Stocking Plan

[Overload]

Ok I have not started cycling yet, and I wont be buying any fish until the tank has cycled fully, look out for the log on that when I start. However I have been looking into what I might get.

Tank basics:

Seabray Dolphin aprox 300 liters 4 foot long, 15 inches wide about 25 inches deep
Eagle Aquatics HW-304 canister filter (rated at 2000 l/hour)
Fluval E 300 heater

Tap water stats

GH 14
KH 14
PH 7.4
Ammonia 0-0.25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 40

Planned substrate - Argos playsand
Will have live plants, not sure how many, though the idea of a moss wall along the back has a lot of appeal.
Lighting system to be confirmed (was damaged in crash so looking into replacements)

So my current thoughts on fish -
High probables (Would this leave me overstocked on its own?)
15-20 cardinal Tetras
15-20 five-banded barb
10 Corys (not sure which species)

Other thoughts, hopefully one or two from the below
Cherry Shrip
pearl gourami (pair or trio)
Apistogramma Cacatuoides (pair or trio)
Rams (not sure on type, pair or trio)
Kribs (Pair or trio)
Guppys, Mollys, Platys or Swardtails

As I said, nothing is fixed in terms of fish but looking to focus the list a bit so I get the right set up.

So any thoughts or comments?

 

[Tizer]

being only 4 foot long, you are going to have issues with that many breeding pairs. When my kribs bred they would take over a third of the tank and life honestly becomes a little miserable for the other fish as they are constantly chased off. I would suggest trying one pair or trio and see if they do breed, be it kribs, rams, whatever.

oh and some of those fish will eat your plants, i know juvi kribs will, they are destroying some of mine! Make sure you get hardy plants, java ferns, anubias etc. etc. the leaves are too thick for them to munch.

 

[Overload]

being only 4 foot long, you are going to have issues with that many breeding pairs. When my kribs bred they would take over a third of the tank and life honestly becomes a little miserable for the other fish as they are constantly chased off. I would suggest trying one pair or trio and see if they do breed, be it kribs, rams, whatever.

oh and some of those fish will eat your plants, i know juvi kribs will, they are destroying some of mine! Make sure you get hardy plants, java ferns, anubias etc. etc. the leaves are too thick for them to munch.

Thanks for the feedback Tizer. I was only looking at one or two of the pairs, too much choice! So put down what I liked and hoped for some feedback to help thin it down.
Which would be most suitable with the shoals?
Also would the shrimp still be suitable?

 

[Tizer]

Both barbs and cardinals are peaceful, but the cardinals are more suited to a mature tank and you might see some die off if you went for them. Could go up to 30.

A good alternative and i absolutely love them in my tank are the Rummynose Tetras, perhaps something else to consider, could get up to 25.

Five banded barbs are nice enough, but they dont really do it for me, lovely colours though when settled in and happy, probably wouldnt get more than 15.

As for corys, you could get away with 20 or so but would be pushing your luck with more.

Shrimp, no idea, not my cuppa sorry.

oh and any of the breeding trio's / pairs will get along with any/all of the schools mentioned. but i cant say for certain that the barbs wont predate on the fry.

 

[Overload]

Both barbs and cardinals are peaceful, but the cardinals are more suited to a mature tank and you might see some die off if you went for them. Could go up to 30.

A good alternative and i absolutely love them in my tank are the Rummynose Tetras, perhaps something else to consider, could get up to 25.

Five banded barbs are nice enough, but they dont really do it for me, lovely colours though when settled in and happy, probably wouldnt get more than 15.

As for corys, you could get away with 20 or so but would be pushing your luck with more.

Shrimp, no idea, not my cuppa sorry.

oh and any of the breeding trio's / pairs will get along with any/all of the schools mentioned. but i cant say for certain that the barbs wont predate on the fry.

Thanks again Tizer, will have to look into rummynose tatras a bit more.
Any advice on which kind of corys are good to start with?

Breeding is more a secondary concern, if it does seem successful I will invest in a fry tank.

 

[Tizer]

Its a difficult one with corys, there are so many of the little blighters and they are all quite "cute". If i wiped out my cory collection and started over, i would 100% without doubt get 10 of these:

Venezuela's Cory

They are super busy little fish.

Then i would probably get 10 Pandas.

People love Sterbai's because they are dark and spotty and very active, but they also prefer a slightly warmer tank, which not all of the breeding pairs you like prefer.

Lots of shops sell albino corys, bronze corys and peppered corys, i've got a few of the latter myself. If you want to breed some eventually these are the ones which seem easiest. That said, no reason why my choice ones wont too. Plus getting rid of the more rare fry is a lot easier than the common ones. Every mug has albinos for some reason

PS, if you are getting corys, get a nice fine sand substrate. Argos play sand for example is as good as it gets at £3 a bag.

 

[Overload]

Its a difficult one with corys, there are so many of the little blighters and they are all quite "cute". If i wiped out my cory collection and started over, i would 100% without doubt get 10 of these:

Venezuela's Cory

They are super busy little fish.

Then i would probably get 10 Pandas.

People love Sterbai's because they are dark and spotty and very active, but they also prefer a slightly warmer tank, which not all of the breeding pairs you like prefer.

Lots of shops sell albino corys, bronze corys and peppered corys, i've got a few of the latter myself. If you want to breed some eventually these are the ones which seem easiest. That said, no reason why my choice ones wont too. Plus getting rid of the more rare fry is a lot easier than the common ones. Every mug has albinos for some reason

PS, if you are getting corys, get a nice fine sand substrate. Argos play sand for example is as good as it gets at £3 a bag.

Thanks Tizer, those Venezuela's Cory look super cute!
Starting to get a better picture of where I am heading. Need someone with a bit more experience with the shrimp to advice on them but I think I have a plan forming on the fish side.

I already have a bag of Argos playsand ready to wash

 

[Tizer]

you will probably want 2 or 3 bags for a tank your size

 

[Overload]

you will probably want 2 or 3 bags for a tank your size

I think you are right there, lol, will get more after my holiday

 

[Twinklecaz]

2 bags should be plenty, my tank is 2 foot and I only needed one bag. and I had quite a bit left over.

Lol Tizer do you consider a 4 foot/300l a small tank? It's massive to me!

 

[Tizer]

It doesnt matter how many litres it is, many fish dwell on the bottom and a breeding pair of fish will often dominate the tank as they move around with their fry.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Oh I see what you mean, too many bottom dwellers/breeders.

I have dreams about 300l

 

[Overload]

Oh I see what you mean, too many bottom dwellers/breeders.

I have dreams about 300l

Was an lucky (and unlucky) find on ebay, £72 including stand and kit (though most of the kit was broken in the crash)

 

[Harlequins]

Oh I see what you mean, too many bottom dwellers/breeders.

I have dreams about 300l

me too or larger