Planning a Community Tank

[itearian]

I'm planning on setting up a planted community tank in a few years. Can anyone tell me if this would be overstocking a 120g (48"x24"x24"). Also does anyone notice any problems that might arise from this combination. Any suggestions (additions, removals, subsitutions) would be great.

12-15 Cardinal Tetras
8-10 Black Neon Tetras
3-5 Diamond Tetras
6-8 Rummynose Tetras
6-8 Glowlight Tetras
4-6 Sterba's Cory
4-6 Otocinclus
2 Blue Ram Cichlid
2-4 Dward Gourami
1 Queen Arabesque Pleco

Its going to be a few years before this happens, and I want to make sure I get everything right before I get any fish.

[mr.amateur45]

im not a master, but i think u'd be okay.

[WinterWind]

I'm pretty sure all of thoe little tetras and the cat fishes won't at all be a problem. I don't see any problems.

[blueturq]

You should be ok.

In fact I would increase the schools of some of the fish that you listed, since your tank is VERY big, and because the more the merrier! :)

[WinterWind]

If I were you, I would cut down on the number of shoaling fish and go with only two large schools rather than a few medium-sized schools. That's just my preference though. :) Like instead of 5 small grouping fish you could have 2 schools of 20 each.

[vigu]

I think it looks great. I actually like the different kinds of schools your putting in, it will really make your aquarium stand out. Since its a 120g tank, they will more than enough room even if you want to introduce more fish in later.

[itearian]

WinterWind, which two would you go with. I do like the idea of having several different types, but if it makes the ones I have more comfortable, I would be willing to go with 2-3 types of tetras. As far as size, do several medium schools need more room than a couple large schools if the total number of fish are the same?

Does anyone think the rams would be too large for tetras.

Thanks for the suggestions

[MrAquarium]

I wouldn;t change that list unless it;s just adding it each group, most of them tetra's "as with most schooling fish" only school if they feel treatend. But I do know for a fact, cards & black neons, and glowlights will hang out together, I've seen it done in my tanks in the past.
Maybe a few Head Light Tail Lights would be cool, in a 125g they would get very nice sized, the one I have in my 75g is double the size of a neon.... Just make sure you have plenty of filtration, like a couple Emp 400s.....

[itearian]

If I got a 180 gallon (72x24x24) instead, would it be possible to add around 3-6 discus. Would this affect the tetras, make them more timid?

Does anyone know if pictus catfish would work in this tank, i've heard they pick off tetras sometimes.

[centralharbor]

If I were you, I would cut down on the number of shoaling fish and go with only two large schools rather than a few medium-sized schools. That's just my preference though. :) Like instead of 5 small grouping fish you could have 2 schools of 20 each.


i second this, i would pick rummynose, cardinal, and black neon =D

to my understanding, discus need extremely clean water, if this is a first tank, maybe you should hold off on discus for now

[blueturq]

Discus would be really cool in that tank, but they aren't exactly reccomended if you are new to the hobby.

I have heard bad things about pictus catfish.


12-15 Cardinal Tetras
8-10 Black Neon Tetras
3-5 Diamond Tetras
6-8 Rummynose Tetras
6-8 Glowlight Tetras
4-6 Sterba's Cory
4-6 Otocinclus
2 Blue Ram Cichlid
2-4 Dward Gourami
1 Queen Arabesque Pleco

Honestly whether it's a 120 gal or 180 gal, with this list- before you consider other fish, you can easily think of stocking within the list that you have, by increasing the numbers of your schooling fish.

Also, it's kind of funny because all of the fish that you listed are all from the same region (South America).. except for the dwarf gourami's (which are from Asia).

But if you aren't concerned with being "geographically accurate" then that will expand your options even further (in addition to your tank size lol).

That entire list sounds really good, other than as I and others have said expanding your schooling fish numbers.

Honestly, if I had tank that size, and were stocking it as a community style tank, then I would get Rainbowfish.

Look them up, I guarantee that there a more than a few species that would catch your eye, and that are probably readily available at your lfs. :)

Hope this helps at least a little bit! :D

[itearian]

Thanks for warnings about discus, if I ever go get some, I would make sure I had the tank established for awhile. By the time this happens I would have alot more experience. Eventually I would like to get some, but thats several years away.

I didn't intend to make almost everything from South America. I like alot of Asian fish, but they tend to be larger like clown loaches and bala sharks. Not for this aquarium. I really like the rainbows, but I'm afraid that they like cooler water than I would have (around 80).

Approx. how many small tetras/cories would be comfortable in a 180gallon?
Its silly to plan EXACTLY whats going to be in there, but I just want to get ideas right now.

[centralharbor]

Thanks for warnings about discus, if I ever go get some, I would make sure I had the tank established for awhile. By the time this happens I would have alot more experience. Eventually I would like to get some, but thats several years away.

I didn't intend to make almost everything from South America. I like alot of Asian fish, but they tend to be larger like clown loaches and bala sharks. Not for this aquarium. I really like the rainbows, but I'm afraid that they like cooler water than I would have (around 80).

Approx. how many small tetras/cories would be comfortable in a 180gallon?
Its silly to plan EXACTLY whats going to be in there, but I just want to get ideas right now.


it would be awesome if you got 20-30 cardinals, 20-30 panda cories and maybe a betta or something else for a centerpiece.

[OrionGirl]

I would go with only one or two types of tetras, and make sure they are different sizes as adults. Tetras will mix in with similar size shaped fish, and this ends up not looking as nice as a single, large school of one kind, IMO. Slightly bigger tetras will also help out if you end up adding discus, as discus will eat smaller tetras like neons. Will you be planting the tank?

I would NOT recommend adding pictus catfish with the intent of it just picking off the tetras--pictus are fairly predatory, and will go through the schools at night, soon removing all of them. Not a good plan.

[itearian]

I would definitly want to heavily plant the tank, but not so much it would make adding discus later on (if ever) impossible. I would want to get plants established before any fish go in. I few larger schools would probably work better. Man, its hard to decide which tetras to put in though, I really like them all. Cardinals for sure.

Thanks for the advice on the pictus, I didn't think they would be a good idea.

[vigu]

I dont know why everyones picking on the pictus. Sure they may not go well with small fish like tetra neons, but they make great community fish (if you go with slightly bigger fish). They´re also good bottom feeders, but the rainbow shark would be better.

[itearian]

What would work well with pictus? For a 180 gallon I have given some thought to a larger community tank. I dont know if bala sharks would do well in something that small. Maybe a tank built around clown loaches. Lots of time to decide.

I like all fish, just not every combination of fish

[vigu]

Well, if you want to place them with tetras, I heard that they go well with the Black Tetra, Large Bleeding Heart Tetra, Congo Tetra and Serpae Tetra. They also go well with most (if not all) livebearers. In general, they are good for a community tank, but you also have to consider that you cant set compatibility. Some will be different than others. From experience (also take note that Im no expert) the pictus cat is a very active fish. During the day, they tend to hide and lay on the gravel, but when it gets darker they like to swim all over the place (once I saw one jump from my tank into the air which looked kind of cool ;) ). Even though they tend to move a lot, I havent had any problem with mine, but they could get into fights with other bottom feeders if you place them together.