Starting again after a break

[GlennO]

Hi everyone. Nearly a year ago I was forced to empty my tanks due to a health issue that landed me in hospital. I'm getting back on my feet now and want to restart my main 64g tank. This time I'm aiming for a low maintenance tank with inexpensive hardy colourful fish. I won't be reconnecting my CO2 gear. I'm considering a school of tiger barbs and a redtail shark. I'll just plant Val around the back and sides. Substrate will be fine (1-3mm) gravel.
What do you think? Any other suggestions for a setup?

 

[ruud]

Some large leaf crypts, like usteriana, to contrast the valls?

 

[GlennO]

Some large leaf crypts, like usteriana, to contrast the valls?

Thanks. Good idea.

 

[TClare]

Hi GlennO, its good to see you back!

 

[GlennO]

Hi GlennO, its good to see you back!

Thanks TClare. I'm excited to be back and thinking about the hobby again. I see that you have VIP status now. Very impressive!

 

[GlennO]

I set the tank up today. Fishless cycling. Day 1. I'll get some plants next week.

 

[dcutl002]

Good to see you back on your feet! Yeah, as I get older and lazier, I have started liking low maintenance a lot more!

 

[GlennO]

Well the tank is cycled and stocked. Slightly different stock than I originally planned, but I think it's interesting and there's plenty of movement:

- 7 Odessa Barbs
- 7 Scissortail Rasboras
- 2 T-Bar Cichlids
- 1 BN

Looking forward to watching them grow and colour up.

 

[TClare]

Ha - I thought it was strange that you were not going to have any cichlids!

 

[GlennO]

Ha - I thought it was strange that you were not going to have any cichlids!

I couldn't help it, they are so cute!

 

[bgarthe]

Glad you’re back. Nice looking tank…..you’re sure to enjoy it.

 

[GlennO]

Just 17 days later and there has been a bit of growth and slight touches of colour to this guy that is pictured above. Still very small though, about 3.5 to 4cm. The other one is even smaller.

 

[GlennO]

Plants and fish continue to slowly grow.


Dropping in an algae wafer starts a brawl between the T-Bars, Odessa's and BN. The Scissortails keep out of it.

 

[86 ssinit]

Nice tank and good to see your back!

 

[GlennO]

Monthly update:

My wife doesn't really share my interest in the hobby but when we were in the LFS recently she saw a platinum angelfish and she said it was pretty so I thought it would be a good idea to get it! Gotta keep the Mrs onside.

So far it's doing well, in fact it is currently the boss of the tank. I also got a nice healthy looking male firemouth. He's very plainly coloured but I'm hoping he colours up over time. So currently the stocking is:

7 Scissortail Rasboras
5 Odessa Barbs
2 T-Bar Cichlids
1 Angelfish
1 Firemouth Cichlid
1 BN

I'm considering adding a blue acara and maybe one other smallish cichlid but I haven't made up my mind yet. If I do that it might end up being a cichlid only tank and eventually the rasboras and/or barbs will have to be rehomed to ensure that it's not overstocked.

 

[86 ssinit]

Nice fish. But the fire mouth,angel and probably the t-bars may look at the scissortais as food. They tend to stay at the top of the tank. Easy targets to the cichlids.

 

[GlennO]

Nice fish. But the fire mouth,angel and probably the t-bars may look at the scissortais as food. They tend to stay at the top of the tank. Easy targets to the cichlids.

It’s possible I guess, especially the smaller ones. A couple of them are already over 3 inches. They’ll likely be rehomed when the cichlids are bigger. For now they are the most visible fish in the tank along with the angel.

 

[TClare]

If over 3” I doubt they will become food for cichlids even when the cichlids are full grown. I’d be more concerned about how the cichlids will get on together as they mature, hopefully they’ll be fine, with cichlids you never know!

 

[Jguy]

This looks like a cool tank! One thing to look out for (eventually - months away yet) is the t-bars will dig and possibly uproot some plants once they mature. When I kept t-bars, I'd wake up some mornings to huge craters in my tank!

 

[AquariumGeek]

Tank and fish look amazing

 

[GlennO]

Just an updated tank pic.

 

[GlennO]

Time for an update. There have been some stock changes over time. Currently I have:

1 Angelfish
1 T-Bar Cichlid
1 Firemouth Cichlid
4 Odessa Barbs
2 BN’s
1 pair Gold Neon Swordtails

I tried to add a Blue Acara but it didn’t work out. I don’t think I’ll try to add any more cichlids. The 3 I have get on reasonably peacefully and I don’t want to upset the pecking order. Speaking of which, it’s rather weird:

- The angelfish is dominant over the T-Bar
- The T-Bar is dominant over the firemouth
- The firemouth is dominant over the angelfish!

In any case, there’s no serious aggression to date.

 

[GlennO]

G'day, it's been a while but nothing much has changed. Except they all continue to grow. I think that the Odessa's might be nearly full sized now.

 

[Fishfur]

G'day, it's been a while but nothing much has changed. Except they all continue to grow. I think that the Odessa's might be nearly full sized now.

Beautiful tank & fish - Odessa’s are pretty stunning.

 

[GlennO]

Beautiful tank & fish - Odessa’s are pretty stunning.

Thanks, yes they have amazing colour and patterns. Very boisterous though. Yet I often see them recommended for peaceful community tanks.

 

[86 ssinit]

Yes when things are going good and your not adding things and have your routine everything seems to go well! Tank and fish look great!

 

[GlennO]

I noticed it's almost a year since the last update. Not much has changed. Had to rehome the Firemouth. Him and the T-Bar started fighting too much. Lost one Odessa Barb, the males are quite hard on each other at times. The T-Bar has an insatiable appetite and has grown big and fat.