tricky tank.

[spoot]

I am about to set my 75 back up. Finally done with the apartment scene so hopefully this is the last time I have to set it up and stock. Which means more than ever I want to get it right.

My PH out of the tap is right between 7.6 and to 7.8. I don't have a specific hardness number, but the house has (had, I cleaned them with CLR) hard water deposits clogging all the faucets, and all over the glass shower doors so I imagine it is pretty rocky.

I would prefer to do a low/medium light planted set up using mineralized top soil from Bama Plants capped with some Flourite. Nothing major like a carpet or anything like that, just enough to get me some reds from Tiger Lotus with some Anubias and Crypts.

The problem I am having is finding some fish that will work in this PH, but not dig, eat, or otherwise demolish the plants. Everything I find seems to be out of my PH (Apistos, Rams) or not complimentary to a planted tank (Haps, Jack Dempsy). I am not a fan of livebearers. I don't mind angels or kribs, but am at a loss for tank mates.

I would really like to do some CA/SA Cichlids or Lake Victoria if possible. Most of the CA/SA I have looked at either dig or take softer water?

Any suggestions?

[davidtcb1]

If you acclimate the fish to your water, you're likely to not have a problem. Most of the fish you'll get have never experienced their natural habitat anyway.

[spoot]

I think I have a stock list nailed out. Just need to track down where I can find some of the less common ones I am looking for... List below.

2x Pelvicachromis taeniatus "Moliwe"
OR
2x Nannochromis parilus "Nudicpes"

2x Steatocranus casuarius "Buffalo Head"
6x Synodontis nigriventris
8x Aurlius Barb

Other than that I will have a trio of BNs, 5-6 Ottos, and some amano shrimp as clean up crew.

I am having a hard time finding either of the 2 chromis and the barbs. I have tried Aquabid with minimal success. Any other leads?

[jgentry]

Some butterfly fish would look good and will stay at the top of the tank and fit the african riverine theme.

[spoot]

Good call on the Butterfly Fish JD. I hadn't thought of those.

I'm also looking at:
www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=327

To replace the Arulius Barbs since those barbs are from India. I really want to do a themed tank. Have not done one before, always just general communities. The clean up crew I use isn't African, but I really don't want to do a tank without them.

I got with the LFS today, most everything I have on my list they can get, with the exception of the Pelvicachromis taeniatus and Nannochromis parilus. I think I'm going to have to scour forums to find someone breeding those and pay a hefty shipping fee. If I can't find the Pelvicachromis or Nannochromis then I'm going to go with good ole Kribs. I have had them before, and had very good success with them, but would like to try something new if I can.

If I had everything ready to go right now it would be:

2x Pelvicachromis taeniatus "Moliwe"
2x Steatocranus casuarius "Buffalo Head"
6x Syndontis nigriventris
6x Pareutropius buffei
1x Pantodon buchholzi
3x Bristlenose
5x Otos

Seems like a lot of catfish, but different types, so I don't think it will be "bland".

I am going to do plants, but going to tone the lights down from 4x48" T8s to only 2x48" and stick mostly with low light African plants like Anubias, African Water Fern, African Onion Plant and Green Tiger Lotus. Hair Grass is indigenous, but won't work with the subdued lighting. I am also trying to figure out what, if any, floating plants would fit in to help tone down the lighting even more. I'm wanting to use the Caribsea Voodoo River substrate to cap some soil from Bama Plants, and also have a bit of rock work and drift wood.

That's the plan anyway, when I get started with everything I'll try to get some pictures. Probably a couple of weeks at the least.

[spoot]

The tricky part is still my water. I tested some straight from the tap at 8.4, then a couple of days later from the tap at 8.0, then tested some that I had put in a 1 gallon jug for watering plants around the house, and it was 7.4.

So, I'm going to set the tank up and let it run for a while and then test. I called the water department and they said "Over a 10mo period we average around 8.0 at the plant" so I think it's fairly soft water and is artificially raised through the treatment process. I should be able to keep it fine if I keep my weekly changes to around 20%, or if I am going to change much more than 20%, get a few gallons set aside in buckets to settle for a couple of days.

[jgentry]

Riverine african fish are pretty hardy and should be fine. The ACA convention is in Louisville on 7/10-7/13. They have a huge auction on the last day and often have some rare stuff.

[jgentry]

Ted Judy has the pelvicachromis you want available at the convention. His available fish list is listed on the ACA site www.cichlid.org

[spoot]

Apparently my Bookmark isn't working. Any who...

Wish I could go to ACA but just can't swing it at the moment. Also the tank is still a bit off from being set up. I just ordered the soil from Bama Plants this week, and still waiting to see what I am going to do for a cap. I keep leaning back and forth from Gravel and Sand.

Anyway, have fun at ACA, post pics if you get something sweet!

[jon carman]

I went to the ACA auction and it was pretty good. Fish sold to high for me, but still picked up a few boxes worth. I drove there from miami, so I probably looked like a zombie. I am still waiting on my cut of the auction proceeds from running the bids up on all africans at least $10 more per bag than they would have been otherwise.

Side note, saw rick easterly there and we had some good chats. All is well in his world.

The auction had about 100 bags of penny sized angelfish that somehow got moved to the front.

[spoot]

I received the dirt from Bama Plants, and have my hard scape getting ready. Plan on finishing up rock cleaning this weekend and hope to start setting up next. Will take pics as I go. Plan is to hard scape, then put in flora, and fish lastly. Probably at least 4 weeks out from having it set up completely and ready for fish.

[spoot]

www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202585170498074&l=fe0680994a

Here's where I am now. Just a few small plants that I wanted to establish roots before I add fish. Easier for those Anubias to grab on if they aren't being nudged around all the time. I still plan to add some more larger plants as well (Anubias Hastafolia, Anubias Gigantea, and Crinum Calamistratum) before I add the fish.

[davidtcb1]

Looks really good. Great start.

[spoot]

All the plants are in and the tank is pretty much ready for fish. Problem is I am having a bit of trouble finding my stock locally. I have found them online from Wet Spot Tropical Fish in Portland Oregon, but am trying to avoid the hassle and uncertainties of online ordering. Anyone have some places to check here in TN or even KY / GA that I do not know about? Here is what I am looking for:

Pelvicachromis taeniatus "Moliwe"
Steatocranus casuarius "Buffalo Head"
Syndontis nigriventris
Pareutropius buffei
Ctenopoma acutirostre
Microctenopoma ansorgii

The last time I was at Critter (before the fire) I don't recall seeing any other than the Synos. I have looked at Aquarium and Aquatic Marine in Knoxville with no luck either.

[davidtcb1]

You might check with Jon Carman. He may be able to order them and you won't have to fool with it. Then you could just pick up from him.