40g Catfish Community [Archive]

Wild Turkey

04-14-2009, 08:24 PM

After some debate i decided to start a thread for this tank. So watch, as I do things as backwards as possible without harming my fish:hmm3grin2orange:

The idea here is to get my catfish into the sand tank, build the decor up around them and then expand the stock a little.

So far i have everything i need except some good lighting and decor, spare the little stuff that will end up costing me untold amounts of money. Ok enough blabbing, pics!

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa132/Turkey151/Fish/DSCF0018.jpg

There she is looking very plain atm. Been running floss and charcoal for the last 2 days, shes cleared up nicely and is ready for some hardware

Crispy

04-14-2009, 08:31 PM

cool idea turk. I know you are a big fan of the cory cats, but any others that you're going to get? I'll recommend a raphael and a pictus.

bluebluecow

04-14-2009, 08:32 PM

going to be an interesting tank to watch grow

liz

Wild Turkey

04-14-2009, 08:50 PM

cool idea turk. I know you are a big fan of the cory cats, but any others that you're going to get? I'll recommend a raphael and a pictus.

im actually looking for some recommendations so thanks and keep em coming! its the breeder footprint 18" by 36"

smaug

04-14-2009, 09:05 PM

No pictus,there too active for a 40,a raph would be happy if he had alot of caves.

bluebluecow

04-14-2009, 09:06 PM

id put a syndontis decoris in there as I love them lol

liz

Wild Turkey

04-15-2009, 12:04 AM

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa132/Turkey151/Fish/DSCF0001.jpg

Got the hardware in, got the rest of the filtration on, probably gonna need another extension tube. Anyone want to take bets on if a 150watt heater is enough??:14: Lets hope so its at 77 and rising i set it 80. The lines for the air and co2 are in, air is hooked up to the system.

Next will be stealing some media and a few fish from other tanks if the heater turns out to be alright.thumbs2:

toddnbecka

04-15-2009, 04:29 AM

Good size tank for breeding BN's, plenty of room for the fry to grow out. A bit small for Synodontis other than dwarfs IMO. I prefer at least a 4' tank for the larger (territorial) species. Banjo cats would enjoy the sand, and help keep it stirred as well.

cocoa_pleco

04-15-2009, 04:37 AM

i would say if you want to make it a catfish tank go with 15 corys, a bumblebee cat, upsidedown cat, a BN pleco, and a single gourami for the top

Poofaye C.

04-15-2009, 06:06 AM

i would say if you want to make it a catfish tank go with 15 corys, a bumblebee cat, upsidedown cat, a BN pleco, and a single gourami for the top

I like this option, but I would finish with one breed of schooling tetras. Which ever tetras are your fav. About 8-10.

Crispy

04-15-2009, 12:11 PM

This is a catfish tank! Instead of tetras, maybe a small schoal of glass cats? They're usually mid-level swimmers.

Wild Turkey

04-15-2009, 12:40 PM

I like the tetra and gourami ideasthumbs2: I was actually planning on some tetras anyway since they really put the corys at ease. I have 8 rummynose that would do better in that tank than my 20Long, and moving them and the corys out will make room for a gbr pair that I need to start thinking about.

So the stock plan so far:

6 Albino C
5 Emerald Green C/B
8 RummyNose tetras
A ton of mts for sifters
and maybe one or two other species. possibly pandas + a bumble bee or upside down, do either do better in groups?

I do really like upside down cats, but dont they hail from opposite sides of the world and prefer different phs? Not that its not doable, im just curious.

Im afraid a bn might reduce my stocking abilities too much so i might opt for something else, i already have one in my 45 so he can be rotated around if need be. They sure do poop like the big ones:hmm3grin2orange:

Oh and some good news, the 150watt heater is enough, at least to maintain the right temp, so horah!

Northernguy

04-15-2009, 01:32 PM

Nice project Turk!:22:
I like the fish selection!The rummy nose are a great plan!thumbs2:

cocoa_pleco

04-15-2009, 02:06 PM

upsidedown cat should do fine, ive got one sitting in my 90g south american tank. he hides in the driftwood

toddnbecka

04-15-2009, 04:51 PM

Synodontis are pretty adaptable fish, so are the bumblebees for that matter. Both are happier in groups, bumblebees have been known to spawn in aquariums when kept in groups. The Cory cats are probably the most sensitive regarding water chemistry, and being captive bred is helpful.

KcEE

04-15-2009, 05:00 PM

Interesting project you have going on WT! I can't wait to see more!!!

Taurus

04-15-2009, 05:03 PM

I would love to see some Corydoras aldolfoi in the new setup. Oh, and good luck with the GBR's.

Wild Turkey

04-15-2009, 07:05 PM

Thanks everyone, the advice is really helpful. Im glad to hear the corys would be the most sensitive, as ive never had problems keeping them and dont really consider them very sensitive.

ok so now we're more looking at
6 Aeneus C
5 Emerald C/B
8 Rummynose
1-2 upside down Syn
8 Panda C

Bold are fish I already have

What are your guys thought on that? Think I have room for the bn? More?

Im putting a bit of wood in the tank now and the aeneus will be the first to take the plunge.

Crispy

04-15-2009, 07:10 PM

I think your syn cat is going to be the most sensitive... scaleless cat and all...
banjo cats, bumblebees, and raphaels will all hide during the day.... they're not particularly schoaling fish either so maybe consider one of each?? Would make a better variety of cats for the catfish tank!

Wild Turkey

04-15-2009, 07:14 PM

I think your syn cat is going to be the most sensitive... scaleless cat and all...

Thats what i thought as well, anyone else have an opinion to share?

Crisp, do you think i could get away with one of each in that stocking? We are talking about 3-4 inch cats full grown right?

Taurus

04-15-2009, 11:59 PM

8 Panda C

Don't Pandas require cooler water temps?

Wild Turkey

04-16-2009, 12:09 AM

Don't Pandas require cooler water temps?
Cooler yes, but the temp ranges overlap, you just dont want to push them into the 80's. Also you have to consider tank bred yadda yadda lol. The good news is I cant find any pandas around here for less than 6$ or so, but a private breeder 30 minutes away sells them for less than 2$ ea if you pick them upthumbs2: I just have to re-contact him, its been a few months.

Because they can handle down to low 60's they make great a great cold water bottom feeder, but they will do fine at 77-78F, just not higher imo. Technically, its about 2 degrees out of their optimal range.

Actually If i remember right, I was the one who started that whole stink about them preferring lower temps on AC, last year when i was researching for some articles. I remember actually having to prove my case to a few naysayers.
It makes me smile having it quoted back at me, makes me feel like my efforts have made a difference in a small way. Really you just gave me an ear to ear that will not go away:shappy:

Wild Turkey

04-16-2009, 03:49 AM

Replaced the floss and carbon with sponge media and sintered glass, and im dripping the aeneus and getting ready to put some used media in both filters.
Also added the first of some wood caves for security, i don't think they will have a problem though, the albinos seem to trust me quite a bit, i practically picked them up and put them in the net :hmm3grin2orange:

some pics

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa132/Turkey151/Fish/DSCF0002.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa132/Turkey151/Fish/DSCF0010-2.jpg

more when i get them in of course, should be about 45 from now maybe a little more

Northernguy

04-16-2009, 04:02 AM

Looks great! They should be happy!
I like drip pic too!:19: lol
When are the plants coming?

Wild Turkey

04-16-2009, 04:03 AM

Looks great! They should be happy!
I like drip pic too!:19: lol
When are the plants coming?

Thanks!

Im ordering the light and bulbs either tonight or early tomorrowthumbs2:

Northernguy

04-16-2009, 04:08 AM

I'll check in later !:hmm3grin2orange: thumbs2:

OscarFan

04-16-2009, 04:10 AM

turn the live feed to this tank *cough cough* nice looking project and looking good so far.

Wild Turkey

04-16-2009, 06:04 AM

They are happy are shoaling but also kicking up a bunch of sand so pics will have to wait until the morning unfortunately!

I'll consider the live feed idea, do you really want it pointed at a work in progress?:hmm3grin2orange:

Northernguy

04-16-2009, 08:37 PM

Is it clear yet?:hmm3grin2orange:

Empty your PM box!

Wild Turkey

04-16-2009, 08:47 PM

My b! I was doing a water change:hmm3grin2orange: So hopefully it will be clear soon

Northernguy

04-16-2009, 08:50 PM

:hmm3grin2orange: Sent!thumbs2: :22:

Wild Turkey

04-17-2009, 07:42 PM

Well the corys are continuing to kick up sand like crazy, im sucking it up, they are kicking up more etc etc. Soon i will have all of the lighter sand out of the tank be done with it. The corys are quite happy with the tank as it is but i of course am not:hmm3grin2orange:

Pics are an impossibility at the moment, but heres a video from yesterday to keep the thread semi-interesting

o68rjFJPyKI

Northernguy

04-17-2009, 07:51 PM

Thats some really fine sand! The sand I used not that fine!
They seem to enjoy it a lot!thumbs2:

Wild Turkey

04-20-2009, 05:22 PM

Sorry for the delay, the sand turned out to be a little too fine so im going to go with black flourite sand and my old favorite, EC. The ec is in, corys and wood are back here are some pics from the process which was yesterday

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa132/Turkey151/Fish/DSCF0024.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa132/Turkey151/Fish/DSCF0023.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa132/Turkey151/Fish/DSCF0029.jpg

Tried to get one of the corys in the other bucket, but too much sand in the water to get a good shot. Of course, i re seeded the filters.

So some minor headaches, but we are back on track.

Northernguy

04-20-2009, 05:32 PM

The contrast is a lot better!
The corys really stand out against it! Looks great!:22:

robflanker

04-20-2009, 05:40 PM

Yeah the contrast looks great. I had a hard time at first seeing the corys due to the sand and them kicking it up.

The black looks great tho!

Wild Turkey

04-20-2009, 06:57 PM

Thanks guys

Depending on how much I get done on other stuff today i might switch a light over and get some bg plants started. I also want to get my emeralds in there soon, which is doable

Wild Turkey

04-21-2009, 04:25 AM

Got both things done today, heres a vid. Starting to take shape a little bit thumbs2: It looks like a catfish tank at least:ssmile:

7MeOe0f-HIs

Northernguy

04-21-2009, 04:35 AM

That one cory wants to be a movie star!
You can tell by the twinkle in its eye!:hmm3grin2orange:
Looks great! Like the plants too!thumbs2:

Poofaye C.

04-21-2009, 04:53 AM

Looking pretty good!!!

Crispy

04-21-2009, 08:10 PM

Looks good WT... any other catfish coming soon?

Wild Turkey

04-21-2009, 10:02 PM

Thanks all!

I was looking at upside down and raphael cats today, didnt buy though, i should give it a few days to make sure I stole enough media for the emeralds.
I did get some more wood and some more plants (already too many species! LOL) so pics as soon as I get off my lazy butt.

troy

04-21-2009, 11:39 PM

It's already shaping out to be a great tank.thumbs2:

Sir Tristen

04-22-2009, 12:14 AM

Yay for catfish! Looks great WT!thumbs2:

Wild Turkey

05-16-2009, 04:23 AM

Sorry about the slow updating.

Added some more wood, the rummynoses are in, bristlenose is in

Ich outbreak:ssuprised: treating currently.

Took out the vals and ergeria neither seemed to transfer very well for some reason. I have a feeling the excel i was dosing killed the vals.

Got the co2 hooked up as well, so maybe i will try vals again later

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa132/Turkey151/DSCF0052.jpg

Yes thats AC in the reflection:hmm3grin2orange: Looks like a stem got loose too... ok now im just talking to myself! More plants and pics coming soon