- Messages
- 3
First off hello, I'm new to the forum but not new to the hobby or Apistos.
I got into fish keeping in HS around 10 years ago and learned fairly quickly. My senior year I happened to go to a fish auction and won a trio of wild caught Pandas. They were striking fish with a lot of personality but they didn't thrive in my aquarium probably due to (or lack of) the equipment in my budget.
So after going away for school I finally have a steady job and cash to blow I've decided on setting up a real nice Apisto tank. I'd like it to be in the 120 gallon range. I'm thinking about a planted tank with some aquarium safe wood in it. and maybe 10 or so Tetras or similar schooling fish, a small Pleco (meaning one that won't grow two feet), and maybe 2 or 3 Apistos. I have some questions though:
1) Any suggestions or comments on my fish selection? Can I add more or should I keep less?
2) I've read some posts and people rave about DI/RO units but does the resulting water have a negative effect on live plants? And do you treat the water even after it comes from the DI/RO unit? Could you share your water treatment method and could you point me to some quality units?
3) I've also read about protein skimmers, what are their benefits? Do they have a negative effect on live plants? Could you point me to some quality units?
4) Which substrate is the best to use with live plants?
5) What kind of filtration do you recommend taking into account the live plants, protein skimmer and water requirements?
Thanks to any and all responses!
I got into fish keeping in HS around 10 years ago and learned fairly quickly. My senior year I happened to go to a fish auction and won a trio of wild caught Pandas. They were striking fish with a lot of personality but they didn't thrive in my aquarium probably due to (or lack of) the equipment in my budget.
So after going away for school I finally have a steady job and cash to blow I've decided on setting up a real nice Apisto tank. I'd like it to be in the 120 gallon range. I'm thinking about a planted tank with some aquarium safe wood in it. and maybe 10 or so Tetras or similar schooling fish, a small Pleco (meaning one that won't grow two feet), and maybe 2 or 3 Apistos. I have some questions though:
1) Any suggestions or comments on my fish selection? Can I add more or should I keep less?
2) I've read some posts and people rave about DI/RO units but does the resulting water have a negative effect on live plants? And do you treat the water even after it comes from the DI/RO unit? Could you share your water treatment method and could you point me to some quality units?
3) I've also read about protein skimmers, what are their benefits? Do they have a negative effect on live plants? Could you point me to some quality units?
4) Which substrate is the best to use with live plants?
5) What kind of filtration do you recommend taking into account the live plants, protein skimmer and water requirements?
Thanks to any and all responses!