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

I think I wanted to try doing the Java ferns, hornsworth, anubis, maybe some crypts if I can find some and then some 'grass' like plants, the really short ones that will cover the bottom of the tank. Any suggestions on those?

When I seed the tank with the part of the filter, should I do the biggest fish first? Or just go with the largest group? Because the biggest fish I have is the swordtails I believe, or just put in say....7 neons in the tank? Its a large tank and I'm not all that sure.
 
Oh I just had a thought, I know Male Bettas will go after fish that look like other male bettas, but do you think I could put one in the tank with the swordtails? They are the only fancy looking ones that I planned on getting.

Also what about putting in some Dojos? Or Weather fish?
 
Dojos prefer cooler water. Can't say for sure whether a betta would work or not. It's alway best to have a back up tank in case things dont go as planned when adding one to a community tank.

I wouldn't risk neons in a tank that might have water quality problems. The swords are the safest IMO.

A plant you might want to try for the foreground is dwarf hairgrass. Dwarf sag would be another option. Whats the lighting again?
 
Right now all I planned was the stock lighting that comes with it, its a package deal at my lfs, get the cover, hood and lights with the tank. So its probably some standard lights (not sure what it is) but if I need to get better lights I can since I won't be buying all the fish all at once.
 
I have to say I LOVE THIS THREAD. I'm going to be setting up a 75 gallon soon and I'm new to the hobby. I'm watching this like a hawk and soaking up all I can, lol.

Can't wait to see pics of yours all done and set-up! ^_^
 
Thanks ^^ though I will probably be downgrading to just a new 55 gallon...maybe..bigger is better lol

I might even divide the tank so I can have two males in the tank.

Someone told me that if you have a big enough tank, you can have two males? I really don't think this is true but I figured that I would bring it up.
 
Get big school of tiger barbs, 15-20 or so.

Allways active and swimming.

Then you can get a few other fish to fill in the gaps. A couple of gourami and some bottom dwellers. Some smaller ciclids, loaches, small plecos that sort of thing.

Ian
I agree....... festuims, angelfish,etc work great..:goldfish::clap:
 
I wouldn't even consider a convict cichlid in with any of these (other than the catfish and maybe the loaches).
 
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The convict isn't a problem, a friend has taken him in since my tank busted a few days after this post.
 
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