What would you put in a 120?

[Sting]

I've convinced my parents to get me a 120 G. The thing is, I've got a 40 G Angel community tank, and even a little 10 Gallon Neon tank! Now that I'm moving on up, I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions or recommendations to LARGE fish for a 120 G? I am looking for a clean, plantless (LOL I have 2 tanks with plants I am done with plants LOL!), rock-ey and root-ey tank with large schooling species. I was considering something along the lines of Tinfoil Barbs, Bala Sharks, and Silver Dollars, but I'm not sure yet. I love schooling. Seeing schooling fish makes me so happy! LOL! The thing is, I also want color. I have considered cichlids, because of their color and river-fish-looking features, but I really want schools- not aggression!

It would basically be a sand substrate, covered completely with rocks or assorted size and shape, with mangrove roots (I tend to like those kinds). You can imagine yourself what it'd look like, can you suggest anything?

And don't limit yourself to my guidelines, I am not a closeminded person and am open for ANYTHING at all!

Thanks a lot!

[Pagipoo]

had same question for a 125 earlier an did not get many replies either.

we are starting out with bala shark's:D we have 4 bala's in a smaller tank and moving them, to the bigger tank.

not sure if going with tin foils or other schooling fish to be tank mates for the bala's

[Sting]

Are you keeping any plants? Are they real or fake? What is your setup? And how fast are the balas growing??

[Pisces]

If it were me, I'd love to have a community tank of that size...so many possibilities and so much color! You could have shoals of different kinds of colorful tetras such as glow lights, black neons, lemon tetras, congo tetras, jewel tetras and so on. Danios such as the pearl, leopard, giant or zebra. Barbs such as the cherry barb or long-finned rosy barb. You could add some livebearers if you want. Add a few interesting fish such as a clown loach, red-tailed shark, gourami, coolie loaches and so on. Rainbowfish are beautiful if you can find them. Just giving you some ideas.
If you want big and colorful fish, there's always discus to consider. Have fun shopping!:D

[Tightdog1]

you shoukd have a breeding pair of like green terrors or like red devils, now that would be awesome, you may even be able to have some silver dollars

[Pagipoo]

Right now we have 3 of the balas in a 46 bow front, the 1 small agressive bala is in a 40 g with 5 kissing fish until we get the 125 cycled. The 2 larger balas are 6.5-8 inches and the smaller 2 are 4-5 inches. I got the bigger ones about a year ago from a pet superstore, they were only about 3 inches or less (small $2 each).

We got a pretty good deal on the whole set-up, looks like a used show. Running a wet/dry (about a 20 gallon sump w/ pump) and bio balls and a reverse flow UGF for the time being. DH knows more about that, couldn;t find my Drs foster/smith book to describe it. he takes care of filters/pumps, I do the fish.

The only plants are fake and really long that run from the bottom and float several inches across the top , not going to do real ones in that big a tank. Got the mangrove roots and stumps for decoration, neutral colored gravel/rock w/ a small bag of green mixed in just for a little color.

Still not sure what to put in with the balas yet, have a 6" angel that might move in with them.:confused:

[125gJoe]

What would you put in a 120?


For me, I'd have 10 to 12 Discus.... :)

http://pic4.picturetrail.com:80/VOL59/715239/1597696/18742905.jpg

[Ledslnger]

I like Mojo's Red Tiger motoguense(not sure of spelling) they would make for some nice fish. Otherwise, I would go with some nice African peacocks like some Ngara flametails.

[Frank_Carr]

My idea for such a tank would be a school of bala sharks and/or a school of tinfoil barbs. I'd also throw in a pleco or a school of larger corys. And, to top it off, something unusual like an elephantnose, baby whale, or black ghost knifefish (I've become partial to the elephantnose myself).

If you wanted to go with smaller fish, 20+ neons or cardinals should provide quite a show. Cherry barbs are another good and colorful choice.

[NickH]

I was considering something along the lines of Tinfoil Barbs, Bala Sharks, and Silver Dollars, but I'm not sure yet. I love schooling. Seeing schooling fish makes me so happy! LOL! The thing is, I also want color. I have considered cichlids, because of their color and river-fish-looking features, but I really want schools- not aggression!

I think a Jurupari or 2 would go perfect with what you have in mind. Slow growing, very mild-mannered cichlids that eat by sifting through the substrate. A great "centerpiece fish" which will leave others alone and just go about it's business.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/species/db.cgi?db=fresh&uid=default&ID=0340&view_records=1

Just my opinion. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[geo]

i'd definetly get a couple pike cichlids of the same species and give them lots of caves and hiding places, driftwood etc.

[GobyGuy5]

I skimmed over the thread, so I think no one has suggested this, I would SOOO do an African Cichlid Tank, you don't need plants, just like you wanted, and you wouldn't have any trouble putting together an awesome tank of color and excitement

Just an idea :D do what best suits your tastes!

[fish dude]

get a school of rbp's or discus...not together!

[Shay]

If you are wanting a clean look, consider a single species tank. To me, nothing looks nicer than a healthy population of fish living in an environment made specifically for them. This is especially nice if you want to change your tank set up every few months.

Angels, discus, tin foil barbs, silver dollars, monos. All of these would work, and all can be traded in almost evenly for smaller fish after you've kept them for about six months.

For fish of this size, I would suggest an *almost* single species tank, with an appropriate smaller fish to grab the missed food.

-Shay

[slipknottin]

I wouldnt go with any of the larger fish such as balas or tinfoils.

These fish need room to swim, and as big as a 120 seems, its still only a 4 ft long tank.