First "big" tank

[weldon]

I THINK angels and cardinals are fine but neons are a tad bit skinnier so there is a possibility of being eaten...

Also I would up the numbers...remember, you have 150 gallons worth of space

That sounds good. I'm seriously thinking about Angels now. It sounds like 2 males would be OK in the tank, along with some females. Koi Angels look pretty.

I'm a big fan of reverse-flow Undergravel filtration (RUGF), you could drive it with one of the canisters.

For substrate, cheap/easy is General purpose Gravel, usually found in the masonry section of HD/Lowe's etc. Needs well rinsed, but it's cheap and looks great; very natural(cuz it IS)

I might do gravel, but I really think I'm going to do sand in this tank, so RUGF won't work in that setup. I'm looking for pool filter sand but might just use play sand.

Red tail black shark is far different from rainbow sharks. The albino form you often see is a rainbow shark.

The Red Tail shark is what I was thinking of earlier. I might do something like that if I can provide a good hiding place for him.

 

[Caius]

Bummer. Any other suggestions for something in the "shark" family that won't eat all my small fish?

I'm throwing out an idea here that I don't have any personal experience with, maybe someone else can tell us whether they are aggressive with community fish. I think flying fox have a shark like look to them.

 

[Lupin]

I'm throwing out an idea here that I don't have any personal experience with, maybe someone else can tell us whether they are aggressive with community fish. I think flying fox have a shark like look to them.

The true Siamese algae eaters would be your best bet.

 

[weldon]

The true Siamese algae eaters would be your best bet.

I've looked for these, but my LFS never has them. The LFS that seems to be the most knowledgeable says that their distributor/breeder doesn't have them on the order list any more. I think I'd like them, but I'm happy with the Otos.

I checked out some of the other "shark" choices like the silver-tipped shark and so on, but they appear to have a big enough mouth that they would munch on the smaller tetras.

So maybe a red fine black shark would be OK if he has room to stake out his territory. We'll see what my son wants to do.

 

[Reddog80p]

You could get some Densonii barbs aka roseline sharks aka torpedo barbs. The are a bit pricey but absoluetly stunning. They look great in planted tanks, they get to about 6". I have 6, and they school.

 

[weldon]

Those Densonii barbs look great. They get up to 6" huh? Are they fin nippers like some of the other barbs (tiger barbs) can be?

 

[Caius]

The are a bit pricey

I'll say. I've only seen them at an LFS once, they wanted over $90 for full size fish! From what I've read these are not bred in captivity and are not caught in large numbers in the wild, hence the price tag.

 

[weldon]

I'll say. I've only seen them at an LFS once, they wanted over $90 for full size fish! From what I've read these are not bred in captivity and are not caught in large numbers in the wild, hence the price tag.

Wow! I don't think I'll be doing a school of those in my tank then.

I think this is my stocking plan...

8 Spotted Cories
3 Otos
1 Bushymouth Pleco

20 Cardinal Tetras
10 Red Wag Platies
10 Sunset Platies
8 Long-finned Leopard Danios

And then I'm still trying to decide between Angels or Gouramis. I really like the Koi Angels and Opaline, Pearl and Gold Gouramis. I just have to decide which ones I like best.

 

[weldon]

Ooops. I forgot the Black Skirt Tetras.

Also, I'm interested in the Synodontis Petricola. Anybody know anything about these fish?

 

[Lupin]

Those Densonii barbs look great. They get up to 6" huh? Are they fin nippers like some of the other barbs (tiger barbs) can be?

I don't think so. I haven;t heard from anyone claiming about their nippy attitude. Just because they are barbs, it doesn't mean they can be nippy as well.