My Cycle's Almost Done, Need To Finalize My Stock!

Kelsyann · Jan 6, 2010

Okay so my tank is 65 gallons 48x13x25 (LxWxH) It's got an Eheim filter rated for 80 gallons and runs 185 GPH. Right now its lightly planted, but I'm slowly adding more plants/decorations. So far this is what I'm thinking of for stocking, if anyone can point out any problems, that'd be great!

5x Angelfish
15x Serpae Tetra
10x some kind of cory (havent decided yet)
2x bristle nose plecos.

Does this sound like a good mix? Is there any other type of schooling fish I could have in there? Maybe some loaches? Any input is great! :good:

Dwarfs · Jan 6, 2010

Sounds good,if you want other fish I would suggest lowering some of the other fish's quantities, as is you would have a pretty full tank. Smaller loach species could work, you'd have to have at least 3 of them

Kitty_Nin · Jan 6, 2010

The plecs will probably destroy all your live plants. You could get Kuhli loaches, but they're shy if you don't have a bunch of them and some hiding spots for them. They're cute and don't get very big.

Aquadvisor says:

Warning: Serpae Tetra will likely to fin nip Angelfish.
Note: Bristlenose Pleco needs driftwood.
Warning: Your selected species will eventually require 100% of your aquarium space. You may need to deal with territorial aggressions later on. Try removing some of (Pterophyllum scalare, Corydoras panda, Ancistrus sp.) or get a larger aquarium tank.

Recommended temperature range: 24 - 26 C. [Display in Farenheit]
Recommended pH range: 5.5 - 7.8.
Recommended hardness range: 1 - 15 dH.

You have plenty of aquarium filtration capacity.

Your aquarium filtration capacity for above selected species is 249%.
Recommended water change schedule: 32% per week.
Your aquarium stocking level is 114%.

Wills · Jan 7, 2010

Looks okay to me

- one thing though I would consider swapping the serpae tetras for something else as they have a bad reputation for fin nipping and with those angels I can see some problems in the long run, how about something like the Von Rio Tetras? Or Red Widdow Tetras (the non dyed ones)

Also with the BNs I dont think they will wreck your plants, have you considered any of the other small plecs at all? There are loads that would do well in your tank.

Wills

Squid · Jan 7, 2010

I put a couple of Angelfish in my newly cycled tank a few years back and they did not get on too well. Unless others correct me, I think that they are one of the types of fish that prefer a mature tank and not just a cycled one.

I also went for Panda Corys when I first started. In hindsight and with a little more experience now, i'm not sure they were a good choice either.

Tricky one for you, as it looks like the Angelfish are your centre piece, but I would advise you to stock them later in process. Fishless cycling gives you the complete bioload for stocking, but if you stock a good 50% of the fish and let the tank mature, then it is possible to add fish slowly without experiencing a mini-cycle.

**NOTE - Having said all of that. I had an internal Juwel filter at the beginning, which I was really not impressed with. After cycling and swapping it out for an external eheim my stats were rock solid, and my fishkeeping success was much much better. So it would be interesting to see what other say about Angelfish from day one, as I may have just been unlucky due to a naff filter.

Cheers and good luck
Squid.

Kelsyann · Jan 7, 2010

Thanks for all the great answers. So with that stock its pretty much full, which is fine with me.

The plecs will probably destroy all your live plants.

I have a BN in my 30 gallon with live plants and she's been fine. I also have plenty of driftwood in the tank. :good:

Looks okay to me - one thing though I would consider swapping the serpae tetras for something else as they have a bad reputation for fin nipping and with those angels I can see some problems in the long run, how about something like the Von Rio Tetras? Or Red Widdow Tetras (the non dyed ones)

Thanks! I'll have a look to see what kind of tetras my LFS has, and go from there.

and I haven't looked at other plecs. What about Rubber lipped plecos? my local Petsmart recently started carrying them and the sign said they get 6" max. Would a pair of those work?

Wills · Jan 7, 2010

I would be surprised if rubber lips get that big but yeah they would do really well

Do you know about the L number library? There are over 400 species of plec and quite a few are quite small enough to fit in your tank

Kelsyann · Jan 7, 2010

I've heard about the L numbers, but never really looked into it. I'll go over to the plec section and see what I can find. thanks!

GAB99 · Jan 7, 2010

phantom plec might be a okay choice, plus they look pimpin

gold barbs might be a good subsitute as they arent really known for nippiness and very very peaceful

MrPurplePickle · Jan 7, 2010

I've had 2 angels and 12 serpae from when my 60 gallon tank was established back in April/May.
All getting along fine. I think the nipping that serpaes are known for are when their numbers are a fair bit lower.
I'd also only go with 1 BN, mine was tiny when I got him, 4 month later he's a monster, and messy.
Instead of corys, I went with 4 yoyo loaches, but very similar ideas. :good:

Kelsyann · Jan 7, 2010

I've had 2 angels and 12 serpae from when my 60 gallon tank was established back in April/May.
All getting along fine. I think the nipping that serpaes are known for are when their numbers are a fair bit lower.
I'd also only go with 1 BN, mine was tiny when I got him, 4 month later he's a monster, and messy.
Instead of corys, I went with 4 yoyo loaches, but very similar ideas.

I think I'm going to try the Sepae anyway, they're the most instersting tetra my LFS carries :crazy:

And I have a spare 30 gallon I could put them in if things go badly. As for the BN, I might go for something else, as I already have a BN in another tank and a little variety is always nice. I might go for loaches too, as I have cories in all 4 of my other tanks