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getting back into freshwater

robherf Sep 13, 2010 11:14 PM

i broke down my saltwater tamk a few monthes ago a decided to set it back up freshwater

i never ran such a large freshwater take before so i think i am going to try to operate it with a saltwater mentality

its a 140 gal tank (4ft long 2 ft wide 28" tall) with one overflow

filtration will be a 30 gal sump with a planted refuguim

lighting will be 4 4ft vho's

circulation 1 pump running the sump about 500 gal/hr and 1 pump running a closed loop about 650 gal/hr wich i'll probably crank down to about 300 gal/hr

and lastly if i use r/o d/i (0-2 ppm tds) water would i need to add trace elements
does this sound good for a community tank

thanks

Replies (3)

phishie Sep 14, 2010 03:52 PM

Wow! Freshwater should be a breeze for you then. It should be easier to maintain the water quality with such a large tank, which is a good thing.

I have zero SW experience (well in aquariums). Sounds like it would be good for a FW tank too. Although if you aren't going to have a planted aquarium, the lighting should only be on for maybe 4 hours (or you will have algae blooms).

I always use spring or reverse osmosis water (I bought from the store). The only additive you would need is if you are using tap water you would need a dechlorinator.

You have tons of possibilities with this tank. Have fun. Feel free to ask any other questions you may come across during the process.
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Phishie
Site Coordinator

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

RoBHerF Sep 14, 2010 11:16 PM

well i would have live plants in the sump only
i am thinking louisiana wild iris and water hycinth

i am in the process of cycling the tank now with goldfish (wich will move to the pond once tank is finished cycling)

for fish i am thinking
25-40 neons or cardnals
6 or so congo tetra
12 emperor tetra
6-8 cory cats
2 plecos (probably royal and gold nugget)
8-10 chinese butterfly suckers
4-6 glass catfish
2 redtail sharks
6-8 various gouramis

how about some thoughts on this combo or some other suggestions

thanks

phishie Sep 18, 2010 09:33 AM

Very good. The tetras will need the tank established (good choice to cycle before you add them). Remember not to add too many fish at once because your tank will adjust when you add a couple more fish. I just love cory cats. The redtail sharks are semi-aggressive so they should not be kept in a community tank. When I had mine it was even nipping on the fins of my other semi-aggressive fish (barbs mostly). You would also need to be careful with the gouramis. Some are also semi-aggressive. It seems you're like the schooling fishes, so maybe a raspbora or 5? I like the harlequin raspboras. Otherwise, it sounds pretty good to me.
-----
Phishie
Site Coordinator

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

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