Filtration and lighting for threadfin rainbows?

wetrelief · 10-03-2012, 03:33 AM

I am starting up a low-tech planted tank for the first time. The tank is a 40g breeder (36x18x17" tall). My plans for the tank are to feature threadfin rainbowfish in a heavily planted tank. I have never kept these fish before so I am learning both about the fish requirements and the plant requirements. As far as filtration, I have read that threadfins come from swamps and backwaters with slow moving water, so I was wondering what would be a gph rate for a tank like this (i am planning on using a canister filter). The eheim 2217 is 264 gph (too high?) while the 2215 only has 164 (too low?). The concern I have is keeping a good oxygen level but not blowing the delicate fish all over the tank. Does any one have experience with these little guys?

Also, I am thinking about running cfl lighting over the tank. This lighting is new to me (I am used to saltwater lighting). What would be a good wattage to start with and how many bulbs (thinking 2-3) but more may be needed.

thanks

Diana · 10-03-2012, 02:08 PM

Go with the larger filter. Roughly 5 times the tank volume per hour is about the minimum that is enough water movement to assure good gas exchange.
Get the lighting to suit the plants. As the plants grow the fish will find the right areas, with just enough shade. Once you see where they like do not prune all the tank at one time. Keep some plants a bit larger when you prune one of their areas, then prune the others once the first plants have recovered a bit. Floating plants, or plants that grow tall will provide good areas for the Threadfins.

wetrelief · 10-03-2012, 05:36 PM

thanks for the tips. I was wanting to go with the bigger one but again.....I just didn't want it to be too much. thanks again for the help.

10-03-2012, 03:33 AM	#1
wetrelief Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NC Posts: 29	Filtration and lighting for threadfin rainbows? I am starting up a low-tech planted tank for the first time. The tank is a 40g breeder (36x18x17" tall). My plans for the tank are to feature threadfin rainbowfish in a heavily planted tank. I have never kept these fish before so I am learning both about the fish requirements and the plant requirements. As far as filtration, I have read that threadfins come from swamps and backwaters with slow moving water, so I was wondering what would be a gph rate for a tank like this (i am planning on using a canister filter). The eheim 2217 is 264 gph (too high?) while the 2215 only has 164 (too low?). The concern I have is keeping a good oxygen level but not blowing the delicate fish all over the tank. Does any one have experience with these little guys? Also, I am thinking about running cfl lighting over the tank. This lighting is new to me (I am used to saltwater lighting). What would be a good wattage to start with and how many bulbs (thinking 2-3) but more may be needed. thanks Last edited by wetrelief; 10-03-2012 at 03:34 AM.. Reason: edit

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10-03-2012, 02:08 PM	#2
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,015	Go with the larger filter. Roughly 5 times the tank volume per hour is about the minimum that is enough water movement to assure good gas exchange. Get the lighting to suit the plants. As the plants grow the fish will find the right areas, with just enough shade. Once you see where they like do not prune all the tank at one time. Keep some plants a bit larger when you prune one of their areas, then prune the others once the first plants have recovered a bit. Floating plants, or plants that grow tall will provide good areas for the Threadfins.

10-03-2012, 05:36 PM	#3
wetrelief Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NC Posts: 29	thanks for the tips. I was wanting to go with the bigger one but again.....I just didn't want it to be too much. thanks again for the help.