Stocking 70 Gallon

[Dylan_89]

AquaOne 650s
Fluval 305
70 gallon cube!

Definite occupants:
BGK - temporary home, he is still small at the moment so he has a few years before he needs a new tank!
Clown Loaches - at the moment I have 2 small ones, will be getting a third. Again slow growing and will re-house eventually with the BGK.

Possible occupants??? (not all of these, just a selection)
Angelfish (a pair)
Rainbow Shark (on his lonesome)
Bristlenose Cats (2 most likely)
Silver Dollars (3 or 4)
Dwarf Gourami (3 or 4)

I'm not a fan of dwarf cichlids, just not my style I think.
Tossing up a few other choices, but curious to hear what you lot would put in the tank!

 

[Uriel]

Clown loaches are social and you should have 5+ ideally. This adds to the problem that as you obviously realise they will require a very big well filtered tank when they are older as they get huge.

 

[Dylan_89]

I know, ideally 5+. room does not allow.. they won't die & suffer when there are just 3 of them though.. also thinking of getting a pakistani

 

[Aqua Tom]

I know, ideally 5+. room does not allow.. they won't die & suffer when there are just 3 of them though.. also thinking of getting a pakistani

No they wont, they will just be a bit misserable.

+1 for the Angels. They will look top notch in that tank.

 

[Dylan_89]

I know clowns grow slow, but how slowly?
i.e.: if i had 4 or 5 that were no bigger than 2" each.. how long would they be comfortable in the 70 gallon before i need to re-house??

Definitely getting angels, I'd like a pair (hopefully I can get an already paired couple from a LFS or breeder) if not I might get 4 and hope I get a pair, give away the other 2 to friends I know with cichlid tanks... which do u guys suggest?

 

[Uriel]

I'm sure someone more versed in clown loach will come and comment about how quickly they will grow. I'm not saying they can't survive in small groups. I just prefer to see fish kept in optimal conditions and for loach this is big groups.

When you say pair of angels, do you mean breeding pair. Most Angels become very territorial when breeding and that territory can be quite large. 1/3 of my 500l tank when i had them. Personally if i was trying to breed them i would keep 6 in a suitable size species tank or if you just fancy the angels for appearance i would be more inclined just to get 1.

 

[Dylan_89]

I dont necessarily want them to breed, just get along.

 

[Aqua Tom]

I dont necessarily want them to breed, just get along.

get one almighty pretty one then.

 

[Dylan_89]

get one almighty pretty one then.

Very well then, 1 angel will do me just fine

so my stocking is now:
1 x BGK
4-5 x Clown Loach
1 x Angelfish


Still looking for some more occupants!

 

[Dylan_89]

Adding 1x Rainbow Shark to the stocking...

Come on people!! I need ideas!!! Work is killing my imagination!