New 75 gallon tank

[rdd1952]

Well, my addiction got the best of me. I just bought a new 75 gallon tank that I have to go pick up tomorrow. Tank and very attractive wood stand were only $330. I couldn't resist. I am still torn between whether I want to do freshwater or saltwater. Please give me suggestions on a good stocking scheme. Even though the tank is 75 gallons, I would still like to stay with fish that will be no more than 6" to 8" as adults. Also, any feedback from those of you with both fresh and salt water on care and maintanence, is it about the same for both. I know saltwater is more expensive at start up. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[bunjiweb]

Saltwater is a lot easier to do on a larger setup, as its easier to keep the water balanced and you have a lot more scope for fish. But bare in mind that it is a massive ammount more expensive than your average tropical setup.

In a 75G tank you could have a selection of cichlids, various catfish, or something more exotic?... There's a fair lot of things you can do with a 75G, but it just depends what you want from it, in the long term more than anything.

Ben

 

[rdd1952]

I'm pretty much wide open on what goes in it except I don't want anything that is very aggresive. Semi-aggresvie fish are ok. My wife does have her heart set on an angel fish but I guess we can do that regardless of whether we go FW or SW. I have been researching on the web and like the cichlids and killifish but both of those seem to be pretty expensive for FW fish based on the one site I found that sold live fish. Mollys, platys and guppies are pretty but I don't want a tank full of fry every other day. This is a hard decision. At least once I decide on FW or SW I will have time to decide what goes in while it is cycling.

One thing I didn't mention in my original post is my water parameters. My tap water is very soft - KH & GH are 1. The pH on the tap water is about 6.9 to 7.0.

 

[Angry_Platy]

I was going to say African Cichlids until you mentioned your pH...they prefer a higher pH (though mine is 7.8) and harder water (though I have moderately soft water)....

How long have you had tropical fish for? The guy at the LFS told me not to get a marine tank till I have had a FW tank for 2 years without any major dramas......10 months and counting

If you go marine the initial setup is expensive as are all the fish and corals and live rocks etc. I guess it depends how much money you have to spend on it all in the long run. Someone in Members Pics did a thread a little while back on a marine tank from buying the tank to full setup....I can't remember the exact cost but it was well into the thousands just to get it set up (not including fish).....

If you do go marine I will be EXTREMELY jealous!!!

 

[rdd1952]

As much as I want a marine tank, I am leaning toward FW again. I am a relative newbie (since December) but my son does have a marine tank he has had for about 7 months and has been telling me a lot about what the costs and differences are. I guess I'll probably wait till my next tank to start a marine tank. With all these tanks, I'm probably going to have to go under the house and add support - 75 gal x 8.33 lb/gal + tank + sand + stand = at least 700 lb. I sure hope our bonuses are big this year.

 

[wrs]

• Pterophyllum scalare - 4
• Mikrogeophagus ramirezi- 4
• Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis "Lemon Tetra" - 6
• Hemigrammus bleheri "Rummy Nose Tetra" - 8
• Corydoras adolfi "Cory Catfish"- 6


that is from Cichlid Forum cookie cutter. It has an angel fish in it. They are the Pterophyllum scalare .

If your wife let you get them, the least you could do is let her get angel fish. FW ones are cheaper.

 

[rdd1952]

My wife actually is the one that was the most pumped about getting this tank. But then why shouldn't she be, I do all the work and all she has to do is watch the fish. In case your wondering, we've been married almost 28 years and she does have me trained. But I do enjoy them too. Even doing the water changes is relaxing. This IS an addiction though.
For the angels and rams, how many male/female of each?

 

[wrs]

dont think it matters. But if you want them to breed, i would get tw breeding pairs of each species. 2m and 2f of each.

 

[rdd1952]

I don't plan to breed. I just didn't want to say get all males and then have them fight constantly over territory.

 

[wrs]

they shouldnt, these species are usually peacefull.

 

[rdd1952]

I think I would like to do one large group of tetras, maybe 12 to 14 of the same species. I really like the pristellas I could start by moving the 5 I have in the 29 gallon over. I want to add a couple more otos to that tank and maybe 1 more each of the serpae and red eyes. How would thiis scheme work:

4 angels
4 blue rams
4 bolivina rams (will they be ok with the blues)
12 pristella tetras
5 cories

How about shrimp? With enough hiding places would they be able to avoid becoming food for the angels. I probably need some type of algae eater and really like the AE shrimp.

 

[wrs]

well, from what Ive herd Bolivans can be aggressive to other rams. But that tank is big, so they might not be.

I am not sure about shrimp. You should probebly ask that in the invertabrate section.