Setting up a 75G in the near future

[panther]

Alright. I'm going to order a 75G setup from the lfs tomorrow afternoon. Since it's not going to be in for 4-6 weeks, I thought I'd ask a few questions to get prepared. The idea behind this tank is to be a schooling fish home. I was thinking 20 or so neon tetras of black neon tetras for starters. For the bottom dwellers, I was thinking 10-12 pygmy cories and maybe 15-20 cherry shrimp for algae control/color. Now it's time for the first question, would it be wise to add 1 or 2 angelfish with the neons? I was thinking that if I introduce the angels after the neons mature and while the angels are small, maybe they can co-exist.

Second question, what else would you add? My finace really wants to add a school of tiger barbs. I understand that if I add tiger barbs, I cannot add the angels.

For filtration, I have an AC500 that I bought 2 years ago and have never used. Would that be enough? I was thinking about not using the AC500 and picking up an emperor 400, would that be enough to filter 75 gallons? My biggest tank before this was 38 gallons so I don't know.

For the rest of the equipment, I was thinking a retrofit ah supply 55x4 kit. That would be 220 watts for 75 gallons. For heaters, 2 150watt Ebo-Jagers or should I go with 2 200 watt heaters?


Any help/experiences would be appreciated.


Panther

 

[vaheelsfan]

1) The angels will eat neons when they get large enough to do so, no matter when they're added.

2) 20 neons and 10 pigmys would be understocking a 75 gallon, in my opinion. I'd add a school of larger tetras, as large tetrans won't school with smaller ones (at least mine don't). Or, you could get like 50 neons. Also, from what I've read on here, pigmy cories don't nessecarily stay on the bottom either. In a tank as big as the one you're getting, you could put 10 "regular" sized cories in with 20 neons, and, say, 12 larger tetras.

3) If you can get the Emperor 400, get it and use it with the AC500. Two filters are better than one, in my opinion.

4) I honestly don't know what the wattage is on any of the heaters I have and I only have one per tank. I've always just bought the biggest one recommened for the tank size I'm putting it in. For example, on my ten gallon, I have one rated for a 10-30 gallon tank. Some people say that two are better because if one breaks, the other will keep the water warm. I think it would take a 75 gallon tank a few hours to get below the critical point for fish unless it is in a very cold room, and I would notice by then if my heater wasn't working. Of course, if one decides to malfunction and heat the water too much, then having two won't make a difference

 

[dethjam316]

i second the recommendation for using 2 filters. also, i agree with the angelfish/tetras issue. they will eat em, i've seen it.

as for heaters, i'd suggest 2 150w heaters unless the room its going to be in is especially cold.

i think your tank sounds awesome with all the small fish and critters. you could have double the neons in that sized tank easily in fact. instead of angels, i'd suggest a few gouramis...you could get pearl gouramis, they tend to be the least aggressive gouarmis and wouldn't pose any threat to your tetras. alternatively, blue gouramis might be a nice contrast to the color of your tetras, but i'd recommend getting all females as male blue gouramis tend to be feisty.