Partial stocking done!

Hi everyone

I wanted to give a quick update on my 50 gallon sand substrate project!

Yesterday, I added a Flame Gourami, 2 Panda Corys, and 5 Harleys. So far, so good. I intend to move my 5 corys and 8 cardinals over in the next few days as well. Plants are Brazilian pennywort, Anubias Sp., and Java fern.

My iPhone camera leaves a lot to be desired but here it is!

Comments / questions welcome!!!!

The tanks seems to be really open currently. This is not suitable for a gourami. Also be aware they don't like current, while your other fish wouldn't mind some. What are your further stocking plans? Ideally you should up the number of the Trigonostigma heteromorpha (Harlequin rasbore) to 15-20 depending on the rest of your stocking.

Hobby5, thanks for your reply!

I know that it needs denser vegetation which is what I assume you mean. I am working hard on that! Some more plants are on their way. Hopefully that'll help. Also working on getting an air stone in the tank.

I have noticed he keeps his distance from the light-weight power head I'm using in there but he doesn't seem perturbed by it. The Harleys, on the other hand, ride that thing right into the Biowheel waterfall and love it. Fun times.

My current stock plans are the 7 Cardinal Tetra and the 5 Cory (2 panda, 3 albino) from the 10 gallon tank will be added soon. After that, it's up in the air, I don't want to overstock though of course. Open to suggestions, of course! I've been wanting to try fish I have never kept before, which is one reason I went with the Gourami! And my son really fell in love with the flame gourami at the LFS.

The gourami, nicknamed "Amber", really seems to be happy. So happy in fact he's eating some of my plants... lol.

Here is an updated picture!

Plant life is coming along nicely. I was able to get a photo of all of the fish together more or less! I am excited to get the 10 gallon fish in this weekend.

Yes, the gourami is beautiful. You definitely need more plants You could heavily plant one side of your tank and leave the other side more open.

For sure... the side with the driftwood tangle is going to be built up more with plants. I have to go kinda slow as everything needs to be approved by the executive branch of the house lest I overstay my welcome as a budding aquarist. The tangle sits underneath the powerhead so there won't be too much current for fish who like slower moving water. The raspboras frolick in the current though so I like having it available for them also.

Today I added the rest of my fish from the 10 gallon: 7 cardinal tetra, 5 cory catfish (3 albino 2 panda) bringing the total stocking to:

5 Harleys
7 Corys (3 Albino, 4 panda)
7 Cardinals
1 Flame dwarf gourami

I would like another group of cardinals and / or harleys as they look so beautiful when swimming around together and it brings a lot of movement to the tank. I love the idea of an Angelfish but I just don't think my water is right for them.