Classroom Native Tank
#1 Guest_Fatman_*
Posted 02 May 2012 - 12:35 AM
The FW system I have to start with is a 55 gallon tank with a corner overflow and another 55 gallon tank for a sump (not sectioned off). So I figure the total operating volume will probably be in the 75-80 gallon range. Lighting is a 48" PC Fluorescent fixture with 2 6500K bulbs. The tank will be planted (plant species will depend on fish species) and I'll use real driftwood and/or rock to scape it.
I will be setting up the sump based on the type of setup I end up going with, but it will most likely use a filter sock for mechanical filtration and a couple forms of biological filtration for redundancy.
For the stocking, the first thing that came to mind was some species of Sunfish. However, seeing some smaller fish they wouldn't normally pay attention to up close, could be cool as well. So I'm open to any suggestions you guys have. The only thing is they need to be pretty hardy fish because the teacher is basically a first time fish owner.
P.S. The school is in central IL incasee there is something local you suggest, otherwise I'll try to find somewhere to purchase the needed fish.
#2 Guest_EricaWieser_*
Posted 02 May 2012 - 07:07 AM
#3 Guest_Uland_*
Posted 02 May 2012 - 07:21 AM
#4 Guest_Fatman_*
Posted 02 May 2012 - 12:55 PM
The plants won't be anything fancy if I go the Sunfish route, probably
just some Hornwort and Anacharis. With smaller fish like the minnows and/or darters I would probably add in some rooted plants though. Definitely sure about going with a planted tank. Neither one of us likes the look of fake plants and I'd like them in there for some extra filtration. I'll also be down to check on the tank when possible.
I'll have to present him with the different options and see what he's more interested in. I've always liked some of the smaller natives like the darters pygmy sunfish and killifish, but he may be leaning towards a little bit bigger fish.
#5 Guest_EricaWieser_*
Posted 02 May 2012 - 01:07 PM
I would not recommend pygmy sunfish for a tank for children. They hide too much to be considered entertaining.I've always liked some of the smaller natives like the darters pygmy sunfish and killifish, but he may be leaning towards a little bit bigger fish.
#6 Guest_Fatman_*
Posted 02 May 2012 - 04:18 PM
Also, not exactly a children's tank. He has some Freshmen classes but his Juniors and Seniors will be helping out with the maintenance once everything is up and running.
#7 Guest_swampfish_*
Posted 02 May 2012 - 04:25 PM
I live in central Illinois south of Champaign, so I'm sure that we could meet somewhere rather than ship them.
Phil Nixon
Tolono, IL
pnixon@illinois.edu
#12 Guest_Fatman_*
Posted 04 May 2012 - 01:58 AM
Hopefully everything will go well on the SW side to where this tank can be set up sooner rather than later. Going to start looking for driftwood (collect and buy) that will look good in here, along with some rocks for rock pile caves. Phil do you know if these guys dig up rooted plants like Vals? If so I'll go with mostly hornwort and anacharis as stated before. May try out something like a dwarf lily with some precautions taken to hopefully prevent it from being dug up.
Also, do these guys do better on sand or gravel. Personally I tend to like sand, but I've got extra of both so either way I've got it covered.
#13 Guest_wargreen_*
Posted 04 May 2012 - 03:15 PM
#15 Guest_Fatman_*
Posted 04 May 2012 - 03:34 PM
I've heard the same, but I'm not too worried. I've had a lot of luck keeping South American Cichlids together and with other fish. I always try to provide more hiding spots than really needed, along with using plants as a visual barrier.Dollar sunfish are very nice looking, but ive heard (never kept them myself) that they have the temperment of a cichlid.
Had thought about the clay kitty litter, but I've already got so much gravel and sand laying around it doesn't make sense to buy it. I've also got some Flourite for the plants.
#16 Guest_swampfish_*
Posted 04 May 2012 - 05:11 PM
I also had a couple of plants in rock wool in 2 1/2" plastic pots. Both of these were knocked over and emptied. I assume that is was due primarily to bumping and tail action by the fish. Until just recently, there was also a 7-8" longear sunfish in the tank that was probably responsible. Plants planted in the substrate should be fine, including Vallisneria. I grow Vallisneria in a different tank. Although not as well-rooted as Amazon swordplants and other Echinodorus, or Cryptocornes, they should do fine.
A tank of sunfish is like an armed camp. You should have at least three and preferably more of about the same size. There will be a dominant fish that will chase all of the others. With two fish, the dominant one will hassle the other fish until it dies. With three or more fish, the hassles are kept to a minimum because the dominant fish worries too much about being attacked by the third fish while chasing the second. When the longear died, it took less than two days for one of the dollar sunfish to become dominant. Driftwood, rocks, plants or other structure is needed so that the fish can't see each other most of the time. I use plants (Najas) hanging in the water to disrupt the fishs' line of sight.
In many ways, having sunfish is very much like having a tank of green terrors, Jack Dempseys, or one of the other more belligerant cichlids.
#18 Guest_EricaWieser_*
Posted 04 May 2012 - 07:01 PM
+1I also like using a substrate made up of kitty litter on the bottom and small gravel on the top (you can grow plants in it and they can make nests out of it).
To clarify it's pure clay kitty litter we're all using.
Cleveland Ohio kitty litter: http://gallery.nanfa...ageViewsIndex=1
Winston Salem North Carolina kitty litter: http://gallery.nanfa..._04_03.jpg.html
http://www.thekrib.c...rate-jamie.html
Capped with gravel it acts just like soil.
Edited by EricaWieser, 04 May 2012 - 07:12 PM.
#19 Guest_Fatman_*
Posted 04 May 2012 - 11:51 PM
I'd love to have the Tadpole Madtoms in here as well, but how many should I do with that many sunfish (9). If needed I could always grow them out until the are big enough to go with the sunfish.
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