What Livestock To Add To New 75 Gallon

[Mikewezyk]

Soon I'm going to be transferring a 10 gallon tank to a 75 gallon. It used to have 7 tiger barbs but they died of age I guess (2 years) and 4 younger ones are left. I also have a huge java fern and a large other plant (might be an amazon sword). I plan on partially moving the water and substrate for the bacteria and will let it cycle for about 2 weeks before adding fish. Now what I was wondering was this: which fish can I add to fill up the aquarium (yes...I know not at once). There is 75 gallons so there is a lot of space to fill. I will definitely add some other barbs first. Also can I add regular dirt under the substrate and how much light will I need. The canopy has 2 full spectrum fluorescent lights and I think I may add a third blue light for the night, is that enough? I really want some variety because the plain old tank isn't doing it for me.
Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Ruskull]

Tiger Barbs make choosing tank mates a bit hard. They are very nippy unless they're kept in large groups where they can keep their aggression between themselves. If you like Tiger Barbs maybe do a large tank of them? Or they can be re homed and you can start from scratch with whatever you want. I mean many people get lucky and their Tigers aren't a problem but those are the exception, not the general rule.

What kind of fish do you like?

 

[RyanV]

I love my tiger barbs! I have a 55 gallon tank with: tiger barbs- red rosey barbs- buenos aires tetra- bolivian rams- red tailed black shark- pleco. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what to stock this tank with and I can say I couldn't be happier with these fish together, I have ever had any problems with the fish getting along. I hope that my stocking might help you decide what to put them with. Your could also always mix tigers with albinos, green, and cherry bards too

 

[thereverendturtle]

75 gallons gives you lots of options, but as asked earlier besides the tiger barbs, what do you like? Bigger fish like cichlids? Community fish like tetras, danios and rainbowfish? Oddballs? The list goes on....