46 gallons bow front fish stocking idea

[DannyT]

Hi all,

I just bought a 46 gallon tank, just started a tank cycle. The tank has gravel, some decorations, fake plants, 400 emperor + eheim 2275 filter. I'd like to make it a colorful community fish tank. I had some fishes ideas below, but I'd need your help on this.

1 Gold gournami
8 Cardinal tetra
2 German blue rams
4 Corydoras Julii

Are these fishes fit well in this tank? any aggressive between them? Can i add 2 more dwarf gournami?
Any of your comment is welcome !!!

Thanks in advance,

Danny

 

[fluttermoth]

Hi there; sorry for the late reply!

Can you post the dimensions of your tank and the hardness and pH of your water, please? We don't like to recommend species without knowing those.

What ppm of ammonia are you cycling with?

I can already spot a couple of potential issues. You need more than four corydoras to form a proper group; at least six, but preferably more. They should also have a sand substrate, not gravel, so if you've got your heart set on cories (and your water's suitable for them), you might want to think about changing before you've gone too far with your set up, as it's much easier to change substrates before you get any fish.

Rams nowadays are extremely delicate, so you might want to reconsider those. I understand the appeal but they just don't seem to last long; I've actually stopped trying to keep them, even though they're my all-time favourite fish, and my local water should be perfect for them, as they never seem to live more than a few months Bolivian rams or one of the apistogramma species might be a better option?

 

[DannyT]

Thanks for your reply,

Actually when started setting up the tank I ran into the problem with the eheim canister filter set up. The Seaclear tank doesn't have enough pre-drill hole so I'll have to go buy a hole saw bit and will drill some, this is a acrylic tank.

Tank size is 36" wide, 20" tall, 16" deep at the bow. Since I don't have water in yet, I can easily switch to sand.

If German rams are too hard, I can go with the Bolivian rams. Can I add some more fish or it's full? How about a pair of dwarf gournami? or any other colorful but combatible to fit in?

Thanks !!

 

[Byron]

We really do need to know the water parameters of your source water. You should be able to track these down from your water authority if you are on municipal water, check their website. GH (general hardness), KH (carbonate hardness or alkalinity) and pH. The fourth parameter, temperature, can obviously be controlled with the heater.

Sand is a better substrate for some fish like cories, and most substrate level fish prefer it. Play Sand is inexpensive and very suitable as it is not at all rough or sharp.

Gourami and cichlids are best not combined, as their personalities are very similar. Males are territorial, to varying degrees, and in this sized tank a male gourami or cichlid will view the entire tank as his domain. So I would suggest either, and then consider suitable smaller fish. Dwarf gourami are still risky with disease issues; the Gold is particularly aggressive (or can be). The blue rams need warmth, this is why they fail so often, as they should live 4-5 years. But warmth (here meaning 80-82F/26-27C) for the blue ram is fine for cardinals, but not most cories (there are some that are fine with this, but not julii). The Bolivian is better at more "normal" tropical temps around 77-78F/25C. Both rams have other issues I can go into if asked; they are indeed lovely fish, if one provides for their needs.

Byron.

 

[Toney]

You know the sand out in the rivers here is big enough to hurt your feet..

I am a tinderfoot, but still.

 

[DannyT]

We really do need to know the water parameters of your source water. You should be able to track these down from your water authority if you are on municipal water, check their website. GH (general hardness), KH (carbonate hardness or alkalinity) and pH. The fourth parameter, temperature, can obviously be controlled with the heater.

Sand is a better substrate for some fish like cories, and most substrate level fish prefer it. Play Sand is inexpensive and very suitable as it is not at all rough or sharp.

Gourami and cichlids are best not combined, as their personalities are very similar. Males are territorial, to varying degrees, and in this sized tank a male gourami or cichlid will view the entire tank as his domain. So I would suggest either, and then consider suitable smaller fish. Dwarf gourami are still risky with disease issues; the Gold is particularly aggressive (or can be). The blue rams need warmth, this is why they fail so often, as they should live 4-5 years. But warmth (here meaning 80-82F/26-27C) for the blue ram is fine for cardinals, but not most cories (there are some that are fine with this, but not julii). The Bolivian is better at more "normal" tropical temps around 77-78F/25C. Both rams have other issues I can go into if asked; they are indeed lovely fish, if one provides for their needs.

Byron.

I found some informations on the local water company web site.

GH is 42
PH is 9

Since I'm new to this hobby, i'm not familiar with these numbers that I should pay attention to. But I'll do research and try to make it right

So if Gourami & cichlids are not recomended then what is your stocking suggestion for this 46 gallon tank?. I'd love to make it the most colorful community tank and with one center piece.

Thanks,

Danny

 

[Byron]

I found some informations on the local water company web site.

GH is 42
PH is 9

Since I'm new to this hobby, i'm not familiar with these numbers that I should pay attention to. But I'll do research and try to make it right

So if Gourami & cichlids are not recomended then what is your stocking suggestion for this 46 gallon tank?. I'd love to make it the most colorful community tank and with one center piece.

Thanks,

Danny

BTW, forgot earlier...welcome to TFF.

You could have either gourami or cichlids, just not both together. And not more than one species of whichever. And I would suggest a different gourami if that is what you go with...but first the hardness.

The GH at 42 I would hope is in ppm (parts per million) or mg/l (milligrams per liter) which are interchangeable. If it is in degrees (dGH) you have liquid rock. If you are in the UK, it might be dClark. Perhaps you could check the website and confirm?

The pH at 9 is very high though, and I am wondering if perhaps they add something to raise this; many water authorities do. It will likely lower in the aquarium if this is the case. I may be able to assess this further when we have the GH unit sorted out.

Byron.

 

[DannyT]

BTW, forgot earlier...welcome to TFF.

You could have either gourami or cichlids, just not both together. And not more than one species of whichever. And I would suggest a different gourami if that is what you go with...but first the hardness.

The GH at 42 I would hope is in ppm (parts per million) or mg/l (milligrams per liter) which are interchangeable. If it is in degrees (dGH) you have liquid rock. If you are in the UK, it might be dClark. Perhaps you could check the website and confirm?

The pH at 9 is very high though, and I am wondering if perhaps they add something to raise this; many water authorities do. It will likely lower in the aquarium if this is the case. I may be able to assess this further when we have the GH unit sorted out.

Byron.

Hello,

Finally I got my tank set up and cycle it for one week. Here's the water reading from the tank:

PH= 7.9
Amonia= 0.25ppm
Nitrite =0 ppm
Nitrate =0 ppm

I kept the gravel so no cory adding probably. So for stocking, I'll keep 10x Cardinal tetra and probably 1 more school of small fish. I'm looking for a nice center piece , gourami ? (not angel).

I'm appreciated any idea, suggestions.

Thanks !!

Danny