Suggestions for tank setups

[raecarrow]

Hello Everyone!

I just got two 30 gallon long tanks with a base size of 36" by 12". The only thing I have for them right now is lights. So the rest is a blank slate.

Here is what I want to put into these tanks

Tank one:
Guppies
Dwarf Oto Cats
Black Kuhlies (and maybe one other type of kuhli loaches)

Tank Two:
Zebra loaches
Yoyo Loaches
Bengal loaches
Dwarf Oto Cats

I am open to any suggestions as to substrate, decorations, filters, etc.

Have fun, let your imagination run wild.

Thanks in advance,
Rae

[raving_wayne]

sub defo sand in tank 2 much nice for the loaches and loads of rocks my loaches love the rocks and tubes

[raecarrow]

I was considering making a "loach hotel" by stacking tubes together. I'm trying to think of a way of doing this without it looking like construction yard underwater. I know right know I have a little faux-rock cave that has a front and back door and a little window. All my loaches love it and they sorta stack on top of each other in there.

[loachmom]

Hi Rae,

I keep my kuhlis in a 30 gallon long tank. I use pool filter sand substrate, lots of broken pieces of coconut shell with java fern attached for shelters, and several pieces of driftwood that I scavenged from local streams here in PA. For filtration, I use 3 corner box filters that are run with air pumps. It works out really nice. I don't use any carbon in the box filters, just 'pillow-stuffing' floss like you get in the craft section at Walmart and a 1/2" of gravel in the bottom of the filter for weight and biological filtration.

Hope you post pictures of your tanks when they are finished. Have fun!

[raecarrow]

Are corner box filters the same as Hang on back filters?

[Diana]

Too small for Yoyos.
Sids would provide some movement in the upper area, they tend to swim higher and more mid-water than many other Loaches.

Both fish groupings would work really well with live plants.

[loachmom]

No, I'll post a pic in a minute

[raecarrow]

Unfortunately I am not allowed to have any tanks that are larger then 40 gallons (although I'm allowed to have multiple smaller tanks, weird) and I'm not sure if i can find a tank that is longer then 3ft but 40 gallons or less. I also already have a yoyo (i know i need buddies for him but didn't know it when i bought him, same goes for my zebra).

What do you mean by Sids? I'm not familiar with those.

[loachmom]

Here's a pic of a corner box filter. They cost around $3. Then you need an air pump to for it. They are great for fish that don't require a lot of flow.

Here's the whole tank. It's kind of wild looking, but I like it.

[raecarrow]

So that would be a good filter for my guppies and Kuhlies?

I know my botias need more water flow.

[loachmom]

Sids are Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki.


http://www.loaches.com/species-index/ya ... idthimunki

[loachmom]

So that would be a good filter for my guppies and Kuhlies?

I know my botias need more water flow.

I think they would be fine for guppies and kuhlis.

[Diana]

A simple sponge filter would work fine, and I think would be better than the little box filter for a tank of about this size. I have used the box filters, and they fill up fast, even on a 10 gallon tank.

[loachmom]

A simple sponge filter would work fine, and I think would be better than the little box filter for a tank of about this size. I have used the box filters, and they fill up fast, even on a 10 gallon tank.

I keep a sponge filter as the only filter in my QT, and the water is always crystal clear. They are great filters.

The media in the box filters does gunk up quickly. I replace it about every two weeks.

[raecarrow]

Thanks for the advice on my guppy/kuhli tank.

Does anyone have any advice on my Botia tank? I know they need a faster current right?