115 Gallon Tank

[1234-fishy-freind]

Me and my dad have recentaly set up a 115 UK gallon (140 US gallon) tank.

We want to put something big in it but need help in which direction to go.

We would like a pair of oscars but what else could we put in it, something big.

Also, since this tank used to be a marine tank, it has a sump on it which adds and extra 40 UK gallons to it, bringing the total to 155 UK gallons.

cheers.

 

[shroob]

What are the actual dimensions of the tank?

I would try and avoid a pair of oscars if possible, breeding just increases aggression and limits tankmates. Though oscars have alot of tankmate possibilites cichlid and non cichlid. Severums, green terrors, texas cichlids, convicts, firemouths, silver dollars, plecs, raphael catfish, theres quite a few combinations out there.

If it was my tank I would go along the lines of:
1 oscar
1 green terror
1 convict
1 firemouth
1 salvini
Some catfish.

Alot depends on the individual personality of the fish though.

 

[1234-fishy-freind]

Thanks shroob, we are going to go with that stocking list!

At the minute we have 2 malawi cichlids cycling the tank but once it has cycled we will get those 6 fish, the catfish being a type of plec.

Is there any particular order in which those fish should be put into the tank ?

cheers

 

[shroob]

I would try and add them all at the same time, and when they are all young. Try and avoid the common plecs, these get massive and produce lots and lots of waste, I'm not sure of an alternative but I'm sure there will be.

What are the actual dimensions of the tank? 140 gallons makes it near a standard US 150 (5'x2'x2'), depending on the dimensions I think I may have been abit generous with my stocking idea, maybe cut back on one of the smaller fish (salvini, con,FM). And as always, theres no guarantees the fish will get along, you may get a psycho that will attack anything as each cichlid is different. With the stocklist I would keep an eye on the GT and salvini. However having said that, if it was my tank I would be willing to give it ago, as long as you keep an eye and monitor things then it should be ok.

 

[1234-fishy-freind]

Wouldnt adding all those fish at once cause the ammonia to go up though, or wont it if i get small fish ?

 

[shroob]

Wouldnt adding all those fish at once cause the ammonia to go up though, or wont it if i get small fish ?

If the tanks properly cycled it should be fine. Its suggested to add the cichlids in one go to prevent aggression due to territories, if they are put in together then no fish has an established territory to defend.

EDIT: Just seen the bit with the malawi cichlids, hmmm I see what you mean, well all I can think of is if the bioload they produce will match the bioload of the small new cichlids, then it should be fine, if this isn't the case you might have a spike. I take it you will be removing the malwai and introducing the new cichlids at the same time, if so all I can think of is if you just do water changes often and monitor the chemistry, perhaps try and locate some mature filter media off a friend or someone as this will help.

 

[1234-fishy-freind]

Yes i would be removing the malawis when i add the others.

My dad has a friend who has a large tropical tank so i could get him to ask if we could have some media from his filter before we get the new fish.

We wont be getting those fish for a while yet though as the tank hasnt been set up long.

Since the tank has a sump, i guess i could buy a firemouth or one of the smaller cichlids and put it in there then when i have bought the others, put them and the firemouth into the main display tank.

 

[poconoboss]

As far as Oscars go, I really like "Wild Oscars":

I also like the "Copper Veiled" Oscar:

Have you thought of an "Electric Blue Jack Dempsey"?

I absolutely love "Red Texas Cichlids" as well as "Jewel Cichlids"

Texas red:

Jewel:

As far as catfish go, I love "Jaguar Catfish"

You could always add a pike which is different or a "Rainbow Cichlid":

Rainbow:

I tend to like things are are a little less common.

 

[LosC519]

Different kinds of dwarf cichlids; apistos, rams. Or eartheaters; geophagus