First dive into a 6 foot tank!

Tank dimensions are 6'x18x24.
Bought it off fb marketplace for 400. It came with 2 fluval 306s with a large pvc spray bar for the output, 200lbs of sand, rocks, heaters and a separate 30 or 40 gallon tank. Need to check the dimensions.
Here is the tank now



Going to remove the black background to see through both sides for a reason to be revealed later. Also came with lights and a lid.

Going to be looking for advice on stocking and possible plant suggestions.

Scape is going to be three separate islands with wood, stone and plants(loads of em.) I'll be looking for suggestions there as well.

My current stock plan is my current apisto hongsloi male, black skirt tetra, rummynose tetra and blue tetra and thinking of eventually adding some whiptail catfish. The apisto and tetra are guaranteed going in but, I'm open to suggestions on numbers and anything else i may want to consider adding.
Again, there will be plenty of wood, caves and hiding places with plants and such so no worries there.

Let me know what you guys think.

 

Very nice, I am sure you and your fish will appreciate the big tank! So many possibilities, but if were you I would stick with the South American theme. Anything you have in mind already?

 

will

Very nice, I am sure you and your fish will appreciate the big tank! So many possibilities, but if were you I would stick with the South American theme. Anything you have in mind already?

Definitely okay with all south American.
Won't be adding anything from asia or africa in this tank. I'm looking to maximize activity with the tetras mentioned above with some other type of fish for the top if possible. The apistogramma hongsloi male will be going in as well. Any suggestions for anything else to add that would add interest to the top and bottom? I'm open to anything at this point as i need to get more hardscape and let my plants from my other tanks grow in a bit. I plan to have areas of dense rocks, wood and plants with some open swimming space in between each island. Going to pack it with as many plants as i can.

 

Congrats, I'd love to have a tank that big if my family would agree to get rid of some furniture.

 

Welcome to the 6 foot club !

 

For the top I recommend pencilfish - any species. Beckford's are usually cheap and available and very nice. N. mortenthaleri are much more showy but also more expensive. N. eques is very interesting if you can get them. A Copella species would be another possibility.

For the bottom as you have only one Apistogramma, you could get a large group of Corydoras, OR some sightly larger, relatively peaceful cichlids such as Laetacara or even Biotodoma. Even better keyhole cichlids, they are very peaceful, won’t eat small fish, and liek to live in groups. You could consider some angelfish, but only if you get them very small and have the small fish established first. but I would go with the keyholes. Add some Otocinclus when the tank is well established. I don't know how many tetras you already have, but you may want to increase their numbers for the big tank. These are just initial quick thoughts for now, there are other possibilities of course...

 

I can never pass up cardinal tetras for a South American themed planted tank. I know you already have some other tetras, but I'd add them anyway.

Otos and Amano shrimp are an excellent algae control team, so I'd recommend those too.

For South American plants, Echinodorus varieties, S. repens, and Alternanthera reineckii are some of my favorites.

 

Nice looking tank and good luck with it. You’re looking at 125-150g of water. Looks like it was used as a salt water tank? How long has it been empty? Best bet is to full that tank up outside or in a garage that drains to the outside. It’s a lot of water so you want to make sure the tank is good.

For filtration I’d look into sump filters and use that extra tank as your sump filter. With the right pump it will move more water than the 2 canisters. With a dc pump it will be cheaper to run.

Lots of great fish already mentioned. I’d add bosemani rainbows to the list and hillstream loaches. The loaches do seem to be good algae eaters and interesting looking fish. 4-6 would be good in that tank.

The light that came with it is it a fluorescent type or led? If going with plants lighting is important.

 

I can't add any suggestions, too much of a noob, but I want to follow along to live vicariously through you. Such a great tank!

 

I’d add bosemani rainbows to the list and hillstream loaches. The loaches do seem to be good algae eaters and interesting looking fish.

Not South American though...

 

watching... I would consider this idea...
5-6 angelfish
20-30 of 2 different tetra specices
1-2 pairs of different apistogramma
and a massive school of cories!

 

Thats the size tank I want. I keep Mbuna cichlids. That tank is perfect for them. I would consider cichlids.

 

watching... I would consider this idea...
5-6 angelfish
20-30 of 2 different tetra specices
1-2 pairs of different apistogramma
and a massive school of cories!

If you have pairs of Apistogrammas that may end up breeding you don't want Cories, they can get hurt by aggressive Apistogrammas defending their eggs and fry. Also Apistogrammas are very small for such a long tank, they end up not being seen very often if the tank is well planted. Even in a big tank Apistogramma are often very aggressive with each other and may chase relentlessly. I have two Apistos in a large planted tank, one is more dominant and will chase the other as soon as it sees it. Not too much a problem as there is plenty of space to get away, but not ideal. A single male Apistogramma with Cories is not a problem. Otherwise a good combination of species. With angelfish a group can work out or not, you have to have a plan B. With keyhole cichlids instead all would be more peaceful!

 

Probably won't go with the corydoras tbh,i have a bunch in my 50 gallon all ready, going to add more to that tank after i move the bst and blue tetra. As far as stock numbers for the tetra go, how does 20-30 bst
20-30 rummynose
And 15-20 blue?

If i don't go with corydoras, would 2-4 bristlenose or whiptails do fine? Keyhole ciclids are one I've been looking at. Was originally looking at electric blue acara but i think the smaller tetra will fall prey to those big mouths. I've got 3 angelfish in my 75 gallon right now so won't be adding them. Another apisto isn't completely out of the question either.

 

Definitely post pics when you get to that point. Tetras in those numbers will look amazing!

 

would 2-4 bristlenose or whiptails do fine?

Yes, I actually prefer the whiptails, they are much more active during the day and more visible than plecos in my experience.

i think the smaller tetra will fall prey to those big mouths.

Yes, the blue tetras especially would definitely be at risk.

As for numbers of tetras, I would probably have fewer of the bst and more of the the smaller ones, especially the blue tetras that might get lost in a smaller group. I would definitely consider pencilfish for the top as well. There would easily be room for another Apistogramma, though you can expect some aggression.

 

Yes, I actually prefer the whiptails, they are much more active during the day and more visible than plecos in my experience.

Yes, the blue tetras especially would definitely be at risk.

As for numbers of tetras, I would probably have fewer of the bst and more of the the smaller ones, especially the blue tetras that might get lost in a smaller group. I would definitely consider pencilfish for the top as well. There would easily be room for another Apistogramma, though you can expect some aggression.

I'll switch the number of bst with the blues. So it would probably be around 15-20 bst and 20-30 blue and rummynose.
How many whiptails do you think would work?
Also, i like the pencil fish but, would hatchet fish do fine? It's got a good lid so jumping isn't a worry and i really like the marble ones.

Definitely post pics when you get to that point. Tetras in those numbers will look amazing!

Definitely will. It's going to be a while before anything goes in there but i plan to post my progress on here until it's done. Then I'll probably start a journal on here for it.

 

Yes hatchetfish should be good, make sure you have some floating plants. And those tetras numbers sound fine. How many whiptails? I am not sure, I have 4 in quite a small tank (measures 80 x 45 x 50 cm, (about 32 x 18 x 19.6"). They only occasionally squabble over food but nothing serious. You could have at least 8 I suppose, but its not necessary to have a large group as they are not particularly social - sometimes they are on and under the leaf litter and push it around, they have uprooted just some very small hygrophila plants that I recently planted, but established plants are left alone. Sometimes they hang vertically on the branches. Or have just a few and a pleco as well? But I have plecos in my two big tanks and only rarely see them.

 

I've had blue tetras with angelfish before and the angels never touched them, even at quite a large size. But be careful, they are very good at jumping, even very high.

 

Looks a bit shallow for diving.





Anyway, if you’re going to be doing islands, why not mudskippers and fiddler crabs? Long tanks have so much potential.

 

Yes hatchetfish should be good, make sure you have some floating plants. And those tetras numbers sound fine. How many whiptails? I am not sure, I have 4 in quite a small tank (measures 80 x 45 x 50 cm, (about 32 x 18 x 19.6"). They only occasionally squabble over food but nothing serious. You could have at least 8 I suppose, but its not necessary to have a large group as they are not particularly social - sometimes they are on and under the leaf litter and push it around, they have uprooted just some very small hygrophila plants that I recently planted, but established plants are left alone. Sometimes they hang vertically on the branches. Or have just a few and a pleco as well? But I have plecos in my two big tanks and only rarely see them.

I have more duckweed and water lettuce than one ought to admit....lol so no problems there. Going to do my best to keep the duckweed out lol. I'll probably go with the hatchet fish. I might go with this

15 hatchet fish
15-20 bst
20-30 rummynose and blue tetra
5-6 whiptails
1 or 2 male apistogramma?
And if i put in Keyhole cichlids, how many should i add if any at all?

Looks a bit shallow for diving.
Anyway, if you’re going to be doing islands, why not mudskippers and fiddler crabs? Long tanks have so much potential.

Lol i see what you did there.

Not really looking for invertebrates but that gives me another idea involving a team of bamboo shrimp dancing in the current sounds like it would look cool. But i might save that for later.

 

That seems good. I would definitely get 5 or 6 keyhole cichlids.

 

That seems good. I would definitely get 5 or 6 keyhole cichlids.

Thanks for your help. Ill be posting more soon. The plan is to remove the background paint to make it visible from both sides as it's going to be used as a dividing wall so scaping this should be interesting.

Nice looking tank and good luck with it. You’re looking at 125-150g of water. Looks like it was used as a salt water tank? How long has it been empty? Best bet is to full that tank up outside or in a garage that drains to the outside. It’s a lot of water so you want to make sure the tank is good.

For filtration I’d look into sump filters and use that extra tank as your sump filter. With the right pump it will move more water than the 2 canisters. With a dc pump it will be cheaper to run.

Lots of great fish already mentioned. I’d add bosemani rainbows to the list and hillstream loaches. The loaches do seem to be good algae eaters and interesting looking fish. 4-6 would be good in that tank.

The light that came with it is it a fluorescent type or led? If going with plants lighting is important.

Lighting right now is fluorescent but im switching to leds eventually. The tank it self has a heavy wood frame around very thick glass. Getting it where it is was a struggle so im probably going fill It where it is. I'm fully prepared to handle any problems with leaks though. I've got plans for filtration down the line. Probably going to use the cannisters for now. It has two WaveMakers i think that also came with it.

 

Lighting right now is fluorescent but im switching to leds eventually. The tank it self has a heavy wood frame around very thick glass. Getting it where it is was a struggle so im probably going fill It where it is. I'm fully prepared to handle any problems with leaks though. I've got plans for filtration down the line. Probably going to use the cannisters for now. It has two WaveMakers i think that also came with it.

I am using two canisters on my large (220 gallon) tank, with additional top filters at the back that the water enters before returning to the tank. Tank is not heavily stocked but some of the fish are quite large. I always have low nitrates (water lettuce helps a lot!). You should be fine with your smaller fish. But definitely worth switching to LED lights (I use ordinary floodlights in my tanks, they work fine for plants).

 

Finally had time to fill it up. It's holding water really well. Can't wait to start scaping this thing. Next step is to clean it out, scrape the paint off the back then then, the fun stuff.

 

Did you settle on the stocking ?

I just read the entire thread and the only thing I’ve got to offer is go for pencil fish over the bst.. so much more fun to watch, the swimming style and personality shines compared to the static floating . 1 apisto male and see how he goes. Any type in mind ?

what a fun size tank to scape !

 

Looks good! Now leave it full till you’re ready to get it ready. Are you saying it’s got a wood frame surrounding the tank or it’s sitting on a wood framed stand? What type of paint is on it? Oil or water based? Could be hard to remove.

 

Did you settle on the stocking ?

I just read the entire thread and the only thing I’ve got to offer is go for pencil fish over the bst.. so much more fun to watch, the swimming style and personality shines compared to the static floating . 1 apisto male and see how he goes. Any type in mind ?

what a fun size tank to scape !

I've got bst in a tank that i want to move out to use to breed swordtails and plecos so I'm kind of settled on them.
Thank you though!

Looks good! Now leave it full till you’re ready to get it ready. Are you saying it’s got a wood frame surrounding the tank or it’s sitting on a wood framed stand? What type of paint is on it? Oil or water based? Could be hard to remove.

Wood frame surrounding the tank and a wood stand. Not sure on the paint. It was on it when i bought it and there was a slight language barrier between me and the seller. I've been looking into various ways of getting it done though.

 

Ok I’ve never seen a tank that big with a wood frame. I’ve owned some VERY old tanks. Thing with old tanks is being old the silicone isn’t as good as when new. These old tanks are known to leak. I’ve had 30+ yr old tanks with plastic sealed frames around them with cross members keeping the glass from bowing and older ones with glass cross members. Does this tank have cross members?

 

Ok I’ve never seen a tank that big with a wood frame. I’ve owned some VERY old tanks. Thing with old tanks is being old the silicone isn’t as good as when new. These old tanks are known to leak. I’ve had 30+ yr old tanks with plastic sealed frames around them with cross members keeping the glass from bowing and older ones with glass cross members. Does this tank have cross members?

It has 2 cross members and honestly, this guy had it set up recently. It's really solid, glass seems to be about 1/2" thick. maybe a little less but, it's very thick. Silicone still looks incredibly thick as well. The whole thing seems like it might have been custom made tbh. I still have it filled up and it looks good as of now.

 

It could well be a homemade tank, our big tanks have wood frames. I was also wondering how easy the paint will be to get off. Good luck!

 

It's been a bit since I've had the time to post anything on here. I've had a bit of a lifestyle change that has been limiting my ability to work on anything for a while.
Anyway, due to this, the stocking of this tank has changed, the tetra are still going in, as well as the apisto but I need to reduce the tanks i have and as such, need to move fish into this tank from others. Can't give exact numbers but, in addition to the tetra and apisto there will be swordtails, corydoras, 2 male bristlenose, 2 honey gourami and 3 pearl gourami (probably going to try to trade in the gourami for something else) and nothing else for now until I figure out a few things...and make more money for the hobby.

The good news is, the paint came off for the most part, just needs a little more cleaning up.



I'm going to be replacing some of these stones with the lava and seiryu stone from my other tanks as well as using the plants. I've got 3 different echinodorus, a ton of ludwigia repens, rotala coin leaf, hornwort, a good size java fern I've been growing for 4 years thats getting split up, dwarf sag. Pogostemon stellatus octopus, 1 huge dwarf tiger lotus(it'sa mess of lilly pads right now) with it's babies, some anubias and dwarf water lettuce. Lights will be the 2 fluval 3.0 in the picture on either side and the finnex 24/7 hlc on my 40 breeder until i get a 3rd 3.0. Heaters are coming out of the other tanks as well and going in here until i figure out a better solution. The filtration system the guy before me had set up isn't going to work out for the setup either so for now I'm using the canister off of my 50 gallon(well established filter) 2 large sponge filters on a 100 gallon air pump, 1 wave maker, and a 75 gallon hob. If this is overkill or not enough, let me know and I'll remove one of these or add.

 

The canister and HOB would probably be enough (depending on the size of the canister).

 

The canister and HOB would probably be enough (depending on the size of the canister).

The canister is for a 50 gallon tank.
The hob is a seachem tidal 75.

I might nix the wave maker and just add the sponges as they are well established with bb.

 

One more tank to move over.

 

All fish, plants, rocks, lights, heaters and filters have been moved into this monster. Going to add some more fish in a few weeks.