Is this gonna turn out bad?

[wtusa1783]

I have a trio of apistogramma cacatuoides in a 20 high community tank. I’m changing that high to a long tomorrow and I’m taking the high and setting it up just for the trio. I’m taking a seeded sponge filter and some media from other tanks. I will add some drift wood and Indian almond leaves. Is it smart to add the apistogramma to the tank with a different filter and media? I know it works for other fish but since apistos can be sensitive I don’t want to risk anything.

 

[yukondog]

Are you setting the long up for the trio or the 20 high? I would use the long it will give you 72 sq". in.more of floor space.

 

[wtusa1783]

Are you setting the long up for the trio or the 20 high? I would use the long it will give you 72 sq". in.more of floor space.

I’m setting up the high

 

[Mike Wise]

I think it will turn out bad for at least 1 of the apistos. A 20H is rather small, bottom area-wise, for a trio. My rule of thumb is to provide each female with a breeding territory at least 12"/30cm in diameter, plus extra space for the male. Tank lay-out may require larger territories, but rarely smaller. Keep the 20H for your community tank and the 20Long for the breeding tank - and then buy at least one more for a grow-out tank.

If you have had the apistos for more than 2 - 3 months I find they are not any more sensitive than any other aquarium fish.

I 'seed' new sponge filters by squeezing debris out of an established sponge into a bucket of tank water, then add the new sponge to the bucket of dirty water, and let it run for a day. By that time the old tank water in the bucket should be mostly clear and the new sponge 'seeded'. Squeeze out the new sponge, add it to a new tank and you have an established tank. I also like to add 25 - 50 of the new tank's water from an established tank.

 

[wtusa1783]

I think it will turn out bad for at least 1 of the apistos. A 20H is rather small, bottom area-wise, for a trio. My rule of thumb is to provide each female with a breeding territory at least 12"/30cm in diameter, plus extra space for the male. Tank lay-out may require larger territories, but rarely smaller. Keep the 20H for your community tank and the 20Long for the breeding tank - and then buy at least one more for a grow-out tank.

If you have had the apistos for more than 2 - 3 months I find they are not any more sensitive than any other aquarium fish.

I 'seed' new sponge filters by squeezing debris out of an established sponge into a bucket of tank water, then add the new sponge to the bucket of dirty water, and let it run for a day. By that time the old tank water in the bucket should be mostly clear and the new sponge 'seeded'. Squeeze out the new sponge, add it to a new tank and you have an established tank. I also like to add 25 - 50 of the new tank's water from an established tank.

I’m using the long for the community. The apistogramma have been fine in the 20 high and they have a bunch of other fish with them

 

[Mike Wise]

Things can change radically once they have a chance to breed.

 

[wtusa1783]

Things can change radically once they have a chance to breed.

Ok. I’m not gonna use a whole 20 long for 3 fish when I have 20+ fish in a tank that is not long. Most of the fish are tetras

 

[Mike Wise]

I wish you the best of luck.

 

[yukondog]

I your going to breed fish you need to what's best for the fish your going to breed.

 

[wtusa1783]

I your going to breed fish you need to what's best for the fish your going to breed.

Ok. I can always add a female back to the community tank if it’s getting picked on