a smaller tank than that so they'd both be fine.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on February 03, 2018, 10:11:27 AM
Think I might stick to list and try and reduce it down. With the fish that don't compete well, what would your advice be for those?
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Sue on February 03, 2018, 10:28:13 AM
Usually that comment means that some fish are more active and eat all the food before other fish can have a chance; other fish are sedate fish that are slower to get to food, and can be intimidated by the faster swimming, more active fish.

With two tanks, I would try to separate the two types of fish if you would like some of each type - a tank of active, fast swimmers and a tank of sedate pootlers.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Matt on February 03, 2018, 03:28:43 PM
You could only have a maximum of 2 rams in a tank that size....
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on February 03, 2018, 04:40:04 PM
Well according to Seriously Fish, the only lively fish is the glowlight tetra so that seems that the rest should get on ok.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on February 18, 2018, 06:16:45 PM
Penguin tetra 6+ 8cm
Rosy Tetra 6+ 4cm
Glowlight Tetra 6+ 4cm
Rummynose Tetra 6+ 5cm
Black Widow 6+ 6cm
Black Phantom 8+ 3.6cm
Cardinal Tetra 8+ 3.5cm
Black Neon Tetra 8+ 3.5cm
Silver Tip Tetra 6+ 5cm
X Ray Tetra 6+ 4.5cm
Redpoint Cichlid ?
XL Rosy Tetra 6+ 4cm
Neon Tetra 8+ 3cm
False Julil Cory 4+ 5.5cm
Cherry Barb 6+ 5cm
Lampeye 4cm
Blue Eyed Gertrude Rainbow 8+ 3.5cm
Ember Tetra 8+ 2cm
Diamond Neon Tetra 6+ 6cm
Bronze Cory  4+ 7.5cm
Lemon Tetra 8+ 4cm
Red Phantom Tetra 8+ 3.5cm
Black Phantom Tetra 8+ 3.6cm
Golden Pencilfish group 10+ 3.5cm
Hockeystick Pencilfish
Glass Bloodfin Tetra – 6+ 6cm
Panda Cory – 6+ 5cm

So this is a list of possible fish. From what I can tell from Seriously Fish they should be ok with each other but wondering what others think? It does say some might get out competed, was wondering if I could keep those in one of my tanks together?

Any thoughts much appreciated.

Is there any fish in this list more suited to a mature tank?
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: fcmf on February 18, 2018, 07:00:02 PM
The cories are all best suited to more mature tanks.

I see you mention in an earlier comment that Seriously Fish only mentions glowlights as being lively - most tetras and pencilfish are fairly lively although SF may not specifically mention this. Others may be able to advise on comparative liveliness of different tetra and pencilfish species, though. Although this is a wonderful range of fish, I would strongly advise on making a shortlist of preferred species and, for shoaling fish such as tetras, increasing the numbers in the shoal.
:fishy1:
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on February 18, 2018, 07:25:27 PM
Well how about 8 each of the following?

Lemon Tetra
Ember Tetra
Diamond Tetra
Black Phantom Tetra

Would be 76% full for my tank. I take it that they should all get on.
It's a shame about the corys as would have like some Panda Corys or similar.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Matt on February 18, 2018, 07:28:45 PM
They will all show quite similar behaviour. I al2ays try to mixing fish which behave differently to add interest to the tank... how about sparkling gourami for example?
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: fcmf on February 18, 2018, 07:33:31 PM
Cories would still be a possibility. Unless you've given your existing / recently-in-use tank a thorough scrub, there may well be the beneficial micro-organisms/biofilm on the inside surfaces. If that is the case (ie it's not been scrubbed clean), then the cories might be fine in that tank - definitely better in it than in a pristine new one.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on February 18, 2018, 07:39:50 PM
They will all show quite similar behaviour. I al2ays try to mixing fish which behave differently to add interest to the tank... how about sparkling gourami for example?

Don't think any of my local shops have those. How many would I need? My PH is 7 and GH is 100ppm. Anything else you might suggest.

Cories would still be a possibility. Unless you've given your existing / recently-in-use tank a thorough scrub, there may well be the beneficial micro-organisms/biofilm on the inside surfaces. If that is the case (ie it's not been scrubbed clean), then the cories might be fine in that tank - definitely better in it than in a pristine new one.

No, just gave the tank a wipe so maybe corries are a possibility.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: fcmf on February 18, 2018, 07:54:49 PM
My LFS (a branch of MA) has sparkling gourami in from time to time - they tend to be in the same section of the LFS as the micro/nano-sized species; if you have a local MA, they may be able to order them in for you or let you know when they have them in next. They are quite timid, though, so I'd advise keeping them with the ember or lemon tetra from your more recent shortlist - other tetra species may be too lively or nippy for them. Cories ought to be fine with them, though. That would make a nice combination - sparkling gourami in the upper level of the tank, a shoal of ember and/or lemon tetra in the middle, some cories on the bottom level of the tank.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on February 18, 2018, 07:58:46 PM
Ok, can anyone tell me the number to keep sparkling gouramis in. I only ask as seriously fish say a pair or small group whereas other sites say 6 to 8.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Matt on February 18, 2018, 09:34:24 PM
They rant really fussed as far as I know. They are very peaceful. I have had anything from 2 to 4 in the past personally but don't let that really strict you.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on February 19, 2018, 08:43:32 AM
Is a sparkling gourami the same as a pygmy gourami?
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Sue on February 19, 2018, 09:08:47 AM
Usually.
There are three gouramis in the genus Trichopsis, and while all three can be called pygmy gourami I have only once in 20 years seen anything other than T. pumila, the sparkling gourami, in any shop. I have seen sparkling gourami labelled as croaking gourami - that name should be applied to the other two species, but shops will be shops when it comes to names.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on February 19, 2018, 12:20:28 PM
Well picked up some Lemon and Ember tetras this morning. They only had a couple of panda corys so left those. Also looked at the gourami's which were marked as croaking gouramis but just didn't excite me.
Can anyone suggest another fish either from my list or elsewhere that would fit in with the tetras?

Had some luck as Maidenhead Aquatics water is exactly same as mine, so after balancing temperature I could add the fish quicker than normal. One tried to make a break for it but all in safely.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on February 19, 2018, 03:02:32 PM
Would bolivian or royal rams be an option? Or Harlequin Rasboras?
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: barneyadi on February 19, 2018, 04:06:57 PM
So that is all fish added for now.

8 x Lemon Tetra
8 x Ember Tetra
4 x Pepper Cory

They all seem happy at the moment. The Corys are flying round the tank but not annoying the tetras at all.
Title: Re: What to do with 2nd tank
Post by: Sue on February 19, 2018, 04:40:38 PM
Bolivian aka royal rams would be OK if you have sand on the tank floor. But you need to be aware that if you managed to find a pair and they spawned, the cories would never learn to stay away from the eggs and could get picked on.

And with cichlids you need to buy a bonded pair or a single fish. Just any male and any female could well dislike each other. They are very difficult to sex when young - the only 100% sure way is by their breeding tubes which are not visible in young fish.

Harlequins would be fine. There are two similar related species, Trigonostigma espei and T. hengeli that would work as well. Harlequins also come in a colour morph that has a very dark body and an almost orange nose - this is called purple harlequin, black harlequin or royal harlequin depending on which name the shop decides to use.