How to stock a 75 gallon tank and it be 'active'

I think most people try to get a filter that turns over the water at least 5 times per hour, and 500 GPH would turn a 75g tank over about 6 2/3 times per hour (divide GPH by number of gallons). Probably would be fine. I try to get the largest filter I can without blowing the tank out of the water, and I usually run 2 filters per tank if it is over 40g.

What filter are you looking at? Different filters perform differently, so that GPH rule doesn't always work. I like canister filters like the Mag 350 or Marineland C-series. Eheims are very good but crazy expensive. Fluvals and Renas are pretty popular too, but I have never tried them. The only canister I've had is a Marineland C-360 (got in in Jan) for my 75g, and I run a back up Tetra Whisper HOB mainly for extra filter media to quick start my QT tank.

For HOBs, I know AquaClear filters are pretty highly recommended. In fact, PufferPunk has one that is 25 years old and has only replaced the impeller a couple times. Pretty impressive, huh? I really like my Emperor 280, but I'd go with the 400 model and get 2. But, I don't like to chance filtration with an underpowered filter.

I generally look at what the manufacturer recommends for my size tank and then get the next size up.
 
its a power filter, Hagen Aqua clear power filter 500/110 its the biggest size they have.
 
That should be fine. If you notice that there isn't as much flow as you like once it's up and running, you can always get a second one.
 
Yeah thats what I figured, I will probably end up doing half of the list then later get the other half once I get the tank going.

Oh also, I was thinking of making it a planted tank too, would java ferns be alright in the tank? I couldn't have them in the other tanks I was thinking of because they were diggers. Some low light plants would be nice, I'll probably put in a big piece of driftwood then lots of plants with all the fish in too.
 
Absolutely. Java fern, anubias, crypts, etc. would all be great low-light plants with those fish. I love Java fern (Windelov aka lace variety, much cooler) and anubias since you just tie them to driftwood, and then I can rearrange to my heart's content. Plus, it's nice for gravel cleaning, though with rooted plants you don't have to do gravel cleaning really.
 
Ya I heard that they help keep the parameters of the tank balanced out. I know that Java's you tie to the wood then it will attach. But is there a certain substrate or something I have to add to the water for the plants?
 
okay, do I have to cycle the tank before putting in the plants or just put them in right away? I might be able to get a piece of the older filter to put into the new tank but not the full thing, would that work?
 
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Yep you can add the plants whenever. If you seed the tank with part of the established media you should have an ammonia source to feed that bacteria so they can multiply. You can add a portion of your stock instantly but you just need to keep an eye on the params as the colony might not be able to handle the whole load right away. You can slowly start to add the rest of your stock as the colony builds. Your plants will also help with the ammonia, etc. but slow growers like java ferns and anubias aren't huge nutrient hogs.
 
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