Now this is really missing the point............... or is that the joke? lmfao

Hi all I can guarantee there were only two plec's in the tank and only ever have been (bar the new edition!). It may be posible that both plec's were bristle nose's I don't know but the tank was running as a sealed system apart from tap water going in so I doubt there was a fry introduced by mistake ...

Well see this is my thought. A 6x3x2 is 1000 litre basically so half of my stock is going to be moved in to a tank more an twice as big. It's going to be better for the cats because financially it can be done almost straight away and it's better for my wallet as I started at (including filtration ...

Ok, Aquariums ltd will do me a 72" x 36" x 24" tank with glass sliders and hood for £507 delivered. That sounds like a plan to me unless someone tells me it's a bad idea. The only other alternative is to go 96" x 48" x 24", don't know the price but it will allow for the cats to grow to 24"'s.

I understand about the dirt Mats, it's just to me as this is likely to end up being a large cichlid tank in the end it makes sense to keep the costs down in my mind.

Think I'm going to see what sort of cost 72x36x24 will be.

Ok so why don't I go for 72 x 36 x 24 for my 3 guys and that will see them through to 18"-20"?

The tank made out of 10mm glass has a 3 year guarantee Mats.

Also guys time scales for my 3 to grow 6"'s?

Ok, I've just spoken to Aquariums Ltd. They will do a 96x30x24 tank (in 10mm glass) with cabinet and hood for £801.20! Considering the stock for it (a giant giraffe cat, redtail x shovel nose hybrid cat and the big plec) which are all 12" - 14" currently, how long are they going to be ok in there ...

Well first and foremost guys I need to ask, I was informed that a tank needed to be twice as wide as the longest fish in there, is this the case cause this is the reason I was looking at a three foot wide tank so the cats could get up to 18-20" with out issue. :?: If this isn't the case I may not ...

Martin

Their tanks look good as well but still potentially an issue with width, not sure.

Sorry to be picky Mats Aquariums.ltd.uk max is 96 x 30 x 30 Glasscages.com do a 96 x 36 x 25 which is probably an idea size but they do not do a cabinet or hood for this (max is 96 x 30) and I hate to think of the shipping cost to get it here. I've rung seabray and left a message. The reason I am ...

..... and I was wondering if this sounds right as I have a relative lack of experience.

The tank;

96" x 36" x 30", including cabinet and hood - £3070

On site building charge - £450

Is that about right or not?

Dave

Metinks someone has missed the point!

Martin S wrote:I'd say yes, pretty much...except lots more of it, and much bigger pieces!

Now even novis boy over here worked that one out lol

Ok so really just more of what I have in the 450?

Oh I'm sure, I'm just looking at the gap it's going in think jesus it's going to be huge! lol

Any suggestions for rocks, plants, wood, gravel/sand etc for the new one?

Well the 3 of them need the tank, that is obvious and as they are my responsibility that's what they are going to get.

Oh don't get me wrong once they've grown a bit it'll be fine but to my eye the 450 looks just about stocked at the moment so taking less than half of it's inhabitants and putting them in a tank 4 times as big will look slightly bizarre for the first few years but they'll grow in to it. lol

I'm please you've confirmed what I was thinking about my stock. I thought it would make sense to leave the jacks and oscar in the 450 and move them up when the cats move out of the custom tank. Hmmmm, it's going to be interesting, 1600 litre tank, 3 fish lol. I could take on some more big plec's I ...

Well thanks anyway for all the assistant. I've been told 6-8 weeks wait for the tank and I recon my guys have a maximum of 6 months left in the 450 now so I'll order it in July just to be on the safe side. I'm gonna have to take part of the new kitchen I've build apart to house the new tank for a ...

Thanks for the info Mats. A sump certainly seems to be the best way to go however I'm not sure I have the skills to build one! I don't fancy the idea of cutting holes in a £2000 tank! Apparently my LFS uses the same guy that does the sea life centre to build custom tanks so perhaps I'll have them ...

Guys

Just got this shot of my hybrid, thought I'd share it.

Well to be honest Mats it's something I need to look in to. I only really seriously started looking at this a few days ago. We have a sensible plan that will work for the fish now which is to get this custom tank built for my current tank mates (I'm not sure weather to leave the big cichlid's in the ...

Well I'm glad the water isn't terrible! As I say it's due for a change this weekend anyway. I'll test the tap water when I get the chance.

My biggest problem is room now. We're looking at an interim 8' x 3' x 2' 6" custom tank that probably needs ordering with in the next few weeks!

Right guys just to close this one off for now. Thanks for all the advice. I have decided it is best to wait until I have my indoor pond build before looking to home an RTC. More urgently my 2 existing cat's are getting to the limit of my existing tank so an interim tank needs to be ordered pretty ...

Yes I know the cats are getting to the limit of the tank. I do eventually want an indoor pond and once it's in I'm going to get a zebra shovel nose and an RTC but they will have to wait for now. I've spoken to my LFS and they are suggesting an 8' x 3' x 3' interim tank to house them for the next 3-5 ...

Yes Mats you guessed right!

Ok, new test kit.

Ph - 7.2
GH - 180 mg/l
KH - 80 mg/l
Nitrite - 0 mg/l
Nitrate - 70 mg/l

Time for several big water changes?

I've just tested the tap water, think the kit is up the wall, off to the LFS now!

Well ok, maybe not zero lol but according to the test I've just run it's less than 5mg/l. As I say it is a couple of weeks since fresh water last went in.

Right if this helps I've just tested the water. It's due for a clean this weekend so this should in theory be the worst time for the water quality. I'm pleased to report I have zero amonia, zero nitrites, zero nitrates and a ph of 7.2. As the readings seem ok should I sick to my stardard pattern and ...

Guys Please don't get upset if I am not providing my fish with the best care possible, please bare in mind I am posting this thread to see if I am and if not what I should be doing because I care about my fish. I am concerned reading threads on here that certain areas of what I do with my tank are ...