PeggySue

Cheers Fraser, I like how the white sand looks too - got it from 'Stone & Water World' in Mt Wellington, not badly priced at $17 for a 25kg bag (only needed the one bag)! I'm agreeing with you on the gouramis - thinking now to aim to put in more loaches, they look like a lot more fun!! Might have a nosey at those apisto hongsloi at hff, but too soon for me add any to the tank - something to think about for later down the track though!

Thanks David - when I purchased the tank second hand from Fruju, he gave me all those great plants, wood & rocks which made setting up the tank really easy! Good advice on the Cichlids - think I'll plan to add those cichlids together last as the tank should be well established by then.

Cheers everyone. Yeah, this is my first tropical tank - so really looking forward to begin stocking this weekend. Think I'll start out by adding a few 'Black Widow Tetras'.

I finally purchased my tank this weekend (second hand from Fruju!! - Thanks Fraser, I'm really pleased with it & really appreciated all your help & advice). Here's how its looking so far. Did a 50% water change yesterday, & the tank has completely clear now, no cloudyness from the white sand. I plan to fill out the rear of the tank with tall plants & rock formations (with plenty of hidey holes). Tests are all good. So just waiting now for the weekend to start adding fish (& finish the decor!). I plan to add Black Widows (4 or 5), Diamond Tetras (4 or 5), 3 Cockatoo's (1M 2 F), Blue Rams (pair), Keyhole Cichlids (pair), Pleco (maybe Chocolate Zebra), Loaches (3 Yoyo or Striata), & considering Boesemani Rainbow Fish (5) & Ottos. Of course adding gradually - any advice on which to put in first, what order?

Thanks again for all the helpful advice & positive feedback on my choice of fish from everyone. And big thanks Jenniferh on the trade & exchange recommendation, currently in contact with Fruju in regards to the tank. I think its an ideal tank for me to start with - within my budget & the right size for our little house. I'm aware that wider would be better, but I hope that 99cm(w) x 60cm(h) is a ratio that is satisfactory to begin with. I'll be keeping my eye on Dwarf Cichlid territorial battles, but like the suggestion of having a pair of Rams & 3 (1M, 2F) Cockatoos. And really looking forward to getting a pair of Keyholes as I only ever hear & read good things about them. I see I'll need to be careful about 'water balance' when introducing Rainbows - thought they would be an interesting contrast to the Dwarf Cichlids, and occupy the mid to upper levels of the tank. Any other suggestions? Cheers

Thanks for all the helpful advice. I'm yet to purchase my tank (hanging out for payday!!). But have been looking at the 215L Aqua One AR980 - 99cm (w) x 47cm (d) x 60cm (h). Considering going second hand, so keeping watch on a few on Trade Me. So pretty much just in the planning stage at the moment - but really looking forward to getting up & running!

Hi, I'm new to this forum, so would appreciate any advice you have for me on Dwarf Cichlids. I have been researching for the last 6 weeks on what types of freshwater tropicals I want to put in a new tank set up. I'm not keen on big fish - 15cm would be maximum for me. I was considering a Cichlid tank as I think they're stunning, but after observing set ups at various pet stores, I've decided the level of aggression was a bit much for me. I'm wanting a bit more of a peaceful (but not too sedate!!) set up, but with interesting interactions. So I've been looking at Dwarf Cichlids which I think are fantastic - I understand there will be some aggression, so I wanted to check that my 'planned' set up (Dwarfs with other peaceful fish) will be right. My plan is as follows: • 215L tank. Decorated with plenty of rocks (hiding spots), black sand, bogwood, hardy plants & moss • 3x Apistogramma Cacatuoides (Cockatoo), 3x Mikrogeophagus Ramirezi (German Blue) - is 3 a good number, or am I better with pairs? • 2x Cleithracara Maronii (Keyholes) - not Dwarfs I know, but told they are really lovely peaceful Cichlids • 5x Melanotaenia Boesemani (Boesemans Rainbow Fish) • 2x Colisa Lalia (Dwarf Gourami) • Considering a shoal of Black Phantom Tetra • Any suggestions on suitable catfish, suckerfish (maybe Otocinclus Affinis?). And is 2 types of Dwarf Cichlids more than enough, any possibility of adding another type such as Apistogramma Borelli as well or will the territorial battles be too much? (with lessening the amount of other fish). And last question - could I put any of these fish in to initially cycle the tank? Very grateful for any pearls of wisdom!!