rp_dawg

Thanks for the help so far. Photo 4625 is still juvenile. Am I correct in assuming photo's 4618 and 4625 are the males? It's kinda funny because 4618 could really care less about 4625, but seems to always chase 4626 around the tank. Does that help/change anything?

Can anyone identify or sex the apistos in the attached photos. All supposedly the same species purchased in November from big al's Calgary. They are amazing colour changers. I believe the tank was labelled "rainbow apistos" but I think they are "blue cheek apistos" (Apistogramma Eonotus)

Guinea pig...ugh. Looking at some reviews and hearing from the supplier, they should be sufficient for 24" deep tanks which exceeds the 90 gallon requirements. They recommended 3x12W strips, but that's pushing the budget (also saving up for some UG heater cable) - I figure since most of the fish I want like shade anyhow, I will just get 2. That will give me some areas of intense light and some gaps for shade.

I'm not sure the DIY parts needed for a proper CREE light set...might be a little too in-depth for me. I do plan on building my own stand.

It also appears that the make of the lights I picked do well in online reviews...and much better than the Marineland option I almost jumped on.

Looking forward to a shimmery tank, thanks for the replies!

I've got an update. Currently the tank is stocked with 3 corys, 1 oto, and 3 (unsexed) blue cheek apistos from Big Als, Calgary. Casualties to date include 1 oto and 7 beckford pencil fish. Any suggestions for some more dither fish (south american) that can handle the apisto tank mates? I would like to finish stocking the tank soon.

Thanks

I have a 90 gal that will one day soon (hopefully) be a planted tank. Haven't purchased the lights yet, but am thinking of going LED. Does anyone have any experience with this equipment for planted tanks?

I am considering the following lights:

http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/LEDLights.html#600

(2 strips, daylight spectrum)

So, are these a good idea? Is there a better (cheaper) option out there?

Thanks

I would assume Glenmore, since I can basically throw a rock from my backyard to the reservoir (OK, if I took a 5min walk first I could do that). I actually picked up a trio of apistos from Big Als Calgary today, impulse purchase as they didn't have any of the tetras I want. Might be having a post in a day or two saying "name/sex that apisto", considering the tank they came from was next to one labelled Keyhole Cichlid, but definitely contained Bolivian Rams.

That being said - apisto experiences in Glemore tapwater?

I am quite new to the fishkeeping hobby in Calgary, and looking for advice on how smaller S,C/A cichlids (ram, keyholes, apistos) handle the local tapwater. I have kept these fish in Vancouver, where the tapwater is basically rainwater, and in KW Ontario, where the water is absurdly high in PH and hardness. I am NOT planning to go the R/O route here, so I want to stock my tank with a tri/pair of (keyholes, german rams, bolivian rams, apistos) that will be happy and healthy.

Can anyone comment on their experience raising these fish in the local tapwater? Also, are there significant differences between wild-caught and tank raised stock when considering the previous question?

Thanks

I've had some difficulty sourcing good/reasonably priced apistos in the past (in another province). I was thinking maybe keyholes, but I don't know too much about them. Definitely leaning towards the SA option.

Thanks for the the photo post...that looks great. How many bags do you figure for a 12x24 tank?

I am planning on setting up a 20 gal tall planted community tank and am looking for some stocking advice/suggestions. My plan was to stick to either asian or SA fish (semi-biotope I guess) and I don't want to be pushing the limits in terms of tank capacity. The SA tank would ideally feature angels, and the asian tank gouramis. Any suggestions?

Also, any links to website with good lists would be appreciated.

Thanks

Hiya Folks, I guess we are supposed to introduce ourselves when we sign up. I am getting back into the hobby after a few years hiatus and a move from Ontario. No tanks currently set up, but I have sitting in my basement a 20 gallon Hagen kit from 1994 (my first ever tank) that my parents recently cleared from their basement. Hoping to have a planted amazon community going in the near future. I've been a message board member before in Kitchener with KWAS and found it quite useful for buy/sell/trade, DIY advice and a whole wealth of knowledge. Sure beats having to buy books on your own.

Cheers,

Russ

Do you have any photos of the quickcrete sand substrate then? I was not too sure about the colour, and hoping the pool filter sand would be better in that effect.

Could anyone suggest a good place in Calgary to get this Target Pool Filter Sand?