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LONG awaited 6x2x2 geo set up


littlebig

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Hi guys,

So iv been stalking this size for a while now and thought I'd actually contribute. A little background story to start, I live in remote WA and have dreamt of a large SA set up for a good 5+ years, due to many reasons been putting it off.

Well not any more, finally pulled the pin on a 6x2x2 black silicone from aqotix in Perth, and got a removalist to transport it some 1500km north. Needless to say I was stressing until it arrived safe and sound. In the mean time I set to building (part of) my stand and collecting some decor and organising some equipment. I will try and update this thread as the tank progress happens. For now il add some photos, the best part [emoji1] hope you enjoy 36b5a56023eed8c4bcf1ca8fefea70ec.jpgebb28602ee0918b9da61f90bce9d4f1a.jpg9e1d20e72b57c2d511cbd07c19588d26.jpg90d6a02d2c677fd1976f68622e478233.jpg32890ba12ebf70946064bbcd61213e05.jpg8ab8c1d5a8ffd5d528da2cca4f1efc7e.jpg5fd1f4cf6ee8059eb6aa1dd4f5a3d712.jpg831652723a9b31e14f31a2ab2460e89f.jpge3e1ddf93a852e141e8d550e681da2e5.jpg468a662ef5b055bcde6f8d0006f1c0f6.jpg09f300c6100167d533b0f31a35c4788e.jpgaa97a64a4eab296a17b65ec0acf8da34.jpgc23a3371341bad660c9cc5f73a0d1011.jpgd5fa211b97b9ea39c038135dec62f77a.jpg4e90899ceb8cc7af42a28efb2010a864.jpg

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Planing on keeping G. Suranimensis, or G. Altifrons, or G. Rio branch depending on availability of variants when the time comes to stocking. Would also like a small schooling fish like a tetra, but not sure how they will go with these guys when they start getting bigger.

Unfortunately I am waiting on my filter and need to finish the stand and hood before I get to the fish ?

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Nice choice there, Surinamensis will probably be G. Brachybranchus as there are no true Surinams here in Australia or will be one of the varients of Altifrons.   Rio Branco are normally available as are G. Pindare and sometimes Rio Columbian/ Venezuela, Google this link to see what is available in Australia, Eartheaters Australia - an overview of South American Eartheaters. Make sure the Tetras are of the larger variety as smaller ones will be eaten.

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Yeah I have done a little bit of reading through the eartheater aus sites, very handy. I would have to say I am a little disappointed that we don't have more Geo species here in aus. I especially like G. Winemilleri(spelling?) but apparently there are none here. Thanks for the heads up on the tetras, I like the rummy nose tetras but may be too small for what I'm planning?

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I also love the Winemilleri, sad they are not here, if you want to see some great pics and videos of Geos  and you are on facebook look up Jim Cumming. He is in Canada and has the best collection of SA fish i have ever seen, blows my mind such great videos and rare fish, watch in full screen.

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I am in the process of setting up a 8x2x21/2 for geos and finding it really hard to acquire the fish i want. So far i have A. Heckelii, G. Brachybranchus and hopefully getting G. Pindare at the start of next summer with the possibility of G. Rio Branco as well from the same private supplier.  I will also put some T. Elliotti in as they also filter the sand for food and get on with the Geos.

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there are also red Headed Tapajos around

you could try Gymnogeophagus balzanii but they can have a bad time if it gets 30+ and they like wintering so the nuchal hump on the male goes down

the problem with Geo's like all aquarium fish is stability of interest in the hobby, especially with the population here

we managed to get some extra species when they all appeared in the country but have lost a couple along the way when the interest dropped

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Thanks Skippy, will keep you all posted.

Very jealous fisho, I was tossing up between that exact size of tank and the one I ordered, in the end I would've lost way too much space in our dinning area going the bigger tank. If you don't mind me asking what would be the best way to find suppliers, by word of mouth or somewhere through this forum?

To add to the process of the tank, the timber il be cladding the stand in came today so will be finishing that off in the next week or so. 065c4f99f208d0e7d450ea295ea37713.jpg

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There are some Geo keepers on this forum and also on the Perth forum, getting them to respond to your request is another thing!  just keep asking and looking at every opportunity and something will come up.  Some of the major aquarium specialist shops around Sydney often have different Geos and they will Air freight at your expense, best if you know someone who has been in the hobby for a long time and try to glean some contacts from them.   I hope you can source some, they are really a lovely peaceful fish.  Make sure you use fine sand as they filter it through their gills and don't have it very thick on bottom of tank, only about 25-30mm deep with the driftwood and rocks.  Plenty of filtration as they like very clean water, i am running an FX5 and a 2700lt Nautilus on mine and just bought another FX5 with a FX6 motor, probably swap the nautilus over, better still use a large sump.

 

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Cheers mate, I will keep digging to see what I can come up with. My biggest hurdle is being remote. So anything I need to get is most likely going to have to be airfreighted to me. If I can source from Perth it would be much less stressful for the fish 2hr flight compared to 5hr. Still deciding between pool filter sand or play sand. As long as it too light and sinks straight back to the bottom to reduce the likelyhold of going into canister.

I have been trying to source a eheim 2260 for a while now, no one in aus seems to have any in stock at the moment.

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Go pool filter sand I've found playsand to fine and keeps suspended a lot longer.

I dunno how getting fish from over east would go as you have to go through quarantine first and not sure where/ if you have one near you.

Robs aquariums usually gets some decent geos in as does Morley aquariums Paul there is extremely helpful and would order anything you want in

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Cheers mate legend. Exactly what I was thinking, will be heading to local pool shop on Monday. I would ideally like to get fish from Perth, I will go through all options here before sourcing over east ?

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Go the coarse grade PFS and when your ready for fish the best shops for fish are

•Morley aquariums

•Aquotix

•Robs aquarium

• City barn ( they get some rare stuff from time to time )

Thanks mate, appreciate the help.

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OK guys, a little update on the build. I have purchased an eheim 2260 and waiting for it to arrive. As for the sand I went to local pool shop and they don't have any plain silica sand so I'm not sure what I'm going to do about that yet.

My RO unit turned up as well so have been getting that set up and slowly filling the tank to leak test it.

Have also continued on with the stand and hood, working out sizes and door placement ect. The lights I have are reasonably heavy so iv built the hood to hold them.

Still left to finish glueing up the doors and fixing all the timber to the cabinet and hood. 8bf39f1dbcd44e0b1ec6058b19b5ff6b.jpg3ac52bc17efcc4b3888743f35f30c896.jpg4c9a5677091ee993aed611970004b1af.jpgbc1be7caa1a6ea555869534ba4184409.jpg0c571ba0bb04974d7e015d476946d6d3.jpga203792c33d79f525461c0736e0a057e.jpg1c438974fd6a89a6b6fc9e8f33661d40.jpge7dc0cbfaf76febeea9f1a03b977a957.jpg13b7e0ca92867b0c85ba16775eb00441.jpg

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Not much of an update but did get a little bit done in the last couple days. Finished gluing up all the panels and bracing doors ext, still left to final fit all the doors with hinges ect, trying to make them all hidden. Finished sealing the hood and not to work out the lights and then to line the hood to match the stand. I'm sure there is something iv forgotten. 058a4d394efae2ebea3cc115e65c816d.jpg3997415ad18645dc3f6f3aa8dcd753b8.jpgdd3d6bb750b3e9ee7e2fa83d3d804af1.jpg6d6181e3c05e88ba2396629aeaf202d9.jpg708f2c213730c64a1f705f90623358a9.jpg2bb07895c4158757d66c2b5cb9876321.jpgcc5ab5f0aacd6f2158891f0b1ad6541e.jpgd7ac0183b9c7b7595c9696846b163578.jpg371a66837e09373e7a1beac91c416ac6.jpg59685ada08957848607a4960c406e5c3.jpg

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What about computer fans (sucking air out) in case hood/tank overheats in summer?

Or a feeding tube through hood and glass lids to make frequent feeds easy?

Looks very nice and looks like you are having fun !

 

 

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I have thought about computer fans. Not sure how I would wire them up though. The hood will be open at the back to start with to allow some air flow. Feeding tube is a very good idea, I will have to think about that one thanks.

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