My tank build that is an ongoing saga

Well this has been going on for almost 2 months now, I originally started this tank as an African cichlid tank ,then I decided to go with South American Rams because everything I read says they are a peaceful fish and can work well in a mixed tank.I also decided I didn't want to purchase another HOB filter because I was told I didn't have enough filtration sooooo here I am,I added a sponge filter that says it's good for a 125 gallon tank to go along with my HOB because it was cheap and I hear good things about them.I had cycled this tank with 6 corys and 7 tiger barbs which I returned today because they are buttholes and I didn't like how they were treating my corys.
But I'm stuck and I just have hit a wall I can't decide what to do I'll list my two tank options and maybe you all can chime in??
#1 African cichlids unknown quantity at this time yellow labs and demonsI ,of course I would return the corys if I did this

#2
5 corys
7 Cardinal neons
8 South American Rams
2 South American puffers (not salt,not brackish but true freshwater species) the ones at my LFS I'm told will max out approximately 3"
I have read about the puffers and understand the need for snails to help with the beaks and have also familiarized myself with the process of trimming the beaks myself if need be
All of these numbers I'm not stuck to they are just what popped into my head and I am fine with less or more

I will be adding additional artificial vegetation this week

Tank
60 gallon
Aqueon 55/75
Hydro sponge V filter
10" bubble bar
Pool filter sand substrate
Decent sized river slicks for my rock
Aquatop 300w submersible heater

Well I have been doing some reading on temperatures and it looks like everything in my #2 tank set up overlaps and would be ok although I did read the puffers will likely nip at the corys so unfortunately I may need to return the Corys either way which sucks because I do like them a lot and I like the fact that they rummage in the sand but I don't wanna budge on the puffers or Rams if I end up going with option 2

 

Well puffers will go after all of your other fish. Why did you return the other cories if you are just getting some more?

 

From my readings if you really want SAPs then id go with 4 or 5 with a nice size school of fast swimmers. Giant danios seem to outswI'm my fahaka. SAPs are nippy and will go after other fish, I would expect some injured fish.
MJDutI puffer enthusiasts
TexasDomer aFISHeanado. Lol couldnt resist.

 

I returned the barbs and kept the corys ,I guess I didn't really do a very good job of explaining myself on that. I had read they can be nippy fish that will go after slow moving or long finned fish ,I guess I may need to reconsider them



Thanks so much for the info,I guess I'll mark them off my list until I get a larger tank and I'll make the 60 gallon a puffer tank

 

Thanks so much for the info,I guess I'll mark them off my list until I get a larger tank and I'll make the 60 gallon a puffer tank

You want a puffer tank? Wow never heard anyone choose that over other community fish.

 

I really enjoy watching the puffers

 

I really enjoy watching the puffers

So for snails get a population of pest snails in the tank before you get the puffers, so they can't pick them off right before they start producing

 

I've been trying to investigate the whole snail feeding deal and was wondering about which ones,thanks!

 

I've been trying to investigate the whole snail feeding deal and was wondering about which ones,thanks!

The perfect ones would be pond snails! They are usually attached to live plants. You can also request some. They will give them to you for free. I would start with 5. Within a month your tank will be filled. If you want to speed the process up get 10-20.

 

The perfect ones would be pond snails! They are usually attached to live plants. You can also request some. They will give them to you for free. I would start with 5. Within a month your tank will be filled. If you want to speed the process up get 10-20.

So would the puffers be able to keep up with the reproduction of the snails or would I have a mess on my hands quickly?

 

They would keep the population in check. You can also feed puffers other things as well. If there is snails in the tank with puffer they will be eaten, so you don't even have to feed them. But it would be nice to feed them a vary of things

 

Thanks for that info I appreciate it!

 

Thanks for that info I appreciate it!

Your very welcome! Keep me updated!!! Also do you know what else to feed puffers?

 

You want a puffer tank? Wow never heard anyone choose that over other community fish.

I choose puffer. I have a 150 entirely designated for my fahaka.

As for feeding puffers thrive on variety but from my research you need to keep a main diet of snails to break down the beak. But I have a feeling that trimming will be a once or twice a year deal.

 

Puffers! SAPs are unique in that they are usually in groups of their own company. Apparently they like flow too. I've personally never owned them, but would like to if I had the time. The downside is they have the fastest growing teeth out of the various species. I would start a separate tank just for snails, and go ramshorns. While pond/bladder snails are fine, they are very small (usually). Most fish stores want to just get rid of them for free, so IMO just pick some up whenever you go and just drop them in your tank. No need to QT them. Ramhorns get a little bigger so will give your puffers a big more crunch. Don't mix species. I've found that breeding one species, vs two, they tend to reproduce more and the population lasts longer.

Also look for live black worms, frozen krill, bloodworms, mysis shrimp, and even live bring shrimp as a snack once in awhile (gives them something to chase). Over filter, over decorate, and have fun!

**Also, ghost shrimp are cheap and a good means of testing their aggression levels. Worse case scenario, your puffers get a nice treat. Best case scenario, they stay alive and help clean up after your messy fish. Sometimes nerite snails work because they barely stick out of their shell, but can sometimes flip over, then it'd be game over though.

 

Thanks everyone for all the advice!I was able to pick up my Rams today I purchased 3 Bolivian(all that they had) for $5 each and 4German Blue Rams for $6 each I really really like them ,I will look at getting the puffers next week when the LFS gets some

 

Nice rams. I'm quite jealous. Bolivians cost $16 to $36 here and blue rams are $36 + NZD is very similar to AUD if that helps.

 

Wow that's a big difference! So far everyone seems healthy and doing great,the Bolivians are kinda jerks to the blue Rams so I'm gonna watch them for a few more days and then may decide to just exchange the Bolivians for more GBR

 

Fair enough. Do give them a good chance to claim territory and settle in though. I liken it to finding your pecking order lol.

 

Thanks for that advice because I was quick to panic , the behavior seems to shift back and forth,when I get home from work they are best buds lol all mixed together no aggression at all it seems to be getting better day by day

 

Well here's where I'm at ,no puffers ,everyone gets along great it seems GBR,Bolivian,boesemanI rainbow,corys and neons .....also an oddball guppy that snuck in when I bought my neons and was very small but still managed to be pregnant lol so I have these two baby guppies hanging out in there to for now

 

Looking good. My Bolivians are already breeding. Got the girl about 4 weeks ago.