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Finally I'm starting.....

Thu, 05/17/2012 - 19:33 — nlb

OK so my last message was deleted. But now I'm good to go. Everyone, don't laugh. I've done lots of reading and given opinions but none of it's from experience.


I have my 55 gallon tank totally ready to go. I want one parrot and maybe bloodfins or tiger barbs for dither fish. Bronco, you suggested a green puffer fish and initially I thought no. But I've become fascinated after a little reading. If I got one would it eat my dither fish (probably?) and chew up my plants? Once he crunched up my snails I'd have to learn what else he needs to keep his teeth worn down. Would he be OK with the parrot?


I think I've had so much time to think about this that I've become a little nervous.


Nieko, how are your kirins?


Nancy


 

Comments

Mon, 05/21/2012 - 15:03 — Niekomaster

Hi Nancy! My kirrin are doing

Hi Nancy! My kirrin are doing great! I need to get some pics up, but had a horrible dirty sand incident that was HORRIBLE... I will be adding a storyline for it. lol as for snails, they are VERY LAME!!!! I suggest sand for tanks, leaves no room for mess in gravel.

Mon, 05/21/2012 - 16:59 — nlb

Kirrin, etc.

I read about your sandstorm! You have such a sense of humor! 


I'm also receiving vicarious enjoyment hearing that the kirrins are doing well. Yay! A nice fish store nearby has some either shortbody flowerhorns or kirrins. I was wearing my contacts and cannot see closeup with them so I'll have to go back again.


What do you think about no sand or gravel?

Mon, 05/21/2012 - 17:42 — Niekomaster

i try that and it just doesnt

i try that and it just doesnt look nice enough for me. and if you get algae, it gets there too... lol. I love my sand, it is BEAUTIFUL. I love that there are different colors. I have white sand with drift wood in my 55 and brown grainy sand in my 125 with big stone boulder things... :) i really like the natural look. also sand is good for the prospect of live plants.. gravel catches all the poop and you have to spend tons of time during ur water change to vacuum gravel. I just run the hose above the sand and all crud is gone. Took me FOREVER  to try sand, no regrets here :)

Sun, 05/20/2012 - 05:14 — femacle1 (not verified)

Are the snails small? My

Are the snails small? My parrots eat small snails.

Sun, 05/20/2012 - 16:55 — nlb

Snails

The snails are small so I guess I don't have to worry about them. That's good.

Sat, 05/19/2012 - 19:49 — nlb

Sand substrate

I'm still not sure about sand or a bare bottom. I've read lots of debates which says to me it's not a settled question. I have lots of pond matrix in the tank for bacteria. Bare seems more easilly cleaned. The pros for sand seem to be attractiveness and someplace for the cichlid to dig.

Sat, 05/19/2012 - 17:44 — nlb

What about.........

Would it be a good idea to see if parrot / convict crosses were still available or would they be too aggressive with bloodfins? A really nice fish store around here has shortbody flowerhorns. I wouldn't be able to have the bloodfins but would the flowerhorn destroy the plants in my aquarium? I also have to admit I'm a little in love with convicts, the supposed lab rat of the fish world.

Fri, 05/18/2012 - 08:15 — Chrisplosion

Sorry, accidently deleted

Sorry, accidently deleted your last post while I was cleaning up spam.

Sat, 05/19/2012 - 17:39 — nlb

Oh!

Oh! It must have been all of the subliminal references to designer handbags. Harhar.

Thu, 05/17/2012 - 21:42 — nlb

Oh Phooey

The puffers are really cool. Too bad they cannot live with parrots. Guess I'll keep picking the snails out with my little fingers.

Thu, 05/17/2012 - 20:13 — Broncomaniac

Hi Nancy. Green spotted

Hi Nancy. Green spotted puffers can only be kept with other green spotted puffers. They are notorious fin nippers. You'd have to rehome him after he ate the snails. I suggested it because it would serve two purposes; entertainment and snail removal. If you're ready to stock I would just use a product that kills snails.