Stocking Advice For 180l Tank

[deucebrennan]

So i have Got my new 180L tank set up and its nearly finished cycling. its my first tropical tank that i want to put tropical fish in. I have a 70L tank with some gold fish in and some Plecs which i keep like it was a tropical tank. stable temp, PH, 0ppm ammonia, 0ppm Nitrite, 30ppm Nitrate. The new tank is probably about 2 weeks from this quality and has plants in a a couple of Goldies in to help with the ammonia source. I haven't kept tropical fish before and im while i know what i would like, im not sure that they would all get on or perhaps need different PH levels or temp etc?

So this is what i had in mind(stocking levels im unsure of as well so any ideas here will be much appreciated)

Zebra lace angel fish
Tiger barbs
Dwarf Gourami
Blue glass or ribbon king cobra guppies
Platty
Cardinal tetras
Black Phantom tetras
some kind of Plec

i know i cant have a good number of all of them but let me know your ideas and experiences please!

 

[deucebrennan]

Maybe not the Tigers as i hear they can be aggressive. How about the rest people?http/www.fishforums.net/style_images/ip.boardpr/folder_post_icons/icon1.gif

 

[jacko9901]

Maybe not the Tigers as i hear they can be aggressive. How about the rest people?http/www.fishforums.net/style_images/ip.boardpr/folder_post_icons/icon1.gif

i think they only get agressive if they are in small groups. if you get 6-8 of them or even more they should be fine.

 

[Callum]

Tiger Barbs with angel fish is a recipe for WW3. The tigers will nip the angels who will rip the barbs to pieces.

 

[rabbut]

The barbs and phantom tetras and angels will have a go at the guppies, and the phantoms and barbs will have a go at the angels. Depending on the angels temprament, the barbs and phantoms may then be murdered, or more likely the barbs + tetras will the chase the angles arround the tank untill there is no tails left

Dwarf Blue gourami are often aggressive, but you will get the occasional good one...

How about

3 Zebra lace angel fish
3, 1 male 2 female Dwarf Gourami
5 Platty
10 Cardinal tetras
1 bristle nose Plec

The angels may pair off, or may not, but if they do they may become teritorial so watch for this. No more than 1 dwarf gourami in a tank, or they will fight.

Add half of the fish one you have your tank cycled, then add the other half once your tank has been going 6 months or more. This is to allow the tank to mature. A mature tank will support more fish than a newly set-up one. Some may consider this overstocked, but IMO if you keep on top of waterchanges you will be fine. Presumably you won't mid waterchanges, after keeping the messy coldwater fish you have experience with.

At least 30% weekly would be minimum for waterchanges with this stocking, but more may be required. Alternatively, leave the anges out, and get 5 more plattys. this would require about 20% weekly, or 30% fortnighly I would assume from experience. All depends on water stats though

HTH
Rabbut

 

[deucebrennan]

The barbs and phantom tetras and angels will have a go at the guppies, and the phantoms and barbs will have a go at the angels. Depending on the angels temprament, the barbs and phantoms may then be murdered, or more likely the barbs + tetras will the chase the angles arround the tank untill there is no tails left

Dwarf Blue gourami are often aggressive, but you will get the occasional good one...

How about

3 Zebra lace angel fish
3, 1 male 2 female Dwarf Gourami
5 Platty
10 Cardinal tetras
1 bristle nose Plec

The angels may pair off, or may not, but if they do they may become teritorial so watch for this. No more than 1 dwarf gourami in a tank, or they will fight.

Add half of the fish one you have your tank cycled, then add the other half once your tank has been going 6 months or more. This is to allow the tank to mature. A mature tank will support more fish than a newly set-up one. Some may consider this overstocked, but IMO if you keep on top of waterchanges you will be fine. Presumably you won't mid waterchanges, after keeping the messy coldwater fish you have experience with.

At least 30% weekly would be minimum for waterchanges with this stocking, but more may be required. Alternatively, leave the anges out, and get 5 more plattys. this would require about 20% weekly, or 30% fortnighly I would assume from experience. All depends on water stats though

HTH
Rabbut

Thanks Rabbut! That was exactly the advice i needed!
You said that the Angels will go for the Guppys, but then you suggest swapping them for Plattys. Are they not similar with regards to the fins? So will the Plattys have the same problem or are they a bit bigger or hardy? Just a thought?

 

[stang1]

Black Phantom Tetras should be fine, I've never known of one to fin nip and they are one of the more peaceful tetras.
You could keep a male Dwarf Gourami with two females, alternatively a small group of Honey Gouramies.
Other than that, Rabbuts suggestions on stocking are good.