Lowlands/highlands/intermediates?

[wickmo]

Hey guys - got a question for you. I've just got a big 20gal aquarium from a friend and I am deciding upon whether I want to try to make this a highland tank, intermediate tank or lowlander tank (decisions decisions!!) I already have a lowlander tank which is doing great but I was wondering about changing things around for this one. What are the requirments for Intermediates? Are we talking keeping them as strict as highlanders with a night cooling period, or not? would being kept in high humidity levels and heat (ie say humidity 100% and temps in the low 80's to 90's during the day with drops to the 70's at night be harmful to the Intermeds?  what about hybrids? if i made this strictly another lowlander tank, are the hybrids with a lowlander and highland cross dependent on a drop in temperature at night (like their pure highland counterparts?), or is it because they  have a lowlander heritage, that they would prefer higher temps and  humidity?  I know i could look all this stuff up, but i figure i would come to the BEST sources of info (you guys!)  By the way, does anyone have preferances in terms of hybrids?  Thanks!
Nick    

 

[Capslock]

Nick,
I'd go with whatever you can easiest provide conditions for. Where is the tank going? What are the temperatures there if you put a light on it and did nothing else? 20 gal isn't all that big, so if you consider it a long-term solution, select smaller neps. The farther from your natural conditions you go, the more you have to do to provide the right conditions.

Capslock

 

[Clint]

my terrarium is 75 gallons and it's much too small IMO. some highlanders stay small longer, much much longer. and a 20 gallon tank is alot easier to cool than a large tank.

there are a few lowlanders that stay small , but you said you already have a lowland tank, so i would make it a highland tank, however i still think it's too small in the long run.

 

[The Griffin]

A 20 gal also heats up quicker and has less air movement than a 75, so I guess it depends on how you are going to cool/heat, ect. You may have to do a little of both, as the 20 degree night time drop is important for some highlanders, and they can take upper 70s as long as it is @60 at night.

Joe