I Am Re-doing My 29 Gallon Aquarium. Suggestions Please?

[ABNM]

First off, I'm re-doing my 29 gallon aquarium. This is what it looks like now:

I'm aiming for something more natural, with rocks, wood, and plants. Plus I'm adding 5-10 more pounds of gravel to mix with my current gravel, just to make it look somewhat different.

I want a new stocking plan also. I currently have 7 platies, 1 male paradise gourami, 7 cories, 2 tetras (just won't die, last of their crew!), and a female betta. I'm going to move the paradise gourami, the tetras, and 6 of the catfish into my other tanks (I have three other tanks.) I was planning on adding 4-5 skunk loaches. Also, with the last cory (he's an emerald, 4'' long) I will be adding more of those (3-4 more.) I know cories and loaches aren't always good together, which is why I'm buying lots of cave-like decorations. My question is, is there anything else I could add?

P.S. the betta you see in the pic isn't there any more... that one's a male.

 

[ABNM]

Anyone?

 

[SouthernCross]

Well if you want it to look more natural (which I agree looks tons better) I'd remove all your blue gravel rather than mixing it with something else, and just put natural coloured gravel in. Or if you like the look of it, sand.

Sounds like you might need a new centrepiece fish, as from what I understand you'll leave in there platies and some loaches and cories. So perhaps some mid to top dwellers? I would have said some dwarf cichlids but they tend to hang out near the bottom, and yours will be pretty crowded by the sounds of it. Maybe a pair of angels? Or perhaps a trio of gouramis? Don't know if your too keen on gouramis because you're moving your paradise fish, but thought it was a suggestion. I keep pearl gouramis, and I highly recommend them as beautiful, peaceful fish.

 

[ABNM]

Thanks SouthernCross.

I actually love gouramis... I just don't want my paradise gourami in there, he's a little aggressive. I forgot that I have a young opaline gourami in my ten gallon tank, she's a female, and she's going in the 29 gallon too. I could probably get another female and a male opaline gourami, to have a trio.

Also, about the blue gravel, I just don't want to re-cycle the tank. I will be using the same filter though... hmm... could I take out all/most of the gravel?