Stocking Advice For A Juwel Rio 180?

[Mr Melt]

Hey guys. Basically I bought a 2nd hand Juwel Rio for £180 (including cabinet). Good deal - was quite dirty but I've cleaned it and spraypainted the hood (as it was scoured in places and no amount of cleaning would fix it).

Naturally I did all this cleaning with no fish in the tank! I think I'll do a fishless cycle, or at the very least get some old filter sponge from either my 50 ltr (or from my friend who has generously offered to donate a massive bit of her filter sponge).

At any rate I'm in a dilemna - what fish should I get?

Well I've done a bit of research on fish sizes and compatability and I've come up with this list:

- x1 Discus
- x2 Angelfish
- x2 German Blue Rams
- x2 Red Dwarf Gouramis
- x6 Congo Tetras
- x1 Snowball Pleco
- x2 Assorted Mollies

Now as far as I'm aware they all work fine together (apart from potential parasite infection between the Discus and Angelfish, which will be remedied by Discus powder before I put the Discus in). My only worry is - will they all fit comfortably in the tank, or is that overstocked? Or even more horrific - is it understocked?!?!?!?!? =P

I'd greatly appreciate any advice from you lads (you have all done brilliantly in helping me with my 50 litre Fishbox, which is still going strong with no problems =D)

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Discus prefer very soft water, and mollies prefer very hard water. I can't speak about the others.

 

[Mr Melt]

Discus prefer very soft water, and mollies prefer very hard water. I can't speak about the others.

Then I can replace the mollies.

The reason I considered them was because I was told that mollies "appreciate" brackish water. I didn't think it was necessary for them though.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Yeah eagles is right, different water qualities. Also a songle discus isnt a great option, they are schoaling fish tbh. Angels, rams and discus all do well at higher temps but i dont know about the gourami.

Also two male gouramis could potentially fight, i can speak from experience on that.. This might consoder a bit of a re-think

 

[StandbySetting]

A 180L is unsuitable for a Discus, the Blue Rams should be kept at temperatures of 28-32oC, so Bolivians will be a better idea as they're more compatible with the other stock, also the Mollies will prefer harder water.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Lol is it a rio 180 or was it £180???

 

[Mr Melt]

Lol is it a rio 180 or was it £180???

Both =P

A 180L is unsuitable for a Discus, the Blue Rams should be kept at temperatures of 28-32oC, so Bolivians will be a better idea as they're more compatible with the other stock, also the Mollies will prefer harder water.

Bolivian Rams? Are they compatible in a community tank? I thought they only mixed with other cichlids.....

Yeah eagles is right, different water qualities. Also a songle discus isnt a great option, they are schoaling fish tbh. Angels, rams and discus all do well at higher temps but i dont know about the gourami.

Also two male gouramis could potentially fight, i can speak from experience on that.. This might consoder a bit of a re-think

Reason I opted for one discus is because apparently discus are quite aggressive when in small numbers together.......

 

[KkAaNnEe]

A pound a litre, lol fair enough. Bolivians are fine for community

Its just not really a great option, plus as mentiomed the tank is too small, only just but it is... I have just upgraded 180 > 300 for discus

 

[Mr Melt]

A pound a litre, lol fair enough. Bolivians are fine for community

Its just not really a great option, plus as mentiomed the tank is too small, only just but it is... I have just upgraded 180 > 300 for discus

So much for a pound a litre - the tightarse didnt include any water with the sale.......... scandalous ¬_¬

And if its only just too small, could someone advise another prize fish for the tank? I also considered a red tailed shark but I'm not too sure.....

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Why not just a larger group of angels? Maybe 4 instead of just two? (I guess the fear of two pairing up is a concern...)

 

[KkAaNnEe]

I struggled with a centrepiece fish in my rio, rts are cool when small, bu they get to like 6" and can be bullyish, not much of a centrepiece either conpared to discus lol

Your angels will be centrepieces as they grow bigger, i cant really thonk roght now...

 

[StandbySetting]

Fire mouth Cichlids? Obviously you'd have to rethink your stocking then.

 

[Mr Melt]

Fire mouth Cichlids? Obviously you'd have to rethink your stocking then.

I love the vibrant colors of cichlids, but unfortunately they cant live in that setup =/

What are Oscar's like in terms of size and compatability?

Edit - just had a look myself; LOL. Could I even dare risk fitting one in my 180 litre tank? When you see fish like that it makes the new tank look so puny.....

 

[Mr Melt]

Well either way, with the original setup (theoretically); is the tank fully stocked or can I get more in there?

 

[KkAaNnEe]

No Oscar lol

I would say its fully stocked

I think even with the congo tetras you might be better going with say 10 neons/cardinals/rasboras instead as congos grow to about 3" and they may look quite big considering there would be 6

Most of your fish are like 3" might be nice to just change it up a bit