Is This A Viable Stocking Idea For My New Tank?

[scouse_andy]

keep us posted with pics as you stock it!

I most certainly will. Just working on my scape at the moment, need a couple more big pieces of bogwood to add some height to the tank and a few taller fake plants. No idea how close I am to a cycled tank - I inherited a mature filter and I've been feeding the tank ammonia for the last week. Ordered an API test kit off the net last week, which has only just been dispatched so it could be a few days or a few weeks I guess.

I've always really enjoyed plecs and had quite a few different L numbers in the past but I really fancy something new for this tank.

Yes, I'm after something for the mid/top of the tank and IME columbians stay just above mid level - lovely blues with their red fins too - considered giant danio but like the idea of a pretty big shoal, which I couldn't do with those. The other one that crossed my mind was rummy nose tetra as they shoal tightly but not sure how good they are as dither - also a bit on the small side and may get eaten by the rotkeil??

I'm hoping for a good mix of colour as you mention and a fair disribution of fish around the tank.

I'll keep an eye out for your stock and any pics you've posted too.

 

[scouse_andy]

I'm just thinking through how I want my tank to end up looking and reconsidering the bottom strata particularly, just not wanting to rule options out too quickly.

I'm totally set on
1 Rotkeil
2 Rainbow Cichlids
10-15 Columbian Tetras

but then not too sure on the cupids, they do look very pretty but I know they are not readily available and are quite expensive, am I right in thinking that they will stick towards the bottom and quite likely claim their own territory a bit like rams or am I going to see them up higher in the tank too?

I do like the look of flagtail catfish but again they don't crop up too often. Not overly keen on hoplos however.

If I were to leave the cupids and flagtails I could possibly go with a pair of Bolivian Rams or a trio of apistos (always fancied keeping these but have hard water pH 7.8 - would they fare ok?)

I've always fancied a group of corydoras sterbai - would I be right in thinking that these would fare ok in the tank? Otherwise I could go with a plec or 2, I'm reasonably experienced with plecs but just don't know how much I'd end up seeing them in this tank.

Is there anything else that could fit the bill in this tank to go with the rottie, rainbows and dither? Another colourful mid-sized cichlid I could keep in there with a plec or 2? So many choices, just want the bottom part of the tank to be interesting.

 

[njstockley]

is a tough one...and my advice would be dont commit to anything! stocking ideas change so much, and is so dependant on what you find in the shops/on line... keep an open idea to the flagtails/cupids etc but dont go saying you only want one or the other..!

im hoping to pick up my flagtails this weekend: if i can then ill put up some pics, if not then i'll let you know what else im considering a our stocking looks pretty similar!

i have to admit though hoplos are great...really similar to flagtails from what ive seen.