Overstocked tank renovations.

[Priscacara]

G'day, I have a few scenarios running through my head on a tank change that needs to take place due to overstocking and would like some opinions and options.

The current tank is a standard 3 footer, planted, temp 25C, ph 7.3, hardness very soft (water here is 8.5 out of the tap and soft but not sure exactly what the hardness is). The filtation is via 2 sponge filters run off air pumps, diameter of the sponges is approx. 12 cm and 12cm high ( judged on looking at them in the tank).

The problem with this tank that I have is that my pair of lionheads have been extremely successfull at spawning. Inhabitants are an adult pair of lionheads, approximately 30 juveniles ranging in size from 2 cm total length to 6cm. I managed to find someone to take at least the same number , the first spawn had to be around 80 at a guess. The original inhabitants are still there, 2 glass catfish, 3 bristlenose, 6 white tip tetra (look like serpae), 1 red eye and 1 head and tailight tetra. As if the tank wasnt overcrowded enough the lionheads have had another spawn of roughly 30! Eventually the biofilter will just collapse at these levels.

Now for my options.

1. I have someone who I think will take all of the lionheads off my hands, possibly all the fish in the tank but not sure yet. So my option 1 and 1a would be to have a clear tank to restock or have the tetras, bn, and glass cats. In either case, I would be thinking of some small cichlids that WONT breed in the tank but not sure other than rams what would go into it.

2. Assuming all fish are gone, what Africans would work in a 3 footer. The plants would be eaten or destroyed I know but that would be ok if it happened. My 2 main tanks are Africans so I would already have the right conditioners etc to get the right conditions. Again it cant be pairs as I want no breeding at all (males as long as they dont kill each other maybe?). I also have a load of limestone rocks from a previous tank (around 50 kilos) to add in for Africans.

3. The person who is wanting the fish also suggested I sell him the entire 3 foot setup. This leads to next option of sell them all then get a new 3 foot setup. Disadvantage being that I would have to mature more filtration before I could begin to stock. Also as with option 2 I dont know what to stock it with. I would have to charge the guy roughly $400 to be able to set up a new one and not be much out of pocket, may be more than he is wanting to pay.

4. If I sell the entire 3 foot I could set up a brand new 4 footer in its place, be a bit out of pocket and have the filtration to restart but 6 weeks or so later have a new display tank. The area is right next to the tv and I end up watching the fish more than the tv at times.

Stocking would be easier than a 3 for the most part although I wouldnt mind trying some SA cichlids but that can be decided later if I was going for bigger fish. Also a canister is out of the question for me just now so wondering if a hang off the side filter would work or 2 similar sponge filters like I have already.

Comments and opinions welcome and appreciated.

[cooder]

Hi mate,

for a 3 fter i would put shellies or some other small africans (or americans) maybe even a few pairs of brichardi, good lookers and inexpensive.

also did you say your tap water is 8.5 ph?? that would mean that it would be quite hard water, ideal for tangs!!

if ure goin for a display i would use a canister (if uve got a cabinet) coz u wont be able 2 see i AND it will be really quite

if i was in your situation i would go option 3. ive been told that the bacterial cycle comes up ALOT quicker if uve got a couple of inexpensive fish in it. for EG. goldfish??

if you sell the whole setup it wont be as hard on your pocket to buy another tank aswell.

Just my opinion, Cody

[Priscacara]

Hi Cody, tx for the reply.

I just did a full set of tests on the water straight from the tap, ph 8.4, gh 40 ppm, kh 30 ppm.

If I go with a brand new setup I can take 1 of the filters out of my BN/chery shrimp tank to kick start it. Depending on what went in a couple of fish would be fine with it (its the 1 I used in the 3 foot tank originally).

I kept shellies for about 8 months and they were interesting but never got them to breed..................bit of a turnaround now that I have excess lionheads and P. saulosi in other tanks :-). I will have to avoid pairs though that could breed or I might end up overstocked again.

A canister filter may be out of my price rang for a setup at the moment bt would be my preference as well. It wouldnt be hidden but still good water turnover in them.

If the guy doesnt want the entire current 3 foot setup I just need to change the water parameters to suit what goes into it again. A 4 footer with my duboisi in it would be fun to watch but will have to wait and see. Then I would have another 4 footer to play with :-).