here's the deal: I'm starting out with a single tank (a 55 gallon) to prove myself...
then, my teacher will allow me to run one of the big ponds (500g)
I started the tank with africans, four of each-labs, pearlmutts, red zebras, and albino socolofi- but in preperation for Ike, the teacher (Mr. wallack) took off the cover, allowing the sunlight to enter more than usual, killing about $87 of cichlids.... only one red zebra survived, and she is home now,..... havent seen her yet....
I redid the tank, anput in 6 black angelfish, using "pre-cycled" gravel.... It has been one day, and they all seem perfectly fine...... for now...... still a work in progress, but I need a bio-wheel like pump of apropriate size, for what it has now is a small one, and a strong bubbler..... plenty of oxygen, combined with the few live plants I added
In the 500 gallon pond, I'm hoping to stock it with african mbuna (so far Ive decided on labs, and albino socolofi.... any more suggestions?) to avoid predatation from haps (venustus, ahli, etc). more news coming.
P.S. I did give Mr. wallack the club's website,
Welcome to the Gold Coast Aquarium Society of South Florida !!