Looking for a cheap FW setup...

[musicman]

Hey guys!

There's no way I can start up with saltwater just yet because of costs, but I'm going absolutely crazy wanting a tank of some sort. I'm looking for something in the 30-75 gallon size with tank and stand. (Kinda' wide range, huh!) Do any of you have something that fits that description sitting in the garage? I'm going to set this up in my office, so I want it to be in pretty good condition. Let me know what you have and name your price. I'll be looking to buy after March 1st.

I want to do a classy lookin' planted tank, so I'm thinking about using a low powered (2 bulb) T5 setup. Do you all think that would be OK? Would that be TOO much light? Also, would that bother the fish?

My idea for this tank is to go with a natural looking brown gravel, taller plants in the back, shorter plants in the front (of course) and I want to feature the German Blue Ram fish. http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_German_Blue_Ram_Mikrogeophagus_ramirezi.php

Let me know!

 

[gsusfreak]

sent ya a pm

 

[NeveSSL]

Don't you need a substrate other than gravel for freshwater plants?

I think normal output T5s would be great on a planted tank. Depending on the size, you may be supplementing CO2, tho. But that just gives you something to tinker with!

And I'm with ya... those German Blue Rams are beautiful fish... and are well tempered too, I believe. Good choice. Maybe even add some neon tetras for color, unless you're tired of them. I don't think I can get sick of the poor little fellas... I've got 5 in my 10g.

Brandon

 

[musicman]

Got your PM, thanks John!

Brandon: Yea, I'll need some other form of substrate too, but I believe I can put the gravel on top. I'm going to do some more research over the next week and see. I know they've got brown gravel as the top layer, at least, in that nice planted bowfront at the Critter.

I would like to get a larger (40-50g) tank and have maybe 3 schools of 3 kinds of fish, but I don't know enough about the rams yet. From the little reading I've done, I don't think they do well in groups long-term. Mated pairs are OK, but I don't know if I can keep 6-7 of them. Even though they are nice cichlids, they are sill cichlids! =)

My other favorite FW fish is the gold barb. They are so active, and always schooling together. They go nuts at feeding time and are very friendly fish, while also very hardy. While they aren't agressive, they seem to hold their own against other aressive fish. Whatever I do, I'll have 7-8 of those.

I'm kind of over the neons, but I still like the Cardinal tetras, except that they are SOOOOOO delicate! Geez they are a pain in the butt!

Anotehr fish I like is the Colombian tetra. They have a blue-grey body and red fins. They also get a little larger, so I would only get maybe 5-6 of them. They have also been excellent schooling fish for me and very active.

I can't wait to have a tank again!

 

[Esabasard]

Sent a pm