Intro's myself

by Yeti Thu 03 Feb 2011, 3:00 am

Hi
Well I found your site last night and joined, and have battled with saying anything or not after seeing the standard of tanks here.
Now don't laugh to loudly, but I have only a 25G Eclipse tank, FW naturally.
A few years ago I had a nicely established cichlid tank going, but had to go back to the UK for 18 months, and returned to find the carer had managed to decimate everything, and the water. So I started again, with feeder fish, to get things going, and then added 7 mixed cichlids (And when I say mixed, I mean mixed genetics too it seems) to see if I could still keep cichlids. I am a big cichlid fan, as I love their attitude & therefore activity level.
Well the tank thrived, they have all grown and survived. I added 1 Peacock from the place in Tyler that disappeared over night, and so did the Peacock.
Being cheap, and broke, I have used 3 black coffee hexagonal mugs that helped to create caves, but am about to go and build with some rocks a cave wall, hopefully.
The fish:
Yellow Labs 2
Yellow Lab with some black markings (and eternally small) 1
Blue's 3
Fish that look like Krebensis but one is a mix of dark brown and yellow, the other changes colours dependant upon its mood.
One small Plec (small variety, very shy)
As I said, mixed parentage.
However, they are all about 2 years old, bought when they were all less than an inch long.
I know I need a bigger tank, and when I can afford, I would love a 48 inch long tank, but for the time being...

A question for you, I would like to change to sand, from gravel. Is this a big no - no? Am I just adding a lot of work for no benefit?
Also, when I do the big change of setting, is it better to bucket the fish, or keep them in the tank?

I've kept fish for years on and off, these guys, even if a mix of pure (Possibly) bred & the unknown parentage, seem happy, well they are still alive and healthy.

by matt_longview Thu 03 Feb 2011, 4:58 am

Welcome to the forums. I'm glad you posted! Don't be intimidated by others tanks. The important thing with fish keeping is having good water quality and compatable fish and equipment. If you have those two things the only differences between your tank and the greatest tank in the world is personal taste and budget! Sounds like you have a dream that your wallet can't afford.....just like everyone else on the forum!!! Lol

by shhh Thu 03 Feb 2011, 6:22 am

I liked the look of sand vs. gravel.
And thats all i had when we had cory cats.
If you do go with sand. rinse the crap out if it.
I dumped it into a 5gal bucket and put in a water hose.

Move the hose around to get all the powder and dust in the sand floating.
And pour it out and keep the heavy sand.
Kept doing so till the water would clear in a few seconds.
Then used a scoop and placed it in the tank.