Stocking Suggestions For A 3Ft Community Tank

[Raticataticus]

Hi everyone. I think I might finally take the plunge and get my first 'big' tank. Something around the 3ft mark or a little bit bigger. 

I need some help with the stocking.

So far I am thinking:

1 x Coral Blue Dwarf Gourami
Neon Tetras (how many?)
Corydoras (how many/what type?)
Kuhli Loaches (how many?) 

^^^^ Those are the fish I am really set on having.

I would also like to have some guppies and/or mollies, but I am not overly worried whether I can have them or not. I think I have heard that mollies are extremely aggressive. Is this true?

I will do sand for the substrate and somewhat planted (combo of fake and real, depending on what I can keep alive).

Any suggestions for what else I can have? Will they get along? Will I be overstocked if I get all of these fish?

 

[elmo666]

Right, in answer to your question those selected won't get along if you want to match the fish to its preferred conditions. Ideally neons prefer slight soft, acid conditions, mollies harder water. The next thing to ask yourself is do you want to adjust your tap water or use it as it is. If you want an easier life, test your water, see what it is and match your fish to it. Yes, most fish in your lfs will tolerate a range of conditions, they'll have been in all kinds from breeder to wholesaler and on to lfs. But they'll certainly be at there best in the optimum parameters for the species. Bare in mind that fish such as neons are best in groups of six or more and this will affect your stocking levels.

 

[jamesy100]

I have a 3ft tank (190 litres) and I've had up to 20 tetras and 12 cories in it before. Gouramis are a great choice ~ I have 5 honey gouramis, and they add a great deal of colour and grace to my tank. You can see my current stock in my signature below.
I would also look at cardinal tetras instead of neons. They look almost the same, but seem to be a lot hardier than the neons.

 

[Byron]

As Damian mentioned, first thing is to ascertain your water parameters for your source water which presumably will be tap water (or perhaps well).  If you are on municipal water, you can find this out from them, likely on their website.  GH refers to general hardness.  KH or Alkalinity refers to the carbonate hardness.  And then there is pH which is the acidic or basic issue.  These three are all connected.
 
Some fish can adapt to some extent provided the extremes (very soft or very hard) are not involved.  But other fish need more specific water.  For instance, you mention mollies, and these must have moderately hard water for the mineral content.
 
Solely with respect to numbers of fish mentioned, tetras need a group and the more the better.  Same for corys and loaches.  Sand is good for the latter two.  Keep in mind though that kuhli loaches tend to hide a lot.  Both of these fish groups need some cover like chunks of wood, but the corys will be out and about a fair bit.
 
Dwarf Gourami is a risky fish due to a virus it can carry.  This fish should only be acquired from reputable breeders, never bought from a store unless you know who bred them.
 
Byron.

 

[SeanTrollope]

mollies arent aggresive