30 gallon cube stocking

[Fishlock Holmes]

Well, after doing several different things, I'm back to an empty tank. Long story short, I got a pair of kribensis on an impulse (they were some of the most gorgeous kribs I've seen), but they upset the balance of everything, and I've moved everyone from the cube into different tanks. No worries, they're all doing well, even the 50-odd baby kribensis I now have. But now I'm left with an empty tank to fill.

No more impulse buys this time, lol! I'm going to plan what I want and stick to it. I need to keep in mind the height of this tank. So far, I'm thinking:

TOP: ?????

MIDDLE: 2 peacock gudgeons, small school of something... maybe harlequin rasboras?

BOTTOM: 4-5 dwarf chain loaches or panda cories

In the long run, I intend to keep this tank fairly heavily planted. Right now I have 4 Amazon swords and 4 java ferns, just started. I really want something super tall, like some vals maybe, for in the back. Also something short for the foreground.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[NB_Aquatics]

TOP: Not sure

MIDDLE: don't know much about gudgeons, but for the schooling fish i think rummynose are cool little guys.

BOTTOM: Panda corys! I really like some rams in there too but im not sure what your footprint is for the tank. Mine go great with my panda corys.

 

[prez06]

the rasboras are a really nice looking fish when they color up. i have 5 in my 40b and plan on adding 5-7 more. they are fun to watch, and a little more personable than things like neons. corys are also a good idea; might i recommend julii cories if you haven't seen those. they are pretty readily available, at least in this area, and look really cool imo. as far as tallish plants, you can't go wrong with stem plants. many are readily available on the classified forums here, and under the right conditions will just explode. there are tons of different types to choose from. i don't even know the names of all the ones i have, lol.

 

[Fishlock Holmes]

MIDDLE: don't know much about gudgeons, but for the schooling fish i think rummynose are cool little guys.

I forgot about rummynose, but I do love them. I could be wrong, but I think I remember reading that they were a little more sensitive. I'll have to read some more.

BOTTOM: Panda corys! I really like some rams in there too but im not sure what your footprint is for the tank. Mine go great with my panda corys.

You know, I used to have a pair of rams a while back and loved them. Maybe I should get another pair again... And yes, I'd never seen panda cories until a couple weeks ago but they were so stinking cute! Glad to know the rams would do well. Thanks!

 

[Fishlock Holmes]

as far as tallish plants, you can't go wrong with stem plants. many are readily available on the classified forums here, and under the right conditions will just explode. there are tons of different types to choose from. i don't even know the names of all the ones i have, lol.

At the risk of sounding like an idiot, what do you mean by stem plants? I'm new to the planted world, and only know of the very few I keep in my tank, lol!

 

[prez06]

whereas plants like anubias or crypts grow more in a "bush" like fashion, stem plants grow in a "tree" like fashion. look up species like moneywort, ludwigia, or rotala for more popular stem plants. they're very diverse, and a favorite of mine for background plants.

 

[tanker]

If you do not want danios for the top, how about some brass tetras. My Brass tetras stay at the top.

 

[Fishlock Holmes]

whereas plants like anubias or crypts grow more in a "bush" like fashion, stem plants grow in a "tree" like fashion. look up species like moneywort, ludwigia, or rotala for more popular stem plants. they're very diverse, and a favorite of mine for background plants.

Okay, that makes sense. I'll do some research on stem plants that would do fine with low lighting. Thanks!

 

[tomany]

What about Hatchetfish for the top?

 

[Fishlock Holmes]

What about Hatchetfish for the top?

Why didn't I think of those lol? They're definitely an option. I like the marbled ones.