F8 Tank- 35 Gallon- Suggestions/Advice Needed

OraLacerta · Post by **OraLacerta** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 1:45 pm

Hindenburg the F8 can be seen on the top Left

George the BBG

Falafel the Flounder

Sorry about the weird image sizes, I don't have Photoshop on this PC and I tried using Photobucket's resizing tool and all the pictures are random sizes now.

35 gallon, 1.005 SG, Aquaclear 110 (500).

As of now there are 3 fish in it: A Figure Eight Puffer (Hindenburg), a Freshwater Sole (Falafel), and a Bumblebee Goby. The tank is heavily decorated with several rock caves, 2 tree stumps (I added the second after I took these pics), and lots of plants. There is a mixture of medium and small gravel for substrate, and it is about 3" thicker on one side.

We had our beloved catfish in this tank days ago before I gave him to a trusted store, and now the tank looks, well... barren. Not of decorations mind you, but unlike the cute antics of our the large catfish, timid little Hindenburg hides half the time...
My husband and I agree that since this is going to be our only tank it should have a bit more activity.

So, I bought another F8 eight puffer that was absolutely gorgeous. I put him into the QT tank with my new Knight Goby (a guinea pig to test the new F8's temperament.)
Well, right away the new F8 showed food aggression with the other guy in the tank and I saw him chase the goby around relentlessly, even after feeding. He was quite the character and just as interactive as my GSPs were, but he wouldn't work out with my easily bullied F8.

Yesterday I bagged him up and exchanged him for a (hopefully) more docile puff. This one is a bit larger than Hindenburg, but he isn't showing any food aggression. I bought two small Gold Dust mollies as well, and now 4 fish are in my 15 gallon QT tank. The new F8 is schooling with the Mollies atm, and behaves similarly to my timid Hindenburg.
I think it's a bit too much to ask for me to want another unusually docile puff like Hinden, but I can hope!

The rundown of everything to be put in it after QT is:
2 F8 puffers
2 Gold Dust Mollies
1 Freshwater Sole
1 Knight Goby
1 BBG

So, anyways, I wanted to ask for everyone's honest and straightforward opinion of the tank, as well as the fish that will be living in it. I'm aiming to provide a comfy environment for my fish to live out their natural lifespans or longer. I also want the tank to look pretty aka natural.

Any and all opinions welcome! I'm not going to pout if anyone says something I don't want to hear

:P

OraLacerta · Post by **OraLacerta** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 1:49 pm

I'm thinking about finally adding a background to this tank, probably a plain black one to hide the filter and cords. I would also like to add black sand to the tank sometime.

Is there any place that sells sponges that would go on my filter's intake? I don't want to buy a new filter, but I really want to add sand to this tank.

I dunno. Suggestions are welcome!

Raphael · Post by **Raphael** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 1:52 pm

I would take out the airstone, but that's just me I don't like airstones. Other than that, the tank looks truly incredible.

lisalisa · Post by **lisalisa** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 1:54 pm

NIce!

Background a must, inhabs sound good. What about a tall rock cave, or some java ferns?

OraLacerta · Post by **OraLacerta** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 1:59 pm

Raphael- It's a bubble wand to be exact...

Hehe, I dunno, I've had it in the tank ever since I got it and Hindenburg loves bubbles. You don't want me to deprive him of his bubbles do you??? j/k

LL- Thanks!

I am hoping to add live plants some time. A tall rock cave is a good idea too, I will probably make one when I get around to adding a b/g. Is slate a safe rock to use? There's a ton of it around here and I could make an awesome cave ut of it if it's safe.

Kurt · Post by **Kurt** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 3:48 pm

Hey what the meter in the bottom right hand corner? and is reliable for what you need? Just curious

Raphael · Post by **Raphael** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 3:53 pm

It'a called ammonia alert.

OraLacerta · Post by **OraLacerta** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 3:55 pm

It's a Seachem Ammonia Alert.

It works up to a year and turns color when it detects ammonia. I don't use it in place of regular ammonia testing, but it's great to have for peace of mind. I worry about my tanks too much and like to know that my ammonia alert is there just in case something goes wrong.

Raphael · Post by **Raphael** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 3:57 pm

It works for both FW ans SW, right? I might get one then.

Kurt · Post by **Kurt** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:01 pm

Ahhhh pretty cool thanks for the feedback

Sorry man nice looking setup as well, good luck with it.

OraLacerta · Post by **OraLacerta** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:20 pm

I think it works in both FW and SW. It works in my brackish tank and brackish QT tank. I don't think salt would prevent the device from detecting ammonia, but here's their website just in case: http://www.seachem.com/products/product ... Alert.html

Raphael · Post by **Raphael** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:21 pm

I've been there already but thanks anyway.

SkeptikaL · Post by **SkeptikaL** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:46 pm

Haha! We have the exact same heater! lol. I hate mine, how about you? thing doesn't have a self monitored temp gauge in it, like a thermostat. Yea, you just gotta toy with it... but once set its not TOO bad... I'm getting a new one for my own peace of mind...

OraLacerta · Post by **OraLacerta** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 6:14 pm

Yeah, I think it's a Pennplax or something like it. It's a PITA... It came with the fish I rescued and I haven't thrown it out yet.

It nearly cooked the tank one time; it was well over 90 degrees! It's actually unplugged atm... hehe. I have a Top Fin heater that has worked very well for me and I'm going to put it on this tank. Lol, thanks for reminding me that dumb heater is still on there.

SkeptikaL · Post by **SkeptikaL** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 6:56 pm

lol, np. I need a new one. Man those things suck...

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F8 Tank- 35 Gallon- Suggestions/Advice Needed

F8 Tank- 35 Gallon- Suggestions/Advice Needed