Well here it is on week 2 after setup.
Many things left to do like canopy and lighting, but the lights on there now are not doing all that bad. I am running my old lights from the 30gallon.
Its a 4' shop light with one T-8 5500k bulb powered by the original ballast (for 2 bulbs) and the other bulb (T-8 6500k) has a 3X ballast that I added to power the second bulb. Then in front of that , laying on them dang glass tops that I hate so much is the stock T-8 flourescent light strip that came with the tank, I just changed the bulb to a 8500k Flora-Sun bulb.
WEEK 2
I also was looking for some change with this tank and went with a blue background... I think the blue really freshens up the tank... of course it looks a little overpowering now but I think with a few months of growth and maturity of the plants it will be very nice looking.
Pay no mind to the equiptment, Im working on that also... I am definately going to add my other XP2 to the tank for filtration as there is only one on there now with just a small powerhead for circulation.
Other than the requisite school of 15 Harlequin Rasboras that EVERY planted tank should have? Hmmm, a fish that is not too aggressive, gets along with Angels, has some decent size.
Might be a bit small, but the best I could think of is a Dwarf Gourami. You could pick up healthy 2"-2.5" sized specimens at good fish stores that could top 3" in size.
Why not some Apisto's, but if you do...don't get the Rasboras, they're too quick and will eat the food before the Apisto's get a chance. Or how about 2 pairs of Rams..
I've always been tempted by Festivum's with Angels, but I've read too much about aggression and tearing up plants. Can you really put Festivum's in a planted tank? I hope so!
Well after never hearing of a festivum I googled up a couple of photos and quick info. The photos I saw reminded me of severums in a way and the info led me to believe that these guys get big...upwards of 5-6" :shock:
Am I looking at the right thing here ? Looks like a vegetarian to me... LOL
I am unsure of the whole cichlid family with my angels, would love to try some apisto's which I also have been looking at photos of but man... they are as mean looking as they are pretty... if thats possible ?
I really dont want any territorial crap going on in my tank, I been there done that and really dont want to go there again. LOL
I imagine some of the apisto's are better then others as is with all the cichlids, so which are the most "user friendly" with Angels ?
Also... How are Apisto's gonna get along with my shrimp ? :shock:
I do love the looks of them and they must be very entertaining to watch in the tank...
Severums are a definite no in a planted tank, but festivums are more of a mixed review. Of the reviews on Aqua Hobby, only one cites trouble with plants... "Very peaceful, very easy. Will not let most plants grow in the tank, though. Will eat chopped salad or dandillion leaves. One of my favourites. "
Most other reviews actually specify keeping them in heavily planted tanks. FishProfiles.com doesn't list the Festivum and Angel as compatible tankmates.
I'm still tempted to try them because they seem to have so much personality and grace. Buck, you wanna go first? hehe
There are some beautiful gourami's out there. I wonder if my angels would leave them alone enough to get established...gourami's are pretty shy and hard to acclimate arent they ? Right now my angels are at that frisky age and the 2 males are goin at it every 3 weeks or so when the female is loaded with eggs. :evil:
Unless I time the purchase (somehow) to get them during the angels halftime show when they are a bit more relaxed... or during the peak of the egg battles when they could care less whats going on around them for those 2-3 days... LOL
Its been a long while since I have bought any new fish, whatever "nemo" I put in the tank will likely cause a stir!
Gourami's are best in pairs or more ? Males / Females ? Does it matter ? Oh man... got some reading to do on them now too ! :roll:
Ok, allthough your angels are a bit passed the juvenile stage, I think a gourami stands a good chance defending itself... They are not half as timid as people would have you know...
If you like peace in your tank, I would go with one gourami male and one or a few females. Pearl Gouramies are pretty good sized too, not sure how they would get along with angels, but no risk of being eaten by them.
I keep gourami's and angels together, and there are only a few scuffles from time to time, nothing major though.
Now.. if you want something interesting.. how about adding 5-6 Croaking gourami's to that tank. They only get to about 2"-2.5" and they are hoot.
I have one in my 22 gallon tank in my living room and every time it gets quiet I hear that telltale "chiiirip chiiirip chiiirip" as he croaks for his reflection.
Festivum cichlids look real nice and in the wild they live with angels, i read it in a Dr axelrod book and in clips of the aquatic life in the amazons, they are always together.
I love Paradise Fish but mine had to be removed from the Angel tank because he could inflict some serious damage to the scales on the Angel's sides. He's got a hard little mouth, like a Betta, but stronger, that can bite harder than you think! I've felt it on my arm while reaching into his tank.
Festivum cichlids look real nice and in the wild they live with angels, i read it in a Dr axelrod book and in clips of the aquatic life in the amazons, they are always together.
I have 3 Festivums and they are a bit aggressive for Angels, they are mates at the present, but I dont like what I see at times, although they are very beautiful fish, they share the tank with my Rams and Angels. they do tend to dart out of the bush at thier tank mates.
The Festivums do not seem to bother the rams at all nor do they bother the flag fish, plecos, or my clown loach, they only seem to be somewhat aggresive with the Angels, and above all each other.
my rams are always just bubbly (is that a word?) laying eggs all the time.
By the way.. buck your tanks look outstanding buddy, I have been lurking around awhile and your work gave me inspiration, just thought I would tell you that, I have read and been to your site alot.
Thanks for sharing your aquatic life bro.
If I could talk my wife into it I would have (PL-RDX-41) Formosa Deluxe 48" (260 watts) for lighting but that would be the day I spent that on lights... $ 290 over at AB :wink:
Thats a sweet setup !
As for fish I have some mixed feelings about the festivum's so I will let you brave lad's let me know how they do...
Gourami's I dont think have a high enough activity level for what I want... they are kind of a lazy fish in the realm of things. LOL
I am leaning towards the Apisto's for the colors and the antics I am sure they perform... does anyone keep shrimp with them ? It seems the Apisto's would be bottom to mid dwelling where the shrimps like to hang out and well I wouldnt want to see them pick apart my amano's. :shock:
Hey thanks for the kind words Craig, they always nice to here !
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