Fluval Roma 200 - Community Stocking Suggestions

[RickM]

Hi all,
 
I have a new tank coming tomorrow - A Fluval Roma 200. It's replacing a Juwel Lido 120, which currently haf 5x YoYo Loaches and a 1 rescued Danio. I plan on getting some more Danio to keep the poor (one-eyed) guy happy.
 
I also plan on getting some Bristlenose Plecs once the tank transfer is settled - I'm thinking either 3 or 5.
 
I'm looking for ideas and suggestions on some more community fish for this tank. I've been brainstorming and planning out what I'd like, but would be interested to see what others suggest.
 
So far I've got on my shortlist: (Note: These are basically fish I'd like in there, but wouldnt put in there until I'm satisfied they will be ok with the other fish)
 
- Five Banded Barb
- Bolivian Ram
- Dwarf Gourami
- Rainbow Shark
- Bronze Cory
- Albino Cory
 
I appreciate that the combination of the above likely wont be compatible, and must stress this is just a brainstormed list - not a fixed list of what I will have. I'm tend to be pretty cautious about introducing new fish.
 
The tank will be fairly heavily planted - I've got a large batch of plants coming later this week. I've already got things like Bogwood, and caves for the BN Plecs as well. 
 
Filtration wise I'll be running the internal U4 filter along side a Eheim 2213 - both of these filters are rated at approx 250 litres.
 
I know it probably cant be very well trusted as its automated, but I did a quick check on Aq Advisor which seems to think that the above fish in certain quantities will be (mostly) ok. Take a look: here
 
Any info, recommendations or critique would be appreciated. I'd like to make sure I get a nice friendly stock here

 
Thanks for your time!

 

[wrightt3]

You used inches instead of cm on aq advisor so your results aren't accurate...
I would go with something like this instead:
6 Barbs
6 danios
6 loaches
6 cories of choice
2 bristlenoses
2 rams or gourami
Rainbow sharks aren't really community friendly and need to be the only bottom dweller in the tank

 

[mitch70]

yo yo loaches will probably be too big for your tank and definately not enough room for 3-5  BN Plecos   

 

[RickM]

Hmm, think there's a bug there - I selected the tank from the drop-down list, and you're right - its showing as 100 inches instead of CM. Thought it was being a bit off but wow! Thanks for the heads up there.

You used inches instead of cm on aq advisor so your results aren't accurate...
I would go with something like this instead:
6 Barbs
6 danios
6 loaches
6 cories of choice
2 bristlenoses
2 rams or gourami
Rainbow sharks aren't really community friendly and need to be the only bottom dweller in the tank

I like the sound of that
 
I see what you mean about the shark - will save that one for another day/tank. For the cories, are there any that I should be watching out for (i.e ones to avoid, and ones to go for?). 
 
Cheers

 

[wrightt3]

 For the cories, are there any that I should be watching out for (i.e ones to avoid, and ones to go for?). 
 
Cheers

My experience in cories is limited but I would go for some of the smaller species such as panda cories or bumblebee cories.
Looking back over your post, I just realised your loaches are yoyo loaches. Mitch is right, a shoal of 6 of those will take up a lot of space so I would look into rehoming them and replacing them with something else

 

[RickM]

Yeah I think you're right. They've been ok in the 120 litre as they aren't fully grown yet, and would probably be fine for a while longer in the 200l but will need something bigger in the not too distant future. Will have to see about finding them a new place to live. I wonder if my LFS will take them (Maidenhead Aquatics). 

 

[wrightt3]

I doubt it.
I tried taking some of my mollies down to my nearest maidenhead and they said they couldn't take in any fish that weren't from specific vendors due to legal reasons

You'd have better luck with a privately owned store than a national chain store.

 

[RickM]

I think we've got another one nearby that's privately owned - will have to give them a call tomorrow!

 

[rolo0151]

I had yoyos in my roma 200. Got rid due to the potential size of them & went with zebra loaches. They're cracking fish & ideal for your tank.

 

[RickM]

I think Zebras will be a good option - like you said they are great fish (From what I understand, the Zebras have a very similar personality to the YoYos). I love the YoYo's they are great fun to watch and love swooping around the tank.
 
I've had another play around with some ideas on stocking. Here's what I've got so far:
 

• 2x Bristlenose
• 5x Five Banded Barbs
• 5x Danio
• 1x Dwarf Gourami
• 6x Bronze Cory
• 3x Guppy
• 5x Zebra Loach

I've manually lowered the AQ Advisor ratings at its showing a Roma 200 tank as being 205 litres instead of 200. Based on the above it estimates a stocking level of 89%, Filtration is 169%. 
 
I've still got to check out individual fish compatibility, but its looking good so far and its a pretty nice selection of fish IMO

 
If I can I'd like to go up to 3x Bristlenose, which takes the stocking level up to 97%.

 

[wrightt3]

Personally, I wouldn't add another bristlenose. conspecific aggression between them is fairly high in groups larger than 2. Also as with all Plecos, bristlenoses are very messy for their size.
 
Also, 5 is a pretty low number for shoaling fish. I think you should consider forgetting the cories to ease up competition for food at the bottom of the tank and increase your shoal sizes. Maybe something like this?
-8 barbs
-6 danios
-6 loaches
-3 guppies
-2 bristlenoses
-1 dwarf gourami
I wouldn't rely to heavily on aq advisor TBH. It's a good starting point but take it with a pinch of salt.

 

[RickM]

Thanks wrightt3 - That does look much better than what I came up with

 

[rolo0151]

Yes, the zebras are a lot like yoyos in my experience. I've got 6 in my tank & they're great to watch.
I agree with wrightt3, I had issues keeping cories with my loaches. Kept finding them with eyes missing!
Just my opinion here.... I had similar ideas to you with lots of different types of fish. In the end it just looked a bit odd with guppies, cories, loaches, tetra to name but a few.

I'd go with....
6 zebra loach
1 or 2 plecs
Dwarf or pearl gourami
And just a large shoal of one species

 

[RickM]

Thanks - I'll have to have a think over the next couple of days. I see what you mean about it looking odd with lots of odd species in the tank. I'm in no rush to get it stocked up to the brim, so will likely get the two bristlenose later this week once the tank's had time to settle down and the old media has started working on the new filter.