First "big" tank

[weldon]

I found a 150G tank on Craigslist and finally decided to take the plunge into a larger tank. I'm pretty happy because I spent about the same amount of money that I would have on a new 55-70G setup from Petsmart.

Here's what I have...

Tank is 72"x18"x26"
Stand is 24" high with six paneled doors of solid wood.
72" light fixture with a single flourescent bulb
2 x Eheim 2217 cannister filters with noodles and filter pads
Penguin submersible powerhead
Ebo-Jager 250 watt heater (and another smaller heater)
a bunch of food, chemicals, nets, gravel vac, etc.
fake plants, decorations, and river rock

I'm excited to get all this set up and start cycling the tank so we can add fish. We currently have a 10G tank that's been running for two years in my son's room.

Our big plan is to do a planted tank with either sand or small "river" gravel.

I'd like to move our existing fish over to the new tank and add some more. Here's what we are starting with...

3 Long-finned Leopard Danios
3 "spotted" Cories
2 Ottos
1 Bushynose Pleco

I'd like to do something like this...

6 Danios
8 Cories
10 Cardinal Tetras (maybe Neons)
8 Black Skirt Tetras
3 Ottos
1 Bushynose Pleco
1 African Featherfin

Can I add Mollies or Guppies to a tank like this? I'd like to add some fish with rich red coloring to complement the browns, silvers, and neons. Any suggestions along those lines?

I'll post pics as soon as I can. My wife are going to refinish the stand this weekend (probably antique black with red burnishing showing through some distressing).

 

[nh5]

mollies and guppies would be nice to add they are opposite in ph though so your definately going to make sure your Ph stays very close to 7. Once the tank cycle completes try some rams, angels, silver dollars maybe they do get big but are harmless except to plants.

 

[weldon]

I thought Angels would eat the small tetras like cardinals or neons. And I would like to do a planted tank.

How about Platys? Some of those have nice red coloring. I don't know much about them though.

I looked at barbs too, but I've heard they're a bit aggressive towards other fish.

My son really wants a Black Ghost Knife, which I understand get quite large. I guess the tank is big enough for a knife, but will a knife eat smaller fish?

 

[Lupin]

I thought Angels would eat the small tetras like cardinals or neons. And I would like to do a planted tank.

They do.

How about Platys? Some of those have nice red coloring. I don't know much about them though.

Platies should not be a problem. They're pretty hardy but don't expect to obtain pure strains as there are also crosses with swordtail gene and these ones are a little bit more aggressive but nevertheless will be fine in a planted tank.

I looked at barbs too, but I've heard they're a bit aggressive towards other fish.

The word 'barbs' is very broad. What species were you talking about? Tiger barbs, tinfoil barbs, hampala barbs and arulius barbs should be avoided. Most of these will eat plants while others are potential fin nippers.

My son really wants a Black Ghost Knife, which I understand get quite large. I guess the tank is big enough for a knife, but will a knife eat smaller fish?

Your tank is fine for one but keeping a BGK with a community of small fish is not.

 

[Lupin]

I'd like to do something like this...

6 Danios
8 Cories
10 Cardinal Tetras (maybe Neons)
8 Black Skirt Tetras
3 Ottos
1 Bushynose Pleco
1 African Featherfin

What species is this African featherfin? I am guessing about Synodontis eupterus, correct? If so, they may eventually eye your tetras as foods which is something you should reconsider.

Can I add Mollies or Guppies to a tank like this? I'd like to add some fish with rich red coloring to complement the browns, silvers, and neons. Any suggestions along those lines?

Guppies > Mollies

Besides, mollies don't do well if your water is soft and acidic.

 

[doreenjoy]

If you're looking for lively little red fish that don't nip, try some cherry barbs.

 

[irishspy]

I found a 150G tank on Craigslist and finally decided to take the plunge into a larger tank.

Sounds like a fun project! Consider a school of "red wag" platys. (For an example, see my user pic) A school of roughly 8 in that tank would give you a nice splash of red and should be fine with the fish you currently have and are looking at. (I'm not familiar with African featherfins, however.)

And be sure to post pictures. :grinyes:

 

[weldon]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

The African Featherfin is Synodontis eupterus. Really pretty when young, but some research tells me that they are kinda drab as they mature. Still, I like the look of the high fin. Some other info on the net says that they can get along with smaller fish in community tanks, especially when they have been brought into the tank while still young.

Cherry barbs look nice, but I'm more drawn to the Platies. I was looking at "red wag" platies today, along with sunset. I saw the swordtail crosses too, but wasn't as drawn to those. The Red Wags are beautiful.

If the Bushynose and Featherfin are the "feature" fish for the lower layer, is there a good choice for a top or middle layer fish that will show up among the smaller schooling tetras? My son is interested in Bala Sharks (I've heard red tails are territorial and nasty to other fish), and Bichirs in addition to the BGK.

I'll post pics this weekend (or as soon as I get started on refinishing the stand).

 

[jpappy789]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

The African Featherfin is Synodontis eupterus. Really pretty when young, but some research tells me that they are kinda drab as they mature. Still, I like the look of the high fin. Some other info on the net says that they can get along with smaller fish in community tanks, especially when they have been brought into the tank while still young.

Cherry barbs look nice, but I'm more drawn to the Platies. I was looking at "red wag" platies today, along with sunset. I saw the swordtail crosses too, but wasn't as drawn to those. The Red Wags are beautiful.

If the Bushynose and Featherfin are the "feature" fish for the lower layer, is there a good choice for a top or middle layer fish that will show up among the smaller schooling tetras? My son is interested in Bala Sharks (I've heard red tails are territorial and nasty to other fish), and Bichirs in addition to the BGK.

I'll post pics this weekend (or as soon as I get started on refinishing the stand).

none of those, Im afraid, do well with smaller fish...balas I would rather in a larger tank, 180+

 

[Lupin]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

The African Featherfin is Synodontis eupterus. Really pretty when young, but some research tells me that they are kinda drab as they mature. Still, I like the look of the high fin. Some other info on the net says that they can get along with smaller fish in community tanks, especially when they have been brought into the tank while still young.

I wouldn't even give it a thumbs up with expensive cardinal tetras around. I have one here at 6 inches in length.

If the Bushynose and Featherfin are the "feature" fish for the lower layer, is there a good choice for a top or middle layer fish that will show up among the smaller schooling tetras? My son is interested in Bala Sharks (I've heard red tails are territorial and nasty to other fish), and Bichirs in addition to the BGK.

I'd stick with other species. Balas reach 12 inches and are too boisterous. What tetras are you planning to get? Angelfish would be my best bet along with deep-bodied tetras. As for bichirs and BGK, they will eat your tetras. Congo tetras at full-grown size would be your best bet but it's still risky with bichirs.