Yay! 30 gal long!

[Rayneuki]

Now to get the needed supplies and find some stocking ideas!!

Anyhow, I'm thinking of getting some more cichlids (I love my two little Kribs... Even though they're both male >.>; )
I know I want some south americans... and I'm really wanting a few cory cats in there.

If I do go with the cory's I'm thinking Keyholes... If not, does anyone think that a Brasiliensis Cichlid would be fine in a 30? I imagine that it'd be the only thing in there. (I gave myself an example of a big book as the fish. Not much room for him, but the book is like two inches thick and eleven long... Still, I think it's a good example.)



ALSO! I'm thinking sand. I like the idea of Sand! I'm thinking some of the Onyx sand that 'That fish place' sells would look pretty. I think my LFS might sell it... Anyone have a favorite type of sand? I like dark colors, my other tank has blue gravel, and I've heard sand is a bit easier to clean (No digging in the gravel for all the dropped food/poo).

Oh yes, any DIY sand ideas? Could I use like play sand from my home-depo? I'm pretty sure they have it in dark colors... Would it just be like the home-depo gravel? Clean it more?

[Rayneuki]

Oh yes! It came with two HOB filters (The previous owner had a puffer in it, whom was aparently very messy) one is a millenium 2000 (redunded, eh?) and the other is an aqua clear. The aqua clear, I think, is awsome looking. It's one where you buy the mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration media seperately (you guys probably already know though.)

I would like to know which one you think would work better? The 2000 is for 30 - 50 and the aqua clear is the same I think. I would just like to know which one is the better filter? And if they sell the 2000 filter bags any more >.>


Edit:
I keep forgetting things >.>;;
Well I told myself. (Looked it up) so bristle nose is in! They remind me of tentacle monsters (with the little thingies on their face xD) SO! Perhaps an SA tank? If I go with that... Hmmmm What would go good in an SA community tank? I'm pretty sure that cories aren't sa, or are they?

I think that's it...

[TabMorte]

I use play sand and I love it but you have to RINSE IT, RINSE IT and when you think you're done RINSE IT SOME MORE. If you use black sand rinse it in a bucket you don't mind being discolored and do it outside.

My fish love it especially my cories and loaches because the sand's much softer on their barbels. I find it much easier to plant in as well. You need to stir it up every 8 weeks or so but in general I find it a lot easier to keep clean then the gravel.

I think Keyholes are fine in a 30 but I'm not sure about keyhole/cory compatability. You might wanna double check on that. They are South Americans but a lot of Cichlids are very protective of the bottom of the tank.

[Rayneuki]

ooh thanks. Do you think any cichlids would do well with a bristle nose pleco? I'll have to look up the compatability. I know my Kribs don't bother my otto (everyone gets along, cept when Zim goes on a "OH GOD NO THE TANK IS DIRTY!!!" spree... I love my little neat freak otto.)

And corries are SA... I thought they were asian? Dunno, might have read wrong.

I'm also thinking of doing some planting (I like the idea, and the tank is big enough for it to be done.) Anything that doesn't require high light? I don't want to have to buy a new light along with the heater and filter media XD


Edit: Looked it up, Keyholes will do fine with cories aparently (as long as the keyhole has enough places to hide.) As will Apistogramma borellii, which is a very pretty fish.

[sweetpickles7]

You could also go with GBR's, bolivians, or any apistos.

[Cichlid-Man]

Sounds good. I also use play sand from the hardware store. Just rinse it good.

[Rayneuki]

Play sand? Check then! (Or onyx if I decide to plant!)
If I dooo plant, I'm thinking Java fern/moss or anubias. I have some rocks (from the previous owner) that I can attatch the java fern/moss to. (Might just plant with play sand, cheaper.)

I'm thinking Apistos, they're BEUTIFUL.
So

A pair of Apistos (mmm or GBRs... Pretty pretty shiny shiny!)
A bristle nosed pleco
Corries (or upside down catfish...) Unless that wouldn't go in there well?

Any dither that would match the quasi SA setup?



and again. Millenium 2000 filter or Aqua clear? Which would be better?!

[TabMorte]

Cories are South American. If you want to plant it then yeah apistos and rams are good just keep an eye out if/when they breed as they might end up confronting the cories a bit.

[Rayneuki]

Alright!
The sand was washed (almost two hour affair, me and my bf got OCD on it and ended up getting all of the little brown bits out. The water was clear for a good half hour before we were done).

I thought it wouldn't be a pretty color, but after it was washed... Omg almost pure white.

So, my aquascaping took a full hour (OCD yet again) and the filling went slow so I wouldn't mess up the aqua scape.

I'm getting the filter media for the Aqua Clear on friday (gonna let the sand settle meanwhile. Even though it's almost completely settled already @_@ ) Once I get a camera I'll be taking pictures of my 20 and the new tank. I want some empty pics of the new tank (it looks so peaceful over there).

I'm either going to go with Apistos (If I can find any here...) or Keyholes.
I know I want a bristle nose (again, if I can find one...)
And lucky me got some cupons from petco (Yes for supply shopping!)

Pictures ASAP! ... which might not be very soon...