Just getting an idea on stocking

[tank212]

I have lately been really interested in rams. I have a 55gal tank that will eventually be empty. I was wondering how to go about stocking it with which fish and such. I want a pair of rams for sure but what else can I have for bottom feeders, other fish, plecos etc. Any help would be great I'm planning on planting it pretty well too.
I am interested in the following:
rams
skirt tetras
platies
zebra danios
corys
guppys
barbs not tiger barbs tho
Any other recommendations would be great.

 

[tank212]

No one? Im thinking of the following:
pair of rams
4 zebra danios
6 skirt tetras
2 bristlenose pleco's (in tank already)
clown pleco (in tank already)
7corys
6platies
3 baloon mollys
guppys

I am wondering about the guppys and tetras as I've heard skirt tetras can be a bit nippy can anyone comment on that? Is my above list good? I know its about 5 or 6 inches over the 1inch per gallon rule I also didn't add the corys or plecos to the amount. any help would be great. thanks

 

[nc_nutcase]

You seem to have a pretty good mix of top / bottom / middle dwelling fish which is a great thing. I'm not saying it's ever a good idea to break standard rules of stocking, but if your going to stretch it... do it wisely... which you seemed to do (or ya got damn lucky... but either way...). I'm not real familiar with most of the fish on your list (Cichlid guy here) but I think it sounds like a good full tank.

*Note: and I'm usually one of the first to holler 'ya need a bigger tank'. I think you might get away with it because of the docile nature of most to all the fish in your tank. Big difference between a crowded tetra tank and a crowded Dempsey tank...

Do be aware though that breaking such standards as 'one inch of fish per US Gal' means you will have a higher bioload than a standard 'full' tank. Also you may have oxygen concerns (probably not, but keep an eye out). You may want to consider getting a typical filter that is rated for your tank then add a sponge filter or two. These will help trap the waste in a confined area which you will vacuum up each week (because overstocking also makes water changes / gravel vacuuming much more important). Also since they run off bubbles... it gives you your surface disruption to increase oxygenation.

 

[tank212]

Great I have two filters a whisper 60 I think? and another filter for 55 gallons. And I probably won't even add a certain type of schooling fish. So I might end up taking out one group of fish and add a one more to each group.

 

[nc_nutcase]

again... your stock is by no means my 'specialty' (if you could call cichlids my specialty)

But it sounds like as long as your editing your stock inch for inch your fine... but I wouldn't increase it... ya seem safely full to me... but full none the less...

 

[Raechal]

Big difference between a crowded tetra tank and a crowded Dempsey tank...

My last name is Dempsey so when I skimmed through your post I was like: Lol.


Anyways, the only thing I can see a little problem with (MAYBE) are the skirt tetras as they are known to nip. The rams may be a little tempting with their bright colors. My 6 black skirt tetras are really docile and don't nip at anyone in the tank. Everything else seems pretty good.


EDIT: Maybe instead of the skirt tetras, get like 2-5 more zebra danios as they like to be in bigger groups. And maybe some more cories. Like 10 cories or something.

 

[tank212]

Great idea rachel I love cories to death. I think I'm gonna go with that. I like the skirt tetras so I think I'm gonna get some for my 20gal tank maybe 5 or 6 and I have 3 albino cories in there. Thanks for the help

 

[Raechal]

Great idea rachel I love cories to death. I think I'm gonna go with that. I like the skirt tetras so I think I'm gonna get some for my 20gal tank maybe 5 or 6 and I have 3 albino cories in there. Thanks for the help

You should move the 3 cories to the 55 gallon and then just keep the 5 or 6 black skirt tetras in the 29 gallon. They do get pretty big though. I would keep it at 5. Is the substrate in the 55 going to be sand or gravel?

 

[tank212]

So how does this sound:
pair of rams
6 zebra danios
10 corys
6 platies
3baloon mollies
some guppys probably not many they are raised fry

I got sand as substrate on top of small gravel so that should be good for the cories.

 

[Raechal]

So how does this sound:
pair of rams
6 zebra danios
10 corys
6 platies
3baloon mollies
some guppys probably not many they are raised fry

I got sand as substrate on top of small gravel so that should be good for the cories.

Sounds like a beautiful tank to me! Watch out for the fry though, the rams will probably chase them around the tank and try to eat them. Mine did anyway. Even when they were about 3/4 of an inch long.

 

[tank212]

Ok cool I'm really hoping to get rams but I'm not sure if my petstores can get them in I will try tho.

 

[Raechal]

Ok cool I'm really hoping to get rams but I'm not sure if my petstores can get them in I will try tho.

They will usually have german blue rams at the LFS. I've never seen them carry bolivian rams at my LFS's though. Do you want bolivian or german blue?

 

[tank212]

whatever I can get works for me I got good filtration so water quality shouldn't be a problem I've never lost a fish because of it.

 

[Raechal]

whatever I can get works for me I got good filtration so water quality shouldn't be a problem I've never lost a fish because of it.

That is good. Hope your fish store has the rams. If not, you could ask them to special order them for you. Where are you located?

 

[tank212]

Louisiana