New tank plus loaches..

[KhuliKhilla]

picked up a rio 180 yesterday evening as its about time i got a slightly larger tank. got lots of extras with it plus 30 odd fish... includng two Clown Loaches, they are about 3-4 inches at the moment, look in great condition and have the most amzingly red colourd fins i have ever seen. im only going to hold on to them till tuesday when i can rehome them and the other fish i dont want at the lfs.



My baby..






and the growing histies plus identity crisis kuboti from the other tank...



lee

[Icewall42]

Very pretty, congrats! I just picked up my new used 72 gallon yesterday, and though it's not the biggest I've had, it should look nice. I'm rather incompetent at pictures, but I'll try and get them.

[Mark in Vancouver]

That looks like a good starting point. Nice big tank! What filtration are you running? Have you considered adding a powerhead to get some increased flow? Maybe there's one in there that I didn't see.

[KhuliKhilla]

i have a fluval 205 (i think thats the model) runnng the filtration at the moment and no other powerheads. as im going to be having species that arent too fond of a lot fo wateer movement the outfloww of the filter provides enough circulation. once the clowns, mollies, corys and albino shark thing have been taken to the lfs i will be getting sme congo tetras to provide some midwater action... may also get a Synodontis.

aiming to have a biotope-ish tank (though there will be a pair of angels)

[Mark in Vancouver]

So you're not putting loaches in there? Seems a shame... In a tank that size, you could keep a mighty throng of loaches.

[brett_fishman]

sweet tank, i am not familiar with rio tanks, is that a 180L or a 180g??
looks to be a 180L to me..but not sure

-brett.

[KhuliKhilla]

So you're not putting loaches in there? Seems a shame... In a tank that size, you could keep a mighty throng of loaches.

this tank isnt safe for loaches - the polypterus would pose a risk, besides the current isnt really strong enough. however, i do aim to get another 180l tank later this year to keep loaches in histies, kuboti etc

[Dave_2133]

Thats a nice tank mate. I really like how you have done it as well its just in the balance of not enough / too much. Great tank, its gives some inspiration to change my tank around again.

I've not long picked one of these up, how did you get rid of that ugly black box out of the left-hand corner, its doing my head in

[KhuliKhilla]

its a second hand tank and fortunately the filter had come away on its own - so it was easy to pull off, its only held on by a bit of silicone anyway. i much prefer it like that, gives it a bit more room and makes it look a lot brighter.

im picking up some bogwood type roots tomorrow hopefully so will add an updated pic

[Dave_2133]

Oh dear i might have to emtpy the tank slighly then and have a go of pulling it off. Keep us updated on the tank mate.

What plants are those you have in already?

[KhuliKhilla]

Cryptocorine wendii and C. lucens. couple fo anubias too. heavily recommend the cryptocorine, grows great, looks stunning. wish id discopvered it a lot sooner.

[Dave_2133]

Is it high maintence or quite easy to look after. would i have to buy a Co2 injection system for it?

I just need an easy plant to look after, that will survive in a normal tank.

[KhuliKhilla]

no CO2 systems, the cryptocorine i had in the smaller tank with the loaches had leaves about 2" long when i got it, within a couple months it has grown to about 9" and is bushy as hell. i popped a fertilizer tablet under the roots to give it a boost. seems not to have probs without very bright lights. seems quite hardy too. i got mine in large potted bunches for £5 whcih i split up inot 3 smaller bunches. these will fill out and grow.

[Dave_2133]

Thank you for the replies and sorry for taking over the thread like that

I'll hunt some down.

Its still a great tank.

[KhuliKhilla]

hey no probs - im happy to preach the gospel of Cryptocorine

hallelujah!