Really Need Some Help Choosing Stock,

[doresy]

My tank has cycled as from yesterday. Continuing with ammonia while I decide stock.

Its a 120 ltr Jewel Rio and it is full of holey rock and hopefully Java Fern with one good piece of bogwood.

I want to fill it with Cichlids and realise due to the size they are going to have to be dwarf.

 

[markandhisfish]

how about some apistos or maybe kribs or keyholes rams?

 

[shroob]

Due to the large amounts of holey rock I'd go for something thats fairly hardy (most "dwarfs" prefer softer acid water - but not all) such as Apistogramma cacatuoides.

If it wasn't for the holey rock I'd give blue rams ago.

120 litres is roughly 30 US gallons, so stocking options arn't that limited really, whats the dimensions of the tank?

 

[doresy]

Hi yup looked into those.......I have hardish water and highish ph........not good for apistos? and kribs are hell at breeding time aren't they?


What do you think I could have and how many of each type....suggestions appreciated as want to get most of the stock up front this w/e.

Due to the large amounts of holey rock I'd go for something thats fairly hardy (most "dwarfs" prefer softer acid water - but not all) such as Apistogramma cacatuoides.

If it wasn't for the holey rock I'd give blue rams ago.

120 litres is roughly 30 US gallons, so stocking options arn't that limited really, whats the dimensions of the tank?

The holey rock is resin not real......see HERE

Volume: approx. 125 Litres
Measurements: 81 x 36 x 50 cm

 

[Goodygumdrops]

I'd really like a couple of these babies once my tank has cycled :http/www.thekrib.com/Apisto/A-pandurini.html,and a couple of cockatoo dwarves.
Hmm,my link didn't work,try again:
http/www.thekrib.com/Apisto/A-pandurini.html

 

[shroob]

Hi yup looked into those.......I have hardish water and highish ph........not good for apistos? and kribs are hell at breeding time aren't they?


What do you think I could have and how many of each type....suggestions appreciated as want to get most of the stock up front this w/e.

Due to the large amounts of holey rock I'd go for something thats fairly hardy (most "dwarfs" prefer softer acid water - but not all) such as Apistogramma cacatuoides.

If it wasn't for the holey rock I'd give blue rams ago.

120 litres is roughly 30 US gallons, so stocking options arn't that limited really, whats the dimensions of the tank?

The holey rock is resin not real......see HERE

Volume: approx. 125 Litres
Measurements: 81 x 36 x 50 cm

Ahh, I thought you meant this type of holey rock LINK

If your tank is going to have hard water and a higher pH then I would stay clear of the more delicate dwarfs ie blue rams. Though that isn't to say pH is everything, most tank bred fish these days can adapt.


I'm assuming you want SA cichlids for this, but some CA suggestions could be Archocentrus nanoluteus (not sure on correct scientific name anymore) which might suit the rocky scene more.

Do you want a community of SA fish or just a pair or two? If a community I would have one pair/harem of apisto's, a small shoal of tetras and a small shoal of corys. Another option I think would to be to do 2 pairs of dwarfs but leave out the cory's I would have thought.
Some links that might help:
Basic on apisto not being too fussy
Apisto care and maintinance - though kind of contradicts the link about with what it says about water stats.
Types of dwarf

Can I ask why you want to have a rocky theme in a SA tank?

 

[doresy]

Hi shroob and thanks for the time spent.

Explination for the fake rock thing Ok, first wish tank - marine but can't go there till I retire,,,hey, not for a while yet! Second wish tank- Malawi but cannot afford the size tank weight wise as upstairs and already have the 2 tanks in my sig. up there

So? marine...malawi are you begining to see my reasoning? yup...rocks but because of the weight issue I have gone for the ones in that link and a Juwel 125lt.

The tank has been cycled now for 4 days and holding 0-0 in under 6 hours every day from 5ppm so raring to go

Just done a PH and it's suprised me at bang on 6.6 although I know it.s a little on the hard side here but I don't have a test for that.

What I am after is a complete change to my other tank. I want a community of colour with busy around the rocks and a maximum stocking for this tank.

I always keep great water so I think I deserve it

 

[shroob]

You could still do an african theme'd tank without the mbuna (I'm guessing thats what you wanted), they might also appreciate the rock more. See the African section for some suggestions.
20 US gallon
30 US gallon

Though you might have to alter your pH abit for them , wouldn't be too difficult though.

If you wanted the SA route (I havn't seen a SA tank with lots of rock, so don't know how it will look / how fish will interact with it in a SA biotope). Then I'd stick to 2 pairs of dwarf cichlids and a shoal of tetra. You could give rams ago, but I think you would have to soften the water.