Hi all

So I'm still fairly new at this, and so far I've only had a few nano tanks, and a 2ft tank. Yesterday i took the plunge and brought my first proper display tank and got a great deal. It's an AR830 so only 160 odd L, but still much bigger than anything I've had.

I was thinking I'd use silica sand as I've already got a big bag lying around, but now I'm thinking a fine darkish pebble would be nicer?

I'm going for a natural look with lots of driftwood, and a decent array of plants.

I like the idea of having a few really nice fish and then a large school of smaller fish. I also want fish on all 3 levels.

Ok so here's my "dream team" for stocking. Obviously wouldnt add them all at once and would make sure tanks fully cycled first.

2 Blue Ram

2 Bolivian Ram

2 Agassizi

20-30 Neon Tetra (however many I can have)

2 L140 (big band tiger plec)

and 6 or so Sterbai corys

Is this too much? Will they go well? Am I dreaming? I've tried researching but It's always nice to get opinions :spop:

Less cichlids. Or maybe have one male to a harem of females? Ask someone who knows their cichlids on here. Hatchet fish are cool, maybe whiptail cats?

Darker substrate is nicer IMO, el natural look is a winner too. I hate fake plants etc, too tacky. If you go to HFF albany they have a tank similar to what you have I think all set up, could inspire you?

i would lose the bolivan rams, and the blue rams, have 1 male agazzi and 3 females (as the male will beat the females

At a glance I'd worry that'd be too much fish and, as Fruju mentioned, too many cichlids. But you could start small and re-asses the situation as time goes on, (say, once you've got 10 neons, 2 rams and the cories?).

Otherwise it looks like you've picked some pretty fish, (though I'm not usually a neon fan), and perhaps you could look at some killies for the top layer if you cut a few of the other fishies out?

Darker substrate is supposed to help bring out brighter colours in fish, I think.

I look forward to seeing this tank! 8)

My L140 look nice on dark sandy stuff. But you know you're going to end up with other plecs :lol:

I'd replace the neons for another tetra. And less cichlids. And maybe not sterbais.

Whiptails are awesome. The red ones are pretty mint. Saw a 20cmish royal today also. He was cool.

Gourami?

My L140 look nice on dark sandy stuff. But you know you're going to end up with other plecs :lol:

I'd replace the neons for another tetra. And less cichlids. And maybe not sterbais.

Whiptails are awesome. The red ones are pretty mint. Saw a 20cmish royal today also. He was cool.

Gourami?

hahahah my male is 25 ish :sml2: , and come see me again if you want, i have some fancy cories give you some ideas

Congo tetras? Oh yeah! African butterfly fish are super cool.

Thanks all unfortunately I'm having to compromise with my mum on this so some fish are out of the question and others I have to have :facepalm:

I'll add all the cichlids one by one and see how they go. I would have liked some gourami but *sigh* mum doesnt like them.

I don't want any plecs that are tooo big because big plecs equal big poop :slfg:

Sounds like I'm going for dark substrate also :lol:

Mostly i just want as many bright colours and patterns as I can squeeze in (hence the sterbais )

Any suggestions for replacements for the cichlids are welcome :spop:

Also mum wants the neons but I'm hoping to at least get cardinals or penguins

Congo tetras? Oh yeah! African butterfly fish are super cool.

Oh they're gorgeous!! I'll look into them

Edit: Congo tetras may be a bit too big for what I'm looking at because I don't want to over-stock, but I may have to get some to add to my 2ft :love:

The African butterfly fish although cool, may be a bit too odd for my mums liking haha

if she doesnt like gouramis show her a pearl gourami male

:happy2:

rainbow fish :love:

if she doesnt like gouramis show her a pearl gourami male

:happy2:

Nope, she still doesnt like them :dunno: too boring apparently. Once again though, may have to get some for the 2ft in my bedroom :happy2:

rainbow fish :love:

Tried googling them and it just came up with the picture book :slfg:

Nope, she still doesnt like them :dunno: too boring apparently. Once again though, may have to get some for the 2ft in my bedroom :happy2:

i have some male pearls , and sterbais,whiptails i have :lol:

there is heaps of species

http://www.rainbowfishes.eu/gallery/v/melanotaenia/

http://www.rainbowfishes.eu/gallery/v/glossolepis/

http://www.rainbowfishes.eu/gallery/v/chilatherina/

just a few samples :sage:

there is heaps of species

http://www.rainbowfishes.eu/gallery/v/melanotaenia/

http://www.rainbowfishes.eu/gallery/v/glossolepis/

http://www.rainbowfishes.eu/gallery/v/chilatherina/

just a few samples :sage:

Oh they are nice!

i have some male pearls , and sterbais,whiptails i have :lol:

Might have to take another trip to your house when I've paid off the tank and have cash to blow! :slfg:

Got any female albinos available yet? :smln:

The tank has arrived!! Sooo excited to fire this bad boy up :slfg:

Might have to take another trip to your house when I've paid off the tank and have cash to blow! :slfg:

I'm walking distance and you cant even make it to mine :lol:

Rainbow fish are pretty cool.

I'm walking distance and you cant even make it to mine :lol:

Rainbow fish are pretty cool.

Haha not during the week I can't :lol: I'm lazy!

Butterflyfish are awesome! Your mum will change her mind after watching them

Buenos Aires tetras or emperor tetras are great, I would go for those over neons any day. Diamond tetras are good too.

Gravel is in and buying the heater, background, air pump and bubble wall tomorrow!

I'm now thinking I'll bump the bolivian cichlids and add a small school of cheery barbs after falling in love with Neons last night. Will see how it goes :thup:

go for a big school of neons then not just 10-20, go for like 50+

Still hoping not to have the neons, I'd like to get something a bit special

Just worried about over stocking. At the moment I'm thinking 2 L140, 6 Sterbais, 2 Blue rams, 10 cherry barbs, and a school of neons or something. Is that too much for a 165L?

Maybe 2 golden rams if I can fit them too :spop: