King of the Mountain

[chelms166]

Hey ya'll. It seems like forever since I last posted on this forum. Anywayz, the reason I'm posting now is because my two biggest clowns (about 5"/3yrs old) are constantly dueling it out in my little 40g tank. I have 6 clowns all together and I know it's gotta feel cramped in there even more so since those two started going at it. A couple of my cl's i got about a year ago still look small and puny compared to another couple I got around the same time period. I'm hopeing that a relief in the tension might allow for the smaller loaches to get some weight on them. My wife told me she wants to buy a bigger tank. I would love to get a 100g tank except I know it's going to cost quite a bit for a new set up.
So I guess I'm asking for the advice of the forum as to 1) what I should do about the dominance issue and 2) what a good price is on a 100g setup? I live in the Seattle, Wa area (Bremerton, Wa) if anybody knows any good places around here.
If any one would like any additional info just let me know. Don't ask me about tank parameters because I don't have a kit at home right now and I won't be able to run to the LFS any time soon. Thanks to everyone for being here. Feels good to be back. TTYL.

[Diana]

A larger tank could sure help. It would give everyone more room to move around. The change in scenery can help, too. The bossiest fish feel so at home that they are claiming it all for themselves. A new set up, different layout, and they will have to start all over with claiming some territory. Take a tip from Cichlid keepers: Put the less dominant fish into the new tank first to find a place they can call their own, and to get to know the hide outs. (Make sure there are extra caves and so forth)

Try places like Craigslist for cheaper prices. Tanks are worthwhile there, but the least expensive usually come with older or inadequate filter and so on. I would start with the idea that an empty tank is worth around $1 per gallon. Stand and filter etc can easily double that for some basic sorts of stuff, triple it for quality material.
Prices in the stores will likely be double whatever you find on Craigslist.

[Rocco]

You will definitely need to upgrade your tank to a much bigger one. Suggest 150 gallons.

[newshound]

the larger the tank the better for us loach nuts!!!
it really is all about footprint size though.
I hope that your current tank is over filtered and stuffed with wood rocks etc (hiding places).