[HONDO]

So I gave up on the 180 gallon project I started 8 months ago. Just dont have time for a fixer upper.

I purchased and am picking up tonight a used 150 gallon tank, stand, lid, lights etc. Very excited.

My question is about my eventual scape... It will house my chocolate and 3 keyholes. I am set on driftwood, floating anubias and a rock or two. My issue is substrate. I love pool filter sand, but I want to do a chocolate specific setup and I would like to go with a darker color substrate. I hear it is good to keep them from getting nervous as they sometimes can be.

Second substrate issue, I will be changind water into a sump pump to pump it out of the basement sand scares me. i guess i will go with gravel.

what colors of gravel are out there that you guys think would best fit the setup i tried to describe?

I am open to any and all thoughts.

 

[scarhbar]

Actually I think some small/medium grained substrate would work perfect! Not quite sand sized, but smaller than normal gravel. I am not sure on how to explain it, so I will post a link of what size I mean

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/p ... catid=9087

I know that stuff is for plants, and has nitrates that can cause algae to grow way too easy, but I use it in my tank and it works great for my Rams and Angels. It is big enough that it would not get sucked up in your sump (except for a few lighter peices, and when you initially put it in), but small enought that the fish can dig, and spawn, ect... If you would like to see how it looks in my tank, here is a link

I mixed it with some normal smooth gravel (I forgot why though :lol: haha ). I'm sure you can find some around your area, that is not too pricey (I got mine for about $10 cheaper than the website at my LFS), that is dark enough for your Chocolates. I have actually not raised Chocolates or Keyholes, but I know that the most SA cichlids will appreciate darker gravel. I'm sure the Chocolate would love it! BTW, I'm 17, so if my voice sounds weird in that video, that is why!

Hope I could help a little! Look for my question I'm posting soon, about sexing Rams!

 

[HONDO]

cool stuff. thank you.

 

[scarhbar]

Welcome! Post some pics when you set it up!

 

[adam79]

. I love pool filter sand, but I want to do a chocolate specific setup and I would like to go with a darker color substrate. I hear it is good to keep them from getting nervous as they sometimes can be.

What is the reasoning behind this? I've heard it before, but never understood. Does it have something about shadows on lighter substrate.

I say, go with what you like. I think play sand will give you more options for additional stocking. What if you want to add some eartheaters? I would think if your sump is designed right and your carefull, you should't have any problems. Any debris should settle before it reaches the pump chamber. I ran a very basic sump on my 125 with silica/pf sand for years and never had any issues and I'm pretty reckless. :lol: Maybe, if your chocolate allows it, build up a matte of floating plants to diffuse the light. Should serve the same purpose of calming your fish.

What are your plans for additional stock?

 

[HONDO]

When I say sump pump, I dont mean filtration... I mean literally that I will drain the tank water into my basement sump pit to pump it out of the house. I could be wrong that its bad for sand to go into a sump pump, but I assume it probably isnt great.

I kind of feel differently than alot of people and think gravel is easier than sand. You cant see all the waste etc that may build up and you dont have to be really careful when you vac/siphon. I think I am leaning towards a darkish, brown, natural color gravel. I dont know, i keep changing my mind.

Its not been my experience that my choco needs something to calm him down, rather, everything I read says dark substrate makes them happier. What do you think Adam79? If I am not mistaken, you have Chocolates.

Thanks guys. By the way, I will be working on setting the tank up some this weekend, will post pics.

Stocking plans are my chocolate and 3 keyholes... thats it. I think I want to maybe add some more keyholes, but other than that, just a large school of tetras. Im thinking Bleeding Hearts because they get bigger than pretty much every other tetra available locally.

I WOULD LOVE STOCKING SUGGESTIONS/IDEAS!!