pepetj

Have you experienced thoughts of doubt while feeling Ok about pushing limits in fishkeeping? Most decisions I have made are quite easy (like: keeping Iridiscent Sharks? not in any tank, but later, whenever I can build a dream huge-size pond; or American of African Cichlids? Both, in different tanks!)

Besides your feedback on Option 1 or 2 (see above) I would appreciate your comment about this mixed state of thoughts and emotions.

Reality Check: Ok, so I have something going about Red-Salmon Rainbowfish and Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish. Keeping them means walking an extra-mile (in terms of financial costs and level of care) but I am willing to do it. However I keep asking myself if I'm pushing too far, loosing my common sense here, or not but I don't feel as it, just think I might be.

Background and Problems: I dropped the idea of my "Discus Breeding Project" due to expected complications in care and cost implications I honestly felt I was not able to cope with, at least not in the short term. After doing research for Red-Salmon Rainbowfish, mistaken info about their natural water temperature range (published range: 29-32C) lead me to loose four out of seven. I ended up setting their tank temperature to 29C and they need a maximum temp of 26C.

Solutions: Thanks to the feedback in fishlore (Kate) I have been able to save the remaining three (with the frozen drinking water bottles method) and engaged in researching for purchase and instalation of a chiller unit. I allready placed a pre-order for 6 Red-Salmon Rainbowfish -from Puerto Rico- and 10 Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish -from Thailand (the latter do well at 29C), will confirm it in a week or so. ETA 2 weeks to 1 month.

Actual Rainbowfish Tank is a 40gal, although I aim for a 5footer, 70 to 90gal tank for them, within a year from now (if I can be that patient), as they grow up. I intend to keep mid-size schools of both species in the same tank, and set up two smaller species-only breeding tanks)

Decision: So far I might have two options for lowering the temp or I will have to give up the idea of keeping these wonderful beings (I am willing to if I cannot provide propper care to them)

1) a mini-chiller (175W/600BTU, 1/15HP) that could be easily (that's what they say) installed with a powerhead or small external waterpump, or
2) an in-line chiller (300-500W/1000-1750BTU, 1/10-1/4HP) that must be installed with a wet/dry or sump filter via external waterpump.

Option 1 relies on availability from a LFS cargo that has been in customs for more than a month now. They think they have a few units in that order, but cannot assure one will be available for me. I would say a short term cost-effective choice (roughly 350USD) but only useful for up to 60gal tank, pushing the limits.

Option 2 is allready at hand, but is way expensive although within limits of what's affordable for me. I would need to purchase a wet/dry filter designed for 75gal tank; a waterpump (external), and the in-line chiller (roughly 800USD).

Keep in mind I live in Santo Domingo, where equipment is more expensive, and some supplies (compressors included) cannot be ordered by air-mail, so I need to rely on the shipment made by LFSs.

Have you had doubts like that? Even when feeling OK about going after it?

Pepe
Santo Domingo

MrsM3197

Hi Pepe,
The answer is yes, although a much smaller financial scale. I'm thinking that first you need to consider the amount of money it will take to be able to keep the Rainbows. Not just the initial set up, but maintance thereafter. If that isn't a hardship, consider if it will likely become a hardship in the future. Then think about if you are truly willing to give these fish the environment they need for optimum care. If you are willing and able to meet their need, go for it. There is no pricetag on happiness. As far as option 1 or 2, that equipment is beyond me right now. I wouldn't have a clue.

MrsM3197

Pepe,
I've been following news about tropical storm Fay. Praying you and your family are well.

platy ben

I had a choice to make that was hard to choose and i made the wrong decision . I had to decide wether to have convict cichlids or not

I chose to have them, now i cant keep many other fish in the tank, and deifnitly not small fish. And they have some fry + none of my LFS wil ltake them off me, so i dont know what to do with them all

Allie

Unfortunetly~ Most people give em away around here. They are just too common and breed much to easy and add their aggression level to that. They aren't big sale items. The majority of fish keepers want fish that get along with other fish.

Barbrella

Personally, I feel it really depends on what level you want to get involved by way of time and money you wish to expend.

For many people, fishkeeping is a passion and they're happy to spend huge amounts of money on equipment and fish, and many hours each day doing maintenence. They'll move on to more challenging species to keep and breed.

I"ve had and bred many species from guppies to Uarus and everything in between but at this point in time (for now!) I just want "easy" and beautiful tanks of peaceful, hardy fish to enjoy with the minimum upkeep. And that's what I have! When it becomes a chore, then you have too many.

As long as you can afford to provide the fish with what they need and enjoying caring for them, there really are no limits, IMO.