Re: NANFA-- first native tank, pumpkinseeds

Gordon James (gordonj_at_fundy.net)
Sun, 21 Apr 2002 00:58:37 -0300

Hi Paul.

I did pumpkinseed sunfish in my pond last summer.

Kids fed them grasshoppers from the yard.

----- Original Message -----
From: Crail, Todd <tcrail_at_northshores.com>
To: <nanfa_at_aquaria.net>
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2002 12:44 AM
Subject: RE: NANFA-- first native tank, pumpkinseeds

> Hi Paul,
>
> A great selection for specimens in a tank that size. I had my 125 set
> up with pumpkinseeds for a couple years and *really* enjoyed it, as did
> a lot of folks that came over to visit.
>
> I would go with 6-8 fish. If given an appropriate diet, you'll find
> that they will grow into size very quickly. Ray's suggestion of the
> shrimp is an excellent one, I used lfs bought frozen krill. Getting
> them switched over to pellets as a staple would be a good idea, use the
> shrimp as treats once a week. The 6-8 specimen count will account for
> destination size and will keep aggression to a minimum later. Try to
> get them all about the same size so they're growing together.
>
> It looks like you were looking at native plants... Very good thought.
> However, I should mention that wild plants can bring in a host of issues
> such as leeches, etc. As well, if you can see the plants there along
> the shore... Chances are they will not fare very well without making a
> serious dollar investment in lighting. With that in consideration....
>
> Hornwort can be a good choice for plants. It can take a beating, it's
> cheap and it's always available at your local fish stores (esp now that
> pond season is opening up in the north). It doesn't require an
> extensive amount of light, but I'd upgrade a bit on the lighting from
> the two 30 watters you have. If you're handy with wiring, you can pick
> up some 2 lamp 40watt ballasts for about $8 at a lighting supply.
> Waterproof end caps run about $12 a pair at any online mail order place.
> A good cheap lamp to use is the GE Daylight Ultra. These can be aquired
> at Home Depot for $6. 4 40 watters staggered would be sufficent to have
> it growing, and you'll be very impressed with the blues in the fish
> these lamps pick up.
>
> I don't think this many fish would tax the bioload at all if you had the
> hornwort all ready in the tank for a few weeks. They offer a lot of
> already cultured surface area for nitrifying bacteria.
>
> As a side note, and not one that gets mentioned very often... You *can*
> just start putting in flake food to cycle an aquarium without any fish
> involved. That way the bacteria set up on the food source (which is
> what they are ultimately converting), and are all ready to go when the
> animals arrive without having to expose the animals to any observable
> ammonia or nitrite.
>
> Somethings to consider... I think you're going to have a lot of fun with
> this aquarium :)
>
> Todd
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Paul Cezanne
> Sent: Sat 4/20/2002 11:40 AM
> To: nanfa_at_aquaria.net
> Cc:
> Subject: NANFA-- first native tank, pumpkinseeds
>
>
>
> I'm about to start on my first native species tank. It is very
> important to me to collect my first species, this is part of the joy of
> it for my wife and I.
>
> We live in Eastern Massachusetts, right outside Boston. From
> reading the Peterson's Field Guide and David Schleser's book (and
> speaking with him at the NEC conference a week ago) we've decided that
> we would like to collect and keep pumpkinseed Sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus
> )as our first first.
>
> The seem to be available in this area and from what I've read
> are a decent species to keep.
>
> We are somewhat lucky in that we were recently given a complete
> 125 gallon setup. We would like to use this for our native tank.
>
> I have a million questions, I'll try to ask some of them here
> but I'm sure I've forgotten a lot of things.
>
> I have read the brief thread at
> http://fins.actwin.com/nanf/month.9706/msg00044.html so there is no
> point in reposting those wonderful articles.
>
> I'm going to assume I can find this fish. My first trip will be
> to Spy Pond in Arlington just because 2 years ago I say something that
> from above may have been pumpkinseeds. (They could have been another
> sunfish, I might get out there tomorrow for a catch and release just to
> identify what is there.)
>
> So assuming that they are there, how many should I collect?
> (Complying with local laws of course...). The "1 inch per fish" rule
> says about 10 to 15, depending on where looked up the maximum size. I
> would like them to breed, but that presents its own set of problem which
> I've not entirely thought through yet.
>
> Should the tank be planted or not? I've read that it should and
> I've read that they are hard on plants. One web page even suggested
> weekly replantings! I'm pretty sure I'm not ready for that level of
> work.
>
> If I do collect a large amount, say 15, and they are small, say
> 2 inches, should I worry about cycling the tank? Remember, the tank is
> huge, 6 feet long. I have 2 Fluval 404s as filters and 2 36" florescent
> tubes for lights.
>
> How deep should the gravel be? I've read 6 inches for sunfish
> and I've read 2 inches. I don't know how much I have, I still haven't
> set up the tank yet. (It is in the back yard being leak tested.)
>
> I read that these both take flake or pelleted food and that they
> won't. I don't mind feeding microworms and white worms to my other
> fish, but big earthworms etc do make me a little squeamish.
>
> Well, I guess that that is enough babbling for now. I'll sit
> back and listen.
>
> Thanks!
> --
> pZ -- Paul Cezanne
> Please visit http://www.customline.com/peace/ and think about
> what is there.
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