Ideal setup

[Doedogg]

Since I have a couple of months to plan before I can afford a large tank (unless I can get my hands on a used one cheap), I might as well start asking questions. What would be the ideal setup?
1. ideal tank size (I don't think I could fit a 300 gal
2. substrait
3. light/heavy planting
4. companions

thanks,
Steph

[FMZ]

For one, I can tell you BGK need a lot of swimming space. You can start out with a 30 as a minimum and upgrade. If you have the space/money, I would go for nothing less then 125G

The like small substrate, but I think other people can confirm this. They also like lot of plants and lot of hiding places(caves, PVC pipes etc.)

Hope this help

FMZ

[Subatomic Disruption]

1. You will probably need a big tank for a BGK since they grow FAST. Recommended 100 g.

2. You probably mean substrate right? Basically most substrates are fine, only beware of those that can raise the pH (crushed coral, limestone and dolomite).

3. BGKs like to hide all the time during the day, so it will thrive best in a heavily planted tank but you need to read up on keeping plants. You could also use wood which will lower the pH of the water and may stain it brown with tannin acids but this condition is quite suitable for BGKs.

4. Any fish that is small enough to be eaten should not be kept (some BGKs are aggressive) with BGKs and aggressive fishes should also be avoided (cichlids and barbs). If you plan to keep tetras with a BGK, try not to keep small tetras like neons but keep bigger and more robust charachins like serpae and congo tetras.

[Perky]

I would say sand is good substrate as mine ploghs head first into the sand when food is about. He sees food and trys to grab it and misses sometimes and hits the sand

[Doedogg]

First, I apoloise for posting in the wrong spot, I thought helpline was for questions like I had.
Second, thanks for the info. Fortunately I do have a green thumb and plants shouldn't be a problem. The water around here is very soft and acidic (although I think the town buffers it higher) and driftwood staining it would be fine. I already knew about the hidy hole, I have been in search of the perfect one for quite a while. I even have my SIL looking.
I'm sure I'll have lots more questions.

Steph

[bryce2003]

I once saw a BGK set up that had 9 of them that were about 4in long. It was a heavily planted tank along the back and sides of the tank. It had a single stump in the middle that was full of holes. All the BGK's did was play and chase each other in and around the stump. It'd be awesome to do something similar.
Cheers,
Bryce.

[Sigmaphile]

Sub:
You said to add wood to lower the pH.
Just querying that. I keep all my BGK in water that has a pH of about 7.6.
I have never had any problems.
Just asking because the possibly sould be happier if I set up another tank just for them and lowered the pH.
What pH does everyone else use for them?

[FMZ]

BGK tend to like acidic water. Meaning range of 6.0 to 7.0

They can tolerate upto 8.0 though. Personally I have never added driftwood to lower pH. I think your BGK is fine as it is. Unless you think you need to do more for him, by all mean go get a driftwood or get him a new aquarium with lower pH

Hope this helps

[Subatomic Disruption]

Sigmaphile said:

Sub:
You said to add wood to lower the pH.
Just querying that. I keep all my BGK in water that has a pH of about 7.6.
I have never had any problems.
Just asking because the possibly sould be happier if I set up another tank just for them and lowered the pH.
What pH does everyone else use for them?

BGKs are generally tolerant of a wide range of pH IME, I am suggesting an acidic pH because that's the pH of where they originate, the Amazon basin. Who knows, maybe if BGKs are brought up in an alkaline environment, they might even thrive in it? I think generally BGKs can tolerate alkaline conditions, but like FMZ said, the limit is about 8.0. I keep mine in a about 7.2-7.4 and its thriving.

[Sigmaphile]

Thanks Guys for the replies.
I have 2 very large pieces of driftwood in the tank with my BGK. I use Calcium Carb to combat the lower pH.
They are fine but sometimes fish can survive in a certain enviroment but actually thrive in a different one. So just checking.
Thanks again

[bryce2003]

I have driftwood in my tank and it doesn't seem to lower the pH in my tank as it comes out of the tap at 7.4 or 7.5. I don't add anything to lower or make the pH levels increase in my tank, therefor my tanks pH being 7.4-7.5. It doesn't seem to harm them or the other fish and if anything all of the fish I have seem to thrive in the set up that I've got, this being evident in the colouration and activities of the fish. Just seems there is a comfortable balance in the tank, even in fish not normally suited to that pH level. I think that this applies to all fish in that the most important thing is to maintain an equal balance in the tank where they are all comfortable in their surrounds and with their tank mates and they will ultimately adapt to most water conditions
Cheers,
Bryce.