View Full Version : opinions here guys
lellison
02-11-2008, 10:28 PM
Okay, a friend of mine is a librarian at the high school here in Slidell. She has set up a 55 gallon tank in the library and enlisted my help to get her started. Tank has been up and running for a couple months, only a common pleco in it right now. I went up to test the water for her today. Ammonia, nitrates, nitrites all good. pH pretty high...8.5+. Regular gravel, some plants ( anubias, java fern on their way. hard to kill stuff etc.) Regular lighting and a large rock decoration. She has basically told me to tell her what to put in it if it were my tank. Anyways, I thought I would open the idea channels here and get some opinions from you guys. An empty tank is so fun. What would you put in it?
tsunderl
02-11-2008, 10:37 PM
ph like that is begging for cichlids! Put a few pieces of slate in there for them to hide out in and make it a beautiful, colorful, lively work of art.
EAST_TX_RN
02-11-2008, 10:50 PM
Well, I think a big old Oscar would look good or a mix of cichlids.
kewlkatdady
02-11-2008, 11:57 PM
I agree with T...
ph that high is asking for a cool tang tank.
biggin
02-11-2008, 11:58 PM
x3
I agree with T...
ph that high is asking for a cool tang tank.
dcacjc
02-12-2008, 06:05 AM
X4
Quote:
Originally Posted by kewlkatdady http://dfwfishbox.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://dfwfishbox.com/showthread.php?p=28678#post28678)
I agree with T...
ph that high is asking for a cool tang tank.
fishyjoe24
02-12-2008, 09:31 AM
go with some cichlids.
REYREY
02-12-2008, 09:48 AM
pirahnas!!!!
What sould be interestesting from a child perpestive...
a couple of oscars... wish we could tell the sex at a very young age... but if not.. 3 oscars.... anyhoooo..
oscars...preferred couple for future mating... and the use of both live and prepared foods... I know the kids would like to see the fish chase and eat..also breed....
Or Jack Dempseys...
Or... just a plain old chiclid - African JK... they are very pretty.... JUST some kind that is very active and will move lots of gravel around...
keeps the intersts peaked!
just my 3 cents
I like the Tang idea...HOWEVER- for a library, you're talkin about some expensive fish that need some attention and TLC. Based purely on the PH...
I'd say, lower the PH and put some less expensive, more hearty fish in there. I'd go with a lightly planted (low light group of plants)- with a couple Kribs a couple (good sized) wood shrimp and some mid-level dither fish.
Put $$ into decent filtration system so it won't need as frequent attention.
If this were an experienced fishkeeper- then tangs would be a good idea IMO.
biggin
02-12-2008, 12:17 PM
She is in a library....she can read how to take care of the fish.
Only thing is chances are the water is that high of a ph because that is what it is coming out of the tap. I have a buddy who lives in The Colony and his PH is about 8.5 coming out and he has all sorts of problems getting it down to a reasonable level for most fish. While I do not think PH is that important as long as it is consistent anything above 8 is pretty high for the Petco special fish.
kewlkatdady
02-12-2008, 12:20 PM
tangs are not hard to care for...
no different than Mbuna or haps.
Do water changes and feed them...
Some tangs are kinda expensive, but most are normally priced africans
kewlkatdady
02-12-2008, 12:22 PM
oh and it doesn't have to be tangs...
you can do any type of african with a "natural" PH that high.
AndrewH
02-12-2008, 01:39 PM
I'd also have to agree. That pH will only support a few fish (and plants for that matter) without trying to be pretty aggressive at bring it down.
I'd be surprised if any plants would grow in that water (I hope I'm wrong). I'd definitely stay with the easier to grow plants, like you said anubias, java fern, swords, etc.
lellison
02-12-2008, 02:29 PM
yea I was thinking Africans myself. Only problem is I am not a fan of Africans in general, so I don't have as much knowledge with most of them. And yes the pH is that high coming out of tap. I think it would be hard for her to get it down...and to keep it down. Spikes in pH are worse. However...I have to admit that after researching some of the Africans...I want an african tank. I don't have the $$ or space though. So i think I will just live vicariously through her. lol. And yes I told her to get Java Fern, Anubias, java moss etc. What African's should I go for? I was showing her different ones on the internet to try to get a taste for what she wanted. She like OB Peacocks. Is 55 big enough? If so what else could she get? Sorry guys, I've just never had experience with africans much.
kewlkatdady
02-12-2008, 03:26 PM
the main reason I said tangs is because they are sometimes smaller and less aggressive.
If you want malawians (peacocks), you could have 4-6 males but I wouldn't put a female in there.
I personally think you could put a cool shellie or Cyp tank togther.
The cyps would offer alot of color and breed like rabbits.
REYREY
02-12-2008, 03:42 PM
flowerhorns!!!
come on... they are very interesting in thier own right and well.. are a sight to see!
kewlkatdady
02-12-2008, 03:54 PM
:jerod:flowerhorns!!!
come on... they are very interesting in thier own right and well.. are a sight to see!
rolloffhill
02-12-2008, 05:38 PM
Jeeze Jerod, I thought you'd never find that smilie!!!
Its even named after you!!!!:hehe:
kewlkatdady
02-12-2008, 05:58 PM
I know....ITS THE GREATEST THING SINCE AL GORE!!!!
:jerod:
bra8ndy8
02-12-2008, 10:10 PM
lmao its better then u giving the same ole finger!
ElijahTurtle
02-12-2008, 10:43 PM
I can't beleive I'm about to say this, but I would have to agree with going with cichlids... Yeesh! I'm not a fan of africans, but given the location & as active as they are, I think they would draw the best crowd. I must be out of my mind :confuzeld:
lellison
02-13-2008, 12:39 AM
haha, thats what I said to myself too
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l282/Fishgallery/CIMG0014.jpg
REYREY
02-13-2008, 08:54 AM
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!roflmaoroflmao
roflmaoroflmao
LMOFFFFFFFFFFFFFFroflmao
:flipa:
:tongue0011:
roflmao
lellison
02-13-2008, 03:19 PM
lmao, so hostile Chris
biggin
02-13-2008, 03:21 PM
Except that is KKD in the pic....
lmao, so hostile Chris
tsunderl
02-13-2008, 03:24 PM
Except that is KKD in the pic....
LOVE the purse!!! :hehe:
fishman76092
02-13-2008, 06:30 PM
I remember the tanks in my high school did not get cared for well and ended up getting soap, etc in them. Personally, I'd get something very tough-dwarf tilapia spp would be a good start. If you can make sure the tank does not get abuse-a tank of african tetras or Aussie Rainbow males would be nice with some Kribs and buffaloheads down below. Colorful and youll get to see some breeding behavior.
ElijahTurtle
02-14-2008, 08:23 AM
Aussie Rainbows & Kribs would be sweet! I don't think they have to worry about breeding behavior though....it's high school, plenty of that goin on already :eek:
lellison
02-14-2008, 08:24 AM
Except that is KKD in the pic....
Yes i know, but I'm pretty sure he meant the gesture with all his heart :hehe:
lellison
02-14-2008, 08:25 AM
Aussie Rainbows & Kribs would be sweet! I don't think they have to worry about breeding behavior though....it's high school, plenty of that goin on already :eek:
lol, no joke; unfortunatley
vBulletin® v3.8.6, Copyright ©2000-2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.