New to forum

[Elad]

Hey everyone,
I'm new to the forum though I've been checking the website out for awhile.
I'm 41 and I've been in the hobby for 21 years, more or less, and have progressed from just having fish to really working to create habitats that are healthy, from the fishes point of view. My interests are in stable community tanks and biotopes. Recently I have created a 33 gallon catfish biotope, in the sense of being specifically designed for cats and others bottom dwellers though the species come from differing geographic locals, and hope to learn a lot from everyone.
As soon as the tank was completed I began thinking "it needs to be in my 75 gal. "
I don't have access to a digital camera as yet but am working on it.
Hope we have fun,
Dale

[Silurus]

the species come from differing geographic locals

What species are you thinking of mixing? They may not do well in identical water conditions.

[Elad]

Thanks Silurus,
I have several tanks that are morphing right now so it is a haphazard mix but soon I will be able to switch things around again.
That was one of the Q's I was going to ask. I plan to do more research and will probably settle for a specific region in time (or more tanks ).
Right now I have:
Two Cory's (Julii) from an old tank, am thinking of adding more if appropriate.
A twig catfish
A Banjo catfish
Two oto's
An elephantnose. I know, not a cat, but it acts like one (definately moving to the 75)

I am interested in a B.N. pleco but have heard there could be aggression issues so I am waiting to move the E.Nose.

As I said, I am open to suggestions as I want what is best for the fish and have only just begun to seriously consider the cats as a focal point all their own (plenty of room to learn).

[bronzefry]

Welcome, Elad!

[MatsP]

I am interested in a B.N. pl*co but have heard there could be aggression issues so I am waiting to move the E.Nose.

B.N. Pleco = Ancistrus "Bristlenose" species, yes?

If so, they are very gentle towards other fish. They only get aggressive if they are sitting on eggs and some other fish tries to get in there to get the eggs/fry. This shouldn't be a problem with other fish that aren't specifically trying to get into the breeding cave, which they usually learn quite quickly that it's a bad idea.

As Silurus said, the most important factor to consider is what water parameters (pH and hardness, primarily) the different species want, not where they originate from. A soft-water specie from asia will live quite happily with another soft-water specie from the amazon river, but a hard-water fish from Africa will not be happy in the same environment as a soft-water from Africa.

--
Mats

[Elad]

Thanks Mats,
Yes I meant a Bristlenose, the info is good to know. I'll move my Q's to the appropriate sections now. Thanks for the warm welcome everyone .

[kev]

welcome to the forum

kev