75g...my first attempt at a peaceful planted community tank...

Nubster

AC Members
Aug 6, 2011
29
0
1
Romney, WV
Real Name
Chad
After sitting empty for a couple years...I decided it was time to get something swimming in there. I really had to fight hard against the temptation of a predator type fish...another bichir, wolffish, big school of exodons...so finally I decided to go peaceful. Not sure exactly what I am stocking with...I know I want cory cats, some shrimp, and a large school or two of fish...one being something silver, the other...possibly a big school of neons or something. Anyways...tank has had water in it about a week, cycle is on the way, got some aquascaping done tonight...added a few plants...so here is how it sets at the moment. Not finished but on the way...let me know what ya think and I am open to suggestions and certainly welcome critique....

Don't mind the haze...I finished adding sand and rocks minutes before taking the picture.

Aquascape.jpg
 
This looks really lovely already - some great rock work that moves your eye across the tank. I definitely understand the predator-type tank urge; fish with personality have always drawn me in far more than just pretty ones. That being said, I've really come to appreciate what a beautiful shoal of fish in a lush tank can do for your mood, haha.

I personally don't love neons, simply because I think their colors are just too intense and in your face... so I'm going to give a vote for Congo tetras, Columbian tetras, Bleeding heart tetras, or Emperor tetras. All are unique fish that shoal and definitely catch your eye - not sure if you considered any of them yet!
 
Yes...I love all of those and have considered them...especially the bleeding heart. I also really like the Buenos Aries and red eyed tetra. I do want to try to stay with all <2" fish so I can have larger schools so that counts out a lot of the tetras...but also includes a lot of them as well.

Quick question on lighting...75g tank...I have four 40w 6500k T8 bulbs on it right now...is that enough, too much, just right? I plan on keeping lower light plants anyways and I don't want to mess with CO2. I can run two or three or all four bulbs with my fixtures.
 
Last edited:
I think Rummy Nose stays about 2 inches and they tend to stay in tight schools.
 
I'd do a school of Roselines (if it's in the budget!) I think they are one of the prettiest fish in the freshwater world. Maybe some Rainbows?
 
Very beautiful tank!! I would also agree with a school of roseline sharks. I have 6 in my 125 and they are awesome!!
 
WOOOOHOOOO!!!! I HAVE FISH!!!!!

Cycle finished about 8 or 10 days ago...I've been feeding the bacteria ammonia all week...5ppm to 0 over night, nitrites zero too...so I did a 60% water change this morning and went fish shopping. Came home with 10 black neons, 8 Glowlight tetras, and 3 oto cats. The cats are working on my diatoms and the tetras are schooling together nicely. Very excited to have some life other than snails in the tank.

I would like to maybe add a couple more otos once these settle in, some more black neons and Glowlights, and maybe one more school of small fish. I also plan on getting a school of cory cats...possibly three line. That will likely do it for my stocking. Just looking for some suggestions on the third school. I'd like to get the first two schools up to around 12-15 each. I was thinking possibly some zebra danios, but something with nice color would be cool as well. I just like the zebras cause the pattern would be a nice contrast to the other fish, plus they just seem like neat fish to watch. Still working on planting the tank a little at a time too.

Read more: http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/freshwater-aquarium/nubsters-75g-log-77358/page4/#ixzz1WkA9y3QH
 
AquariaCentral.com