stocking ideas for 75 gallon tank

So you're keeping the 75gallon tank? Thought you were selling it and upgrading to the 110g.

Stay away from clownloaches...they do best in groups and over time will grow quite large, plus they like alot of bottom space for swimming (not to mention hiding spots). That and they are prone to ich if not properly cared for and can be difficult to medicate.

Descent sized schooling fish that's a freshy & figuring you still want something with some color (Not all of these of course):

• TOP LEVEL- Marble Hatchetfish or Danios
• Gourami's (dwarf flame if you like bright, Pearls get really nice size and are pretty-but not flashy)
• Boesemani Rainbowfish, Praecox Rainbow (Praecox stays smaller than the Bosemani in regards to width ime, both school nicely).
• Longfin Congo Tetras (pricey, but nice looking in school when of a descent size- silvery)
• Cherry barbs (very VIBRANT in color- red)
• Angelfish (get territorial when they breed/lay eggs...I personally always loved the platinums & marbled veiltails- but if your doing marble hatchetfish I wouldn't do marbled angels too knowing you don't want everything looking the same color)
• BOTTOM LEVEL- Loaches (Kuhliis are neat and extremely peaceful...nice to view if you run a lunar at night), Corydoras (hi-fins showup well, especially if you do some easy low-light plants like crypt wendtiis or do the larger breeds that will definately show up once they get some size on them), and 3rd suggestion would be denison barbs over the clown loaches you originally wanted (why? because they have a nice flash of color, you'll actually see them 24/7, and they are active- zipping back and forth mostly near the bottom-mid level, but they can be expensive= if you have a petsmart nearby check them because they carry them small which will be affordable).

I'm sure others will give you some great ideas as well!

 

Yep, just remember the denisons are sensitive when they are small...once they get some size on them they are hardy buggers. But definately COVER the top of the tank (ie. glass canopy or a sheet of lexan at your hardware store) because they zip around sometimes so fast that they'll fly right out of the tank. Trust me on this- I speak from experience!

 

Oh, and alot of times on aquabid you can score some really nice angels for cheaper than what they are in the petstores.
Here's a good online store for them too --> http://www.angelsplus.com/StoreFish.htm

Rosybarbs go on sale every now and then at Petco for $1 (if you're lucky enough to have one nearby that gets healthy livestock that is).

 

1) what kind of filter do you plan on running? gph? (turnover and partials have alot to do with what you can get away with in regards to stocking)

If this was my setup and I had good filtration (ie. something like 2 emperor 400's or maybe a rena xp4, of a fluval fx5) I'd Go:

• 2 really nice veiltail angels for your "show" piece fish (you have to watch with your stocking when it comes to angels, they are a cichlid and definately get nasty when breeding)
• 5 roseline sharks/denison barbs will definately give you activity along the bottom
• 5 or 6 corydoras (they're cute and like to rummage amongst the plants in search of goodies..mine loved crusing along my wendtii strip that I had growing along the entire front of my 90g).
• 8-10 cherry barbs will definately give you color (they get so much brighter than what you see when they are at the petstore- ask for MALES...males get the vibrant red, females stay the dingy brown)
• and I'd add a MALE bristlenose pleco (and driftwood for it) just because they are peaceful and I think the males are soo cool with the "whiskery things".

Here's a great tool for stocking--> http://www.aqadvisor.com/

Ps. make sure you are cycled and add the roseline's first (let them adjust without being harassed at first) and then probably the cory>cherry barbs>bristlenose if you'd like>and angels LAST.

 

no, wouldn't add beyond my recommendation. what's the filters gph turnover rate?

 

It has been my experience that when first starting to keep discus it may be best to first begin by keeping them in a bare bottom tank until you learn their habits and husbandry and then move to a more desired tank design. Although they grow super slow please be aware that the clown loaches will eventually need a larger tank. I love the South American theme that is described above by Dawn. If you are set on schooling fish you could do a native tank with some top minnows are even a mountain tank with a nice school of white clouds, although the white clouds would need quite a bit of flow in the tank.

 

They are gorgeous and are rather hardy, best thing is no heater is required, just make sure to have a powerhead in the tank to create flow. With them you may also plant your tank you could also get some pygmy sunfish for the bottom of the tank, throw in some gnarly driftwood pieces and you will have a stunning cold water tank.

 

They are beautiful but please do your research about them, they need specific water conditions and are aggressive. You could do Afican Riverine Cichlids like Red Jewels who don't require the rock hard water of the Africans.