Stocking 60G Community Tank

[keeyum]

Hi all,

As an early Christmas present I now have an empty 60G Marineland Heartland Ensemble in my livingroom. I'll be taking my time on getting it cycled and I've been doing a bit of research but would love some opinions regarding stocking options. This is what I currently have and will be moving them to the new tank (all from 3 different smaller tanks):

[3] neon tetras
[4] bolivian rams (2m, 2f)
[2] albino cory cats
[1] strawberry/red tail variatus
[1] balloon molly
[1] red tiger platy
[1] otocinclus
[6] panda tetras

I'm having difficulty with how many more fish I can add in this tank as this is the biggest tank I'll have and it's a big project for me. I would like to base the tank around rams. Some fish I've had in mind are:
german blue rams, rummynose tetras, hatchets, red cherry shrimp, celestial pearl danios, emperor tetras, rubbernose plec, kribensis, julii corys, a freshwater clam or two, a couple dwarf gouramis.

I'd also like to definitely add to my neons and cory cats as I know they're better in big groups. I know otocinclus do better in groups as well but I'm not sure I want to keep him. Seems to crap more than anything.

Again, this is a brand new project so unfortunately I don't now which filter and heater I'll be going with just yet. I have decided on sand vs gravel though (another new project ). Any opinions/advice would be great, esp. with #s of fish to add. I'm pretty sure all of the ones I mentioned are compatible (except maybe the kribensis?) and I'm aware of which fish need groups of each other...just how many can I add with this big of a tank? Also, I'd like a "centerpiece" fish but have yet to find one...I guess my rams would be it?

 

[onidrase]

You can add quite a bit. You should up some numbers on your current stock. Paricularly the neons, albino cories, and otos. All of them should be in groups of at least 6.
With a a 60 gallon tank, you'll be able to get quite a bit of small fish, but with the stock of small fish, you'll need to avoid larger ones that can eat them. So instead, you can up the numbers on your small ones quite a bit, probably get up to like 15 or more neon tetras.

 

[keeyum]

You can add quite a bit. You should up some numbers on your current stock. Paricularly the neons, albino cories, and otos. All of them should be in groups of at least 6.
With a a 60 gallon tank, you'll be able to get quite a bit of small fish, but with the stock of small fish, you'll need to avoid larger ones that can eat them. So instead, you can up the numbers on your small ones quite a bit, probably get up to like 15 or more neon tetras.

Yeah, I'll definitely be adding to my current groups. I forgot to add I also have 2 cobra endler's who surprisingly haven't been bothered by the rams as tiny as they are.

 

[onidrase]

You can add quite a bit. You should up some numbers on your current stock. Paricularly the neons, albino cories, and otos. All of them should be in groups of at least 6.
With a a 60 gallon tank, you'll be able to get quite a bit of small fish, but with the stock of small fish, you'll need to avoid larger ones that can eat them. So instead, you can up the numbers on your small ones quite a bit, probably get up to like 15 or more neon tetras.

Yeah, I'll definitely be adding to my current groups. I forgot to add I also have 2 cobra endler's who surprisingly haven't been bothered by the rams as tiny as they are.

Rams are very peaceful. I've never seen or heard of any incidents of them eating small fish.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Are the Rams just 2m and 2f or are they two PAIRS? Rams are peaceful, but they can get a bit snarky from what I've heard when mating and protecting their eggs/fry.

 

[onidrase]

Are the Rams just 2m and 2f or are they two PAIRS? Rams are peaceful, but they can get a bit snarky from what I've heard when mating and protecting their eggs/fry.

All cichlids get a bit aggressive during breeding. But in a 4 foot long tank, I don't think there will be an issue, even if they are 2 breeding pairs.

 

[creeker]

I agree that the Kribensis might cause a problem with the Rams. Kribs tend to be a bit tougher and more territorial, and since they occupy the same strata, it could cause problems. I know your tank is big, but an aggressive fish can still do damage with a few quick hits.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Are the Rams just 2m and 2f or are they two PAIRS? Rams are peaceful, but they can get a bit snarky from what I've heard when mating and protecting their eggs/fry.

All cichlids get a bit aggressive during breeding. But in a 4 foot long tank, I don't think there will be an issue, even if they are 2 breeding pairs.

I was just thinking that having two breeding pairs AND another 6-10 bottom dwellers like corys and otos would be a potential trouble spot. 4 feet of substrate is a lot, but each breeding pair will claim a certain amount as their territory and the corys might get bullied. I don't know. I thought about getting some Apistos for my tank, but was concerned about my corys. Granted I don't have 4 feet of length, but my tank's footprint is still quite large.

 

[onidrase]

Are the Rams just 2m and 2f or are they two PAIRS? Rams are peaceful, but they can get a bit snarky from what I've heard when mating and protecting their eggs/fry.

All cichlids get a bit aggressive during breeding. But in a 4 foot long tank, I don't think there will be an issue, even if they are 2 breeding pairs.

I was just thinking that having two breeding pairs AND another 6-10 bottom dwellers like corys and otos would be a potential trouble spot. 4 feet of substrate is a lot, but each breeding pair will claim a certain amount as their territory and the corys might get bullied. I don't know. I thought about getting some Apistos for my tank, but was concerned about my corys. Granted I don't have 4 feet of length, but my tank's footprint is still quite large.

Apistos are more aggressive than rams. I think the cories would be just fine, even if rams did so much as bite, they're catfish, they have armor, and barbed fins. But even so, ram aggression as far as I've seen has never gone past butting heads with another ram.

 

[keeyum]

Are the Rams just 2m and 2f or are they two PAIRS? Rams are peaceful, but they can get a bit snarky from what I've heard when mating and protecting their eggs/fry.

They aren't paired as far as I can tell. One female does get a bit beat up on though by both males and the other female is left alone. I'm hoping with the extra space that'll stop (the tank I have them in now is overstocked...embarrassed to go into details but I regularly test and perform water changes to keep my nitrates down...water quality is great).

Crap...I really fell in love with the kribs. I work at PetSmart and we just recently started carrying them. Gorgeous and fascinating fish. I think I'll pass though.

I actually had my corys in with my rams and my rams were nipping their tails I moved them over to a different tank as soon I noticed it. However, again, the tank is overstocked. I also tested out my extremely docile male betta in with the rams and he got his fins nipped after a while too. (Beautiful all black half moon his fins healed quickly and he's perfectly happy in his [beautiful albeit crappy] Fluval Chi). I don't think I'll have a problem with the corys and rams but we'll just have to see. I have a tank they can go in if it doesn't work out.

I've decided on AquaClear 110. Heater is still up in the air...I'll probably just go with the Aqueon Pro 200.

I can't wait to get started!! I'll have to wait till payday though. Such a tease to have this empty tank staring at me in my living room.

Thanks all for the input. Much appreciated!!

 

[Man of fish]

I've actually figured out that the regular glass aqueon heaters are better than the aqueon pros. Not sure why they're pros? I also got semi-mad because my local petsmart carries alot and I mean ALOT more fish than my local petco and they seem to have better water quality. But petco is 2 minutes away and petsmart is 20 minutes away. Hmmph. It's weird how some stores randomly start stocking thongs right? Also btw how much do you get payed I wanna work at petco or petsmart but not sure if it pays enough. Pm me if you don't wanna share here. Please
Cheers,
Matt

 

[onidrase]

I've actually figured out that the regular glass aqueon heaters are better than the aqueon pros. Not sure why they're pros? I also got semi-mad because my local petsmart carries alot and I mean ALOT more fish than my local petco and they seem to have better water quality. But petco is 2 minutes away and petsmart is 20 minutes away. Hmmph. It's weird how some stores randomly start stocking thongs right? Also btw how much do you get payed I wanna work at petco or petsmart but not sure if it pays enough. Pm me if you don't wanna share here. Please
Cheers,
Matt

I find the pros to be better as long as you set them up according to the directions. They're pros because they're made of a more durable material that bigger fish can't break (glass heaters can be broken by aggressive fish)

 

[Man of fish]

Oh well I don't have aggressive fish so no problem for me also I guess I didnt set it up right because it wasn't working great so I bought a regular one as a replacement and the pro is just my backup now. Maybe I'll try to follow them more thouroughly next time I set it up.