Stocking ideas for 200L tank.

[LostBear]

That photo is exceptional. It's not just that your bristlenose is surrounded by cories and looks like he's undercover, but the way he's looking at the camera too! like "shush! Don't give me away!" or "yeah, and?"

It really is, isn't it?

 

[LostBear]

Hi everyone,

I have finally got my 200 litre never been used tank out of storage, I have an idea in mind for the setup- I was going to go with play sand, large rocks, driftwood and lots of plants. Its going to be a while before it’s ready for fish but I was hoping to have an idea as to which fish I was going to stock it with so I could research each species and their requirements. I would like a pleco preferably one that will stay fairly small, however I have no clue as to what can go with it and there is such conflicting information online about each species, in addition to the pleco I would like some small schooling fish, and maybe some medium sized colourful ones too. Could you please advise the best options? My ph is 7.4, I’m not sure of water hardness but the test kit comes tomorrow.

I would also like to keep my tank under stocked if possible and at the same time have it looking busy.
Thank you for all your replies.

I'll leave suggestions to people with more experience, but I just wanted to say - how lovely that you want an understocked tank.

It always makes my heart sink when people are asking "How many can I squash in?" without a thought for what might happen if the filter/ aerator fails, or that the fish might prefer to have enough space to swim and frolic and not be stuck nose to tail in a sort of fish gridlock!

I'm sure it'll look lovely - there are some beautifully planted tanks on Youtube which are far from heavily stocked, and to see the fish joyfully darting round (or swimming in a stately fashion, depending on species) is a delight.

 

[mbsqw1d]

I have a test kit coming tomorrow. I currently have a 10g Betta tank not sure if they are similar in terms of hardness..... he’s doing great

If you know who your local water supplier is (mine is Severn Trent for example), they nearly always post your water's parameters on their website (think they may have to by law actually). If you can grab them and share it here we'll help to let you know

 

[xxamyxx85]

Thank you so much.

 

[xxamyxx85]

So would the guppies be okay as well and if so how many corydoras and guppies? Thanks again

 

[CassCats]

10dgh = 178ppm

As per Seriouslyfish, guppies can handle 143ppm and over

And many cories can handle that hardness.
But you may be limited on some tetras. But black neon tetras are fine up to 215ppm. So they're good.

Personally, I'd go:
3 male guppies
10 black neon tetras
1 bristlenose pleco
10-15 corydoras (bronze, peppered, sterbai, trilineatus, would be your best options)

 

[xxamyxx85]

Ok so with,
10 neon tetras
1 bristlenose pleco
3 Male guppies
10 corydoras
could I still have the Bolivian ram cichlid and the nerite snail?

Thank you all so much. Im getting way ahead of myself but very excited..... Ive just begged my boyfriend to build the base for the tank this weekend. whoop whoop!!

 

[HoldenOn]

Ok so with,
10 neon tetras
1 bristlenose pleco
3 Male guppies
10 corydoras
could I still have the Bolivian ram cichlid and the nerite snail?

Thank you all so much. Im getting way ahead of myself but very excited..... Ive just begged my boyfriend to build the base for the tank this weekend. whoop whoop!!

I'd skip the ram if you got the corydoras and plecos, seems like a-lot of bottom fish. But for sure on the snail! If you still think you are missing the pop, you could probably get a honey gourami. Get a second opinion though.

 

[CassCats]

Id choose the guppies over the ram in place of your "centerpiece" and to keep your bioload lower.

 

[mbsqw1d]

I'd skip the ram if you got the corydoras and plecos, seems like a-lot of bottom fish. But for sure on the snail! If you still think you are missing the pop, you could probably get a honey gourami. Get a second opinion though.

Agree. I wouldn't really even describe rams as a centrepiece fish as they just tend to find their own spot somewhere around the bottom of the tank and stay there. Also sometimes aggressively defending its territory which could cause the cories harm

 

[xxamyxx85]

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all your suggestions, I’m all set! I went to bed thinking about fish and woke up the same! This is the first hobby I’ve had that I can physically manage, I used to do so many crafts but unfortunately became unwell in 2012 and have had to give everything up due to my hands or my back etc etc. Now I have actually found something I CAN do and enjoy and to top it off I can share with all of you lovely people, it’s so nice to be part of something and to have all these wonderful little fishes to learn about and look forward to! I Love this place and you are all fantastic!

 

[xxamyxx85]

So I am now also wondering the best way to cycle 200L tank. As stated in my first post I want to use sand rocks and lots of plants, I was hoping to plant everything up as tank was being set up before it’s full of water. I have stuffed spare sponge into my Betta tank for when I need to seed the new filter. Can someone give me a run through with how to do this? Would I fill the tank leave it a day then add sponge and wait how long? Do I need to add ammonia source still? Can I use fish food or collect Betta poop lol? And how often does this need to be added? Also from the below list what fish would be best to add first?

1 bristlenose pleco
10 corydoras
10 neon tetras
3 Male guppies
1 nerite snail

And finally plants, i really don’t know anything....I am familiar with Anubias nana, java fern, frogbit and moss balls all of which I will put in the tank, can I have some more easy to grow plant suggestions? I would like a few red/purple ones in there too.
Sorry lots of questions.

 

[AilyNC]

I really like Alternanthera Reineckii Red/Scarlet. It melted the first time I put it in. But I'm trying again now that I'm using Seachem Flourish Comp & Root Tabs. I've also cut the shoots to make sure they're well below the water surface. It gives a lovely shimmering red/pink shade & is wispy & flows nicely. Really nice contrast to the green. I also like the lighter shade Green of my Water Wisteria & that's growing very well. And some floating plants to create some shade.

I'll leave the fish & cycle advice to the pros

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

I'm not a cycling pro, so going to tag @Ch4rlie in on this since he knows how to cycle from scratch well

From what I understand though, you'd still cycle as if you were starting from nothing, and using ammonia is the best way to do it so that you can fully stock your tank once the cycle is ready, as in here - https://www.fishforums.net/threads/cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first.421488/

But that it will go a lot faster, since you've seeded the tank with the sponges from your established tank.

 

[mbsqw1d]

So I am now also wondering the best way to cycle 200L tank. As stated in my first post I want to use sand rocks and lots of plants, I was hoping to plant everything up as tank was being set up before it’s full of water. I have stuffed spare sponge into my Betta tank for when I need to seed the new filter. Can someone give me a run through with how to do this? Would I fill the tank leave it a day then add sponge and wait how long? Do I need to add ammonia source still? Can I use fish food or collect Betta poop lol? And how often does this need to be added? Also from the below list what fish would be best to add first?

1 bristlenose pleco
10 corydoras
10 neon tetras
3 Male guppies
1 nerite snail

And finally plants, i really don’t know anything....I am familiar with Anubias nana, java fern, frogbit and moss balls all of which I will put in the tank, can I have some more easy to grow plant suggestions? I would like a few red/purple ones in there too.
Sorry lots of questions.

Easy plants as in dont require 'high tech' setup (co2 injection, ei ferts, expensive lighting) are to name but a few:
Amazon swords - root feeder. Take a month or two to become established, original leaves may die back.
Vallisneria - good background plant, again, will establish a hefty root system

Many stem plants, bacopa, cabomba, hygrophila, limnophila.. and you can get the reds/purples from ludwigia: palustris, repens..
Theres also plenty of types of crypts and buce plants for mid/front that dont require much light.