- Messages
- 11
- Location
- Southern Maryland
I was thinking of putting some apistos in a 55g tank I recently set up. It is a used tank that has been running for many years. The substrate consists of a thin layer of peat over fish mulm, Shultz Aquatic Plant soil over the peat, and it is capped off with play sand for about a 2" substrate depth. It currently has 4 large Angelfish (don't know the type or latin name) in it to help further cycle the tank. I plan on using a rock/driftwood setup with several low light plants (Crypts, Java moss, etc, etc.) plus trimmings from my 75g planted tank.
Of the below list, which do you recommend for a beginning Apisto keeper? Also, which are compatible and how many pairs/individuals can I keep in a 55g? I just plan on keeping and enjoying them at first. Breeding can come later if they are so inclined. The Opals are my favorites so far.
A. agassizii "Double Red"
A. agassizii " Tefe"
A. borelli "Opal"
A. juruensis "Nanay"
A. macmasteri
A. nijsseni
I have a 30g I can use for a breeding tank if need be. It will be set up similar to the 55g listed above. I know some like to use a bare bottom tank for breeding. Not sure if I will be able to breed them but if they do breed, will the above substrate help or hinder my attempts at raising fry?
I am also interested in Microgeophagus ramerizi "German Blue". I am thinking about putting a pair of these in my 75g heavily planted Tetra tank. Are they compatible with the above Apistos if I decide not to put them in the 75g?
My water parameters from the tap are pH 7.6, KH 8, GH 5, with zero NH3, NH4, NO2, NO3, & PO4. I am already in the habit of 50% water changes for the 75g and would do similar 25-50% weekly water changes for the Apistos. I would prefer not to have to use R.O. water for the 55g due to the large volume it would require. I could, however use it in the 30 due to the smaller volume. I also have peat nuggets and plenty of Canadian sphagnum peat that I can use for filtration. Do the "water softener pillows" help at all with harder water or do they just end up adding KCL?
Thanks for the help!
Of the below list, which do you recommend for a beginning Apisto keeper? Also, which are compatible and how many pairs/individuals can I keep in a 55g? I just plan on keeping and enjoying them at first. Breeding can come later if they are so inclined. The Opals are my favorites so far.
A. agassizii "Double Red"
A. agassizii " Tefe"
A. borelli "Opal"
A. juruensis "Nanay"
A. macmasteri
A. nijsseni
I have a 30g I can use for a breeding tank if need be. It will be set up similar to the 55g listed above. I know some like to use a bare bottom tank for breeding. Not sure if I will be able to breed them but if they do breed, will the above substrate help or hinder my attempts at raising fry?
I am also interested in Microgeophagus ramerizi "German Blue". I am thinking about putting a pair of these in my 75g heavily planted Tetra tank. Are they compatible with the above Apistos if I decide not to put them in the 75g?
My water parameters from the tap are pH 7.6, KH 8, GH 5, with zero NH3, NH4, NO2, NO3, & PO4. I am already in the habit of 50% water changes for the 75g and would do similar 25-50% weekly water changes for the Apistos. I would prefer not to have to use R.O. water for the 55g due to the large volume it would require. I could, however use it in the 30 due to the smaller volume. I also have peat nuggets and plenty of Canadian sphagnum peat that I can use for filtration. Do the "water softener pillows" help at all with harder water or do they just end up adding KCL?
Thanks for the help!
