skaffen

Well, I'm the proud owner of a 440 L tank now - just waiting on the plants to all arrive at the LFS so I can start building - can't wait to get the fish into the new tank

primerowan

good luck!! you should have a blast with a tank that large!

Blub

skaffen

Well, black or a blue-black vertical gradient for the back? I've just taken some photos and I'm gonna photoshop some plants and water in before I decide, I don't imagine it'll be easy to change my mind once it's full

I'm going to return the pleco when I start migrating the fish to the new tank, but minus him, what do you guys think of my stock levels? Could I get two more Balas and keep my existing fish? I imagine I won't replace the Tetras as they reduce in numbers over time, but will the red tailed black shark be ok with some larger fish?

I'm cycling my new filter on the 85 L tank to try to speed up the cycle when I put it on the new tank - will 5 days make a difference and get some bacteria going earlier?

I rinsed the filter thoroughly first, than ran a change from the 85 through it for a day using a bucket and a spare heater. Then I emptied it and repeated. Finally I filled it with another change then ran it in the 85 - on low volume... I'm learning to drive my test kit so I've been keeping a close eye on the tank but there's been no probs.

Anyhow, it looks pretty hard case - slight overkill?

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Blub

capekate

Hi Skaffen
IF you plan on splitting up your stock between the two tanks, there is no reason to give up your bala sharks if that is a species that you like. Your 110g tank will be fine for two of them with a few other fish as well.

~ kate

skaffen

Well, here's the new tank. So far I've just transferred the plants from the old tank, and planted some Java ferns on the wood. Oh, and a few mini swords on the front left. I'm slowly planning how I want to plant it and talking lots with the LFS - who have been awesome with suggestions and help. I've some Amazon swords on order that I'll plant in the centre back behind the central log.

Black shark loves the rock pile and the hollows under the central log. The barbs are really hard case, zipping along with their little tails going flat out. Still thinking about my bala, but he's happy enough for now.

I took the red spot pleco back. I watched a couple of large ones at my LFS - I find them quite monstrous - slow and kind of nasty... They have beautiful skin patterns, but they creep me out for some reason - weird. No offence to you big pleco owners, just MHO!

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primerowan

I love the wood you are using - especially that big piece over on the left. The tank looks fabulous!

Blub