Are the future occupants of my 150 OK?

[Jamie]

20 - rasboras (het)
20 - rummy nose
10 - Hatchets
4 - Rams
6 - Angels
4 - Zebra Loaches
2 - Farlowelas
10 - Amano Shrimp
?? - Flying Foxes/Ottos...any suggestions

My desired effect is to have large groups of schooling fish. Hatchets for the top of the tank. Rummys and rasporas in the middle, Rams and loaches on the bottom. Angels all over, Farlowellas and shrimp as clean up crew plus who ever else. I'm not too sure how well the loaches will get along with the rams. From what I know, the rams are peaceful. wouldn't it be great if they bred. Is this load too much for my tank, are there any discrepencies? BTW my tank is 5ft X 2ft X 2ft (150 gallons) to be heavily planted with 30 gallon sump containing 9 gallons of bioballs.

 

[ChilDawg]

I wonder if the loaches won't eat the shrimp, but I think that it sounds good for a tank. Just make sure to cover the tank well as Hatchets are inveterate jumpers.

If you have Farlowella spp. plecos in the tank, I wouldn't put too many other algae eaters in there, and I'd be ready to put some supplemental veggies in for them. Ottos would probably be helpful, though, and I wouldn't discourage adding them with the Farlowellas.

 

[OrionGirl]

Be prepared for a little bit of tusseling with the angels. They will probably pair up, and may breed, which can cause some conflicts. You'll have plenty of space, so it will mostly be the pair chasing anyone who comes too close away.

I too would be careful with the loaches and shrimp. 10 amanos won't make a big dent in algae in a 150, and they may become snacks. And--even if they work out for a while, this may change as the fish mature. I had amanos in with my dwarf puffers for a full year with no problems. Decided to add 5 more shrimp to the herd, and by the next morning, the puffers has killed off all 10 of them. Hard lesson to learn.

Not sure if you'll be able to have 2 schools in the same level, especially with closely sized fish. If you were to pick tetras that were differently sized, they would probably school better. As is, similar sized fish will likely school together.