Finally-I Got Fish!

[ellena]

So, 4 1/2 years on, my 60l is set up

Filtration is ex600, heater also external, so no clutter in the tank. I've got seachem fluorite sand, which supposedly has plant nutrition in it. I don't want to do a lot of plant care, so I've got amazon swords, java ferns, moss balls and a mystery plant which apparently takes over. I'd love that, I've killed most plants-lol!
I've kicked off the stocking today with 7 copper harlequins. I can't find anything specific about their care, so I'm assuming they're the same as regular harlequins.
I was planning on having a dwarf gourami, but I think the filter is too strong. It can be turned down, but the harlequins are having a great time in the current, so that would be a shame.
I'm thinking a bunch of forktail blue eyes might be my next addition. My water is pH 7.8, KH 12, GH 11.
I'm not getting anything on the bottom, I don't think the angular sand would be nice as they're burrowing around.
I'd like rcs when stats are stable, and dwarf frogs. And that might have to be it, I can't find another centrepiece that would suit.
One of my pieces of wood has yet to sink and some plants still need planting. Any feedback and suggestions very welcome

 

 

[Ninjouzata]

For centerpiece fish, what about peacock gudgeons? Although they may eat shrimp so maybe not a good choice since you want rcs.
 
I think the tank looks lovely and will be even more so when the wood sinks and you get the plants that are still potted planted Have you managed to get any close ups of the copper harlequins?

 

[ellena]

Thanks, I'll look at the gudgeons As for pics of the harlequins, hell no! I have a DSLR, but they are so quick!

 

[ellena]

Just by chance found they are actually hengelis rasboras. Gudgeons look lovely but need slow, soft water it seems. They're also very similar looking to the forktails.
Man, I need a bigger tank! Looking at the huge 5-6ft oak ones in maidenhead today, fingers crossed for the lottery eh?!

 

[l_l_l]

Gudgeons are sweet, but i suggest getting them only when your shrimp colony has grown, they are great at hunting them. I have a few gudgeons in a shrimp tank and I sometimes see them eating the smaller shrimp.
Edit: a trick for fish photography, just use the burst mode and focus manually on one point and stay there.