Prospective New Tank

[jaywings19]

I've posted a similar topic before, but just want to get some new opinions on the subject.

I'm going to get a 72 gallon bow front tank sometime in the near future. I'm just trying to plan ahead in terms of stocking the aquarium. B)

My local tap water is: 6.6 pH and very soft

I want to avoid using pH conditioners, so I'd like to figure out which fish would do best in my tap water (yes, I know to dechloronate it first ). However, I will be adding some coral in the tank in order to make the water have medium hardness.

Based on my research, here are some fish that I think will do well:

Angels
Barbs
Corys
Danios
Gouramis
Plecos
Rasboras
Tetras

1) Will these fish do well given my tap water parameters?

2) Will there be any behavioral conflicts between fish on my list? I know Angels eat some tetras... and that Danios might bother the Angels. Correct?

3) Will one Rainbow or Bala Shark do well in this tank?

I guess what I'm really asking is... what would YOU stock this tank with given my water parameters?

 

[Eelzor]

One rainbow shark would be a great bottom feeding scavenger to add to your chosen community. But the bala sharks grow too big and would hog the space.

Edit.S - You are so lucky to have soft acid water. Where I am its pH 8.5 and rock hard alkaline!

 

[jaywings19]

You are so lucky to have soft acid water. Where I am its pH 8.5 and rock hard alkaline!

I never thought about it that way. I guess it is easier to make water harder by adding coral... than it is to make water softer.

Want me to ship you a few gallons of tap water?

I figured the rainbow shark would be the better choice because bala sharks need to be in a small group, right? I was just concerned that the rainbow shark would clash with the angelfish and/or the smaller fish (corys and tetras). Thoughts?

 

[Morrgan]

Yes, bala sharks prefer groups. I had a rainbow shark with a couple of angels and a small group of cories for years, and they got along fine. As long as they stayed away from the shark's little hideout he left them alone, but if they got too close he'd chase them away immediately. A 72 gal tank will have plenty of space for both the shark and other fish, but put the hideout near one of the corners. I foolishly put the piece of wood in the middle of a 34 gal at first and my shark took over pretty much the whole tank. But after moving the wood, he left the other end of the tank alone.

As to your original post...

1) As far as I know, all those on your list should do well in your water.

2) You're right about angels eating tetras. Neons are in big danger, but I think any tetra small enough to fit into the angel's mouth will do. Danios and barbs are lively fish and can be fin nippers, so they might bother the gouramis and possibly the angels too. Keeping angels and gouramis together can lead to trouble, but in a tank that big where each can have enough space for themselves it could work out ok. Umm, that's about all I can think of at the moment.

As for what I would stock with... Oh, so many choices. Well, I guess I'd go for an Asian set up, with a rainbow or red-tailed shark, a shoal of maybe 15 harlequin rasboras, a couple of some larger gourami and a group of kuhlii loaches. Perhaps some cherry barbs as well.

Good luck with your tank! It's always nice to see people who give this sort of thing plenty of thought even before having the tank

 

[jaywings19]

Yes, bala sharks prefer groups. I had a rainbow shark with a couple of angels and a small group of cories for years, and they got along fine. As long as they stayed away from the shark's little hideout he left them alone, but if they got too close he'd chase them away immediately. A 72 gal tank will have plenty of space for both the shark and other fish, but put the hideout near one of the corners. I foolishly put the piece of wood in the middle of a 34 gal at first and my shark took over pretty much the whole tank. But after moving the wood, he left the other end of the tank alone.

As to your original post...

1) As far as I know, all those on your list should do well in your water.

2) You're right about angels eating tetras. Neons are in big danger, but I think any tetra small enough to fit into the angel's mouth will do. Danios and barbs are lively fish and can be fin nippers, so they might bother the gouramis and possibly the angels too. Keeping angels and gouramis together can lead to trouble, but in a tank that big where each can have enough space for themselves it could work out ok. Umm, that's about all I can think of at the moment.

As for what I would stock with... Oh, so many choices. Well, I guess I'd go for an Asian set up, with a rainbow or red-tailed shark, a shoal of maybe 15 harlequin rasboras, a couple of some larger gourami and a group of kuhlii loaches. Perhaps some cherry barbs as well.

Good luck with your tank! It's always nice to see people who give this sort of thing plenty of thought even before having the tank

Thanks so much for the helpful information. I will put myself down for one Rainbow Shark. I am trying my best to do my research up front... otherwise it will be a waste of money and also unfair to the fish.

Some follow up questions:

1) I like the harlequin rasboras too (that you mentioned). They are about the same size as most tetras. Will the Angels eat them too? I was planning on getting small/baby Angels and letting them grow over time... rather than buying big ones up front. I read that getting the small Angels may allow me to keep tetras/rasboras in the tank without getting eaten.

2) Would either of these power filters be good for the 72G tank?

Tetratec PF500 Power Filter
Marineland Emperor 400 Filter System (with bio wheel)

What other equipment would I need for a 72G tank? Power Filter, heater, other?

As you can tell, I've done more research on fish than equipment.

 

[AttackKoala]

I would worry about the Tiger Barbs nipping at the Angel's fins, Angel's can be really delicate and you wouldn't want to see your angels shredded.

 

[jaywings19]

I would worry about the Tiger Barbs nipping at the Angel's fins, Angel's can be really delicate and you wouldn't want to see your angels shredded.

Thanks for the heads-up... I should've been more specific, but I was thinking about Cherry or Rosy Barbs (not tigers).

 

[Nix]

yeah i know ur not using tiger barbs but they if heard are one of the worst groups of fish u can keep together. Even if the tigers are in a large group angel fish are just to much for them to pass up and the angels will be finless in seconds

 

[Morrgan]

I like the harlequin rasboras too (that you mentioned). They are about the same size as most tetras. Will the Angels eat them too? I was planning on getting small/baby Angels and letting them grow over time... rather than buying big ones up front. I read that getting the small Angels may allow me to keep tetras/rasboras in the tank without getting eaten.

Hmm, that's a good question. I'd think that the harlequins would be out of danger since they have a deeper body than the neon tetras. Not as easy to swallow whole, that is. But I would like to hear from someone who has kept both together first, just to be on the safe side.

Small angels won't eat neons or other fish. It's only when they've grown big enough to fit them in their mouth that they become a danger, so what you've read is right.

I think someone other than me will be more qualified to answer your technical question. Perhaps you could post that question in the Hardware forum?