suggestions for 75 gallon native tank

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Skyhawks85R

Skyhawks85R

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 23, 2013
45
1
8
Mukilteo, WA
Hi there I am new to this place and joined for fish help and further knowledge.

I am currently creating a project tank that is a 75 gallon USA native tank. As of right now I only have around 15 fathead minnows that I scooped up from a local pet store a few weeks back (couldn't resist from not getting them, there banned in my state but the store emplyoee was cool about giving me them:D:D). I have a fine grain sand and small pebbles for substrate as well as a few river rocks and two large pieces of aquarium wood to give the tank a lake edge/river feel. Current filtration is two large sponge filters rated for 125 gallons (one powered by a maxijet 1200 and the other air driven) and a aquarium fan in the bottom corner of the tank aimed upward to help circulate the cool-cold water (62-68 degrees). I do plan on adding a canister filter. Not sure if I should do a community style tank with daces, darters, and minnows etc or do a cool predator/species tank. If i go the latter route I would put the minnows in another setup. Any suggestions or experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
Hi skyhawks, Ill try to help as much as I can; 1st do you want to buy the fish or are you going to catch them, and second, what are the laws in Washington on keeping natives (can you and what type can you keep if you can?).
 
is the 75 going to be the biggest tank you buy? a blue gill or two would be neat. i have a few myself. if you go that rout, you will have to get a canister filter. they can be messy. for natives, you want a filter rated for at least twice the volume of your tank.craw fish would be neat too.
 
I am not fully aware of WA laws for native fish but I know my state is fairly strict for several species. That's something I need to be more informed on. If I collect locally the fish I pulled up around in my area would be, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, large mouth bass, black crappie, blue gill, pumpkin seed, rock bass, carp, stickleback, and brown or black bullhead.
 
Yes the 75 is my biggest tank. Would love a bigger tank but no space in my house unless I go in the garage. I am planning on getting a canister filter. Any recommendations on the brand?
 
I would recommend going towards minnows or sunfish. Bass and trout grow to large for your tank. Also you would need a chiller for trout as the do best kept below 58 degrees. If you go with sun fish i would recommend looking primarily at the Enneacanthus or lepomis genus's as they contain some over the smaller members of the family.
 
I currently have two 75 gallon native tanks up and running. One is a longear sunfish tank with a few creek chubs as well and the other is a planted native minnow tank with shiners, darters, and daces. I've caught most of my fish myself but purchased some of the smaller ones. Check out my YouTube videos to see what I did with mine. The link is in my signature. I love both types of tanks for different reasons.
 
Skyhawks85R said:
Yes the 75 is my biggest tank. Would love a bigger tank but no space in my house unless I go in the garage. I am planning on getting a canister filter. Any recommendations on the brand?
Click to expand...

both Pumpkinseeds and Rockbass would be cool for a tank but you cant put many in a 75g, if you don't mind buying fish online Longears, Spotted, Shadow Bass, and Dollars would be best for a 75 g aquarium; the best brands Ive heard for canister filters would be Fluval, Eheim and what I use Rena/Filstar.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom