Suggestions For Stocking A 44 Us Gallon Tall Tank

[jonchall]

Well, after being out of the hobby (hobby? hah! more of a lifestyle isn't it?) for over 15 years, I have fallen victim yet again to the dreaded disease known as MTS, only this time I'm dragging my wife down with me too! After "running to the store real quick" to pick up some fish food Friday, we now have an additional 44 gallon tank undergoing a fishless cycle. It's a sickness, I know--I'll (well, I should now say "we'll") get it under control after we get that 600 gallon and just a few more in the 250 gallon range. No really, I swear!

Anyway, on to the topic. The tank is about 44 US gallons (about 167 litres) with the following dimensions: 20" wide X 18" deep X 28" tall. We have loaded it (so far) with about 2.5" of small, very smooth (almost polished looking) gravel substrate. For filtration, we have an Aquaclear 70 HoB (300 GPH) which came with a sponge, a carbon pack, and a mesh bag of BioMax ceramic pieces--I set the carbon pack aside and purchased an extra sponge for plenty of bacterial space (so 2 sponges and one bag of BioMax). We also have a 200w Stealth heater and a bubble wall/curtain against one of the walls for additional aeration and aesthetics. Our pH (from tap and in both of the other tanks) is a steady 6.8. I'm not sure about the GH and KH--I'm still trying to find a test kit for these locally, but I may have to order one.

My wife would like to have live plants in this tank, but with a single 15w T8 for lighting coupled with the height of the tank, I fear our options are severely limited in that respect. I am going to post in the "Plants and Planted Tanks" forum for some more insight on this, but any suggestions here are very welcome too. I would prefer not to have to add CO2 or upgrade the lighting as we've already spent a small fortune in the past month and a half on 3 tanks.

We would like this to be a peaceful community tank with 1 larger (within tank dimensions, of course) centerpiece fish and quite a few smaller fish to inhabit each level of the tank. My wife is all about colorful fish, so any suggestions along those lines would be great. I have considered a shoal of some type of Corydoras along with a BN Plec (of something similar) for the bottom level, but other suggestions would be great as well. I think my wife is pretty set on having a single centerpiece instead of a pair or small group. I have kept a pair of angelfish years ago, but I do not know if they do well by themselves--I have read that a tall tank is a good environment for them. I know the angelfish are not particularly full of color (at least by my wife's standards), but we saw several beautiful veil tails the other day that she seemed like quite a bit.

Really though, we are open to any good suggestions for stocking any level of the tank. I would like to be able to go with my wife to several local fish shops (we have quite a few around here) and let her take a look at her choices in person--it seems she takes a liking to many fish she sees live that she didn't much care for after seeing a picture online. Maybe we can get out of the store without buying another tank???

Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions, and if you need any more info, please do not hesitate to ask!

Jon

 

[Curiosity101]

Welcome to TFF and welcome back to fish keeping.

You're right that your lighting is very poor. I really would consider an upgrade. But posting in the planted section is your best bet for proper advice.

As for stocking...how adventurous are you feeling? As you're 'technically' not a complete beginner you 'could' attempt to keep discus?
I was thinking...
A planted tank with, 1-2 Discus, A Pair of German Blue Rams (or gold rams), 6-8 Sterbai Cory and some sort of shoal of something.
With the above stocking you would need a tank temp of around 29C
And I'm not 100% on the number of discus you can keep in 44US Gal, you might only be ok with 1.
Also it would depend on your water quality, I know discus require impeccable water (as do GBRs) So nitrates of 20ppm are the very max the tank should get to imbetween water changes.

If you didn't want to take that risk as you're only just returning to the hobby then an alternative idea...
1 x Angel (or a breeding pair) or 2 x Keyhole Cichlids (although these aren't colourful they have 'personalities')
10 x Shoal of something (sticking to bigger bodied tetra if you want tetra as fish like neons will be eaten by angels)
8 x Corys
1 x BN

 

[jonchall]

Thanks Curiosity101, it's good to be back into fishkeeping--I had forgotten how fun and rewarding it is.

I love Discus, but I'm not feeling quite "that" adventerous as of yet

Right now, we have two cichlids with very unique personalities--a Blood Parrot (my wife's baby girl) and a Green Terror (my boy). They each have distinct personalities towards each of us.

I think, for the new tank, my wife wants something kind of active, but peaceful. As I said before, I'm not too familiar with how Angels do on their own. Would a single Angel be happy by his or herself (as in the only Angel in the tank)? I'm not stuck on having an Angel, it's just a nice possibility (to me at least).

 

[Curiosity101]

Hmm well off the top of my head here are some 'centerpiece' ideas...

Pearl Gourami - I would keep it alone, but a pair should be ok
Opaline Gourami - I would keep it alone, but a pair should be ok
Angel - Absolutely fine kept alone, and you wouldn't have enough room for a non breeding pair anyways.
Keyhole - Keep as a m/f pair if possible, they will be fine alone but are obviously more interesting when interacting with eachother.
Paradise Fish - Keep as a m/f pair I think (to see the best out of them). But if kept alone they should be absolutely fine too. Just be aware with long flowing fins you've got to be careful of any fin nippers in the tank.

 

[Bebobb]

Welcome back to this lifestyle, as you like to call it. There are many stocking idead to be considered. I have a few that you might like to review. I will to try to keep in mind colorful fish.

Centerpiece- I would say some type of gourami. Such as opaline or pearl. If you don't want a pair, then you choices are limited here. An angel fish would be fine kep by its self, I would not add a pair of them. Apistogramma are another choice to look into. They are usually kept in a pair, but a single male would be fine in that size tank, but I would rather have a pair of them. Also bolivian rams! They are not as touchy as german rams, and don't need such of a high tempature as they do. They are best kept as a pair also, but I would say that a loner would be fine by them selves. Now on to the stocking

1 pair of Bolivian Rams
1 Bristlenost pleco
6 Corries
15 Neon tetras
3 female bettas
10 Harelquins.

 

[meguro]

For a single centre piece fish for that size tank that's both colourful and active, I'd suggest a blue acara. You can even keep angelfish with them if you still want one.

main suggestion
6 corydoras (maybe switch to yoyo loaches)
1 bristlenose
1 blue acara
3-8 rainbowfish (boeseman, praecox, lacustris, trifasciatus)

possible additions (not all of them though)
1-2 angelfish
1-2 keyhole cichlids
another shoaling fish (tetras, barbs etc.)

Low light plants are things like anubias, java fern, amazon sword, crypts and hygophila. I'd personally go for the first three over some of the hygros.

 

[Faythee]

I have a fairly tall tank and attempted live plants and it was a nightmare. The only plant that seemed to do okay was the Swords. I have 2 lights on the tank.

When maintaining the tank, it is more difficult when tall as it is not as easy to reach the substrate with your hand. I bought one of those long poles with the interchangeable heads to trim or move plants, etc. STILL is a real pain. After done.....stand back and look and it's not where you wanted it...LOL

I really like the looks of the tall tank compared to the standard, but it is not as easy to maintain. Then trying to net a fish or scrape algae in the lower region of the tank is also a pain.

A single Angel is fine. Wish ya lived near me because I have a mean one that is gorgeous, but she can't be kept with other Angels.

 

[jonchall]

Hmm well off the top of my head here are some 'centerpiece' ideas...

Pearl Gourami - I would keep it alone, but a pair should be ok
Opaline Gourami - I would keep it alone, but a pair should be ok
Angel - Absolutely fine kept alone, and you wouldn't have enough room for a non breeding pair anyways.
Keyhole - Keep as a m/f pair if possible, they will be fine alone but are obviously more interesting when interacting with eachother.
Paradise Fish - Keep as a m/f pair I think (to see the best out of them). But if kept alone they should be absolutely fine too. Just be aware with long flowing fins you've got to be careful of any fin nippers in the tank.

Thanks for the great ideas Curiosity101. I like the Paradise Gourami--in fact, we were looking at putting one in another tank. The Angel is still a good possibility as well!

Welcome back to this lifestyle, as you like to call it. There are many stocking idead to be considered. I have a few that you might like to review. I will to try to keep in mind colorful fish.

Centerpiece- I would say some type of gourami. Such as opaline or pearl. If you don't want a pair, then you choices are limited here. An angel fish would be fine kep by its self, I would not add a pair of them. Apistogramma are another choice to look into. They are usually kept in a pair, but a single male would be fine in that size tank, but I would rather have a pair of them. Also bolivian rams! They are not as touchy as german rams, and don't need such of a high tempature as they do. They are best kept as a pair also, but I would say that a loner would be fine by them selves. Now on to the stocking

1 pair of Bolivian Rams
1 Bristlenost pleco
6 Corries
15 Neon tetras
3 female bettas
10 Harelquins.

We are looking into the Bolivian Rams for another tank as well. One thing that caught my eye in your reply was the female Bettas. I think I will post in the Betta forum as well to get some ideas about a sorority tank--I think a good 15 or so females along with possibly some Corys would make a very vibrant and active community tank if my set-up will allow it. Thanks for the reply.

main suggestion
6 corydoras (maybe switch to yoyo loaches)
1 bristlenose
1 blue acara
3-8 rainbowfish (boeseman, praecox, lacustris, trifasciatus)

possible additions (not all of them though)
1-2 angelfish
1-2 keyhole cichlids
another shoaling fish (tetras, barbs etc.)

Low light plants are things like anubias, java fern, amazon sword, crypts and hygophila. I'd personally go for the first three over some of the hygros.

More great suggestions--thanks meguro! Also, I've been told in the Plants and Planted Tanks forum that I basically have enough light to grow absolutely squat! I may look into alternative lighting if nobody else offers up any possibilities for plants with my low wattage. Or, I may just have to stick with plastics (or silks depending upon stocking). Thanks for the reply meguro.

I have a fairly tall tank and attempted live plants and it was a nightmare. The only plant that seemed to do okay was the Swords. I have 2 lights on the tank.

When maintaining the tank, it is more difficult when tall as it is not as easy to reach the substrate with your hand. I bought one of those long poles with the interchangeable heads to trim or move plants, etc. STILL is a real pain. After done.....stand back and look and it's not where you wanted it...LOL

I really like the looks of the tall tank compared to the standard, but it is not as easy to maintain. Then trying to net a fish or scrape algae in the lower region of the tank is also a pain.

A single Angel is fine. Wish ya lived near me because I have a mean one that is gorgeous, but she can't be kept with other Angels.

I'm already noticing how much more of a pain it is than a standard hieght tank, but like you, I do like the look of it. I am going to Home Depot to pick up a connector for the end of the hose on my plain gravel vac as the vac portion of my Python is so short (my other one is nearly twice as long). We may end up going with a single Angel, but we do have a bit of time to decide. I am kind of liking the femal Betta sorority idea. Thanks for the reply!

 

[Faythee]

[/quote]

I'm already noticing how much more of a pain it is than a standard hieght tank, but like you, I do like the look of it. I am going to Home Depot to pick up a connector for the end of the hose on my plain gravel vac as the vac portion of my Python is so short (my other one is nearly twice as long). We may end up going with a single Angel, but we do have a bit of time to decide. I am kind of liking the femal Betta sorority idea. Thanks for the reply!
[/quote]


Good idea ! I use the Python too. I will have to see what I can find to make mine longer.

The female Betta tanks are gorgeous. I tried it before and it didn't work, but I think I may of accidentally had a male or two in there. Also, add all the fish at once, otherwise when adding a new one there may be trouble. Have lots of hiding spaces. I may try it again now that I know a bit better

 

[meguro]

More great suggestions--thanks meguro! Also, I've been told in the Plants and Planted Tanks forum that I basically have enough light to grow absolutely squat! I may look into alternative lighting if nobody else offers up any possibilities for plants with my low wattage. Or, I may just have to stick with plastics (or silks depending upon stocking). Thanks for the reply meguro.

Yeah for low light plants like the ones suggested you'd be looking at needing somewhere in the range of 1.5-2 watts per us gallon. T5 lights are supposedly better than T8 (haven't used T5 myself) but since you have nowhere near 1.5 w/g it won't really matter if you have T8 or T5 anyway.

Definitely should look into getting some new lighting if you want to take the live plants route. Or perhaps try something slightly experimental and place the tank near a window (or somewhere else that gets sunlight, either direct or indirect (indirect is probably best though)) and give live plants a go with natural lighting to support them.

 

[shahrezsyed]

just buy a coralife plant gro 40 watt t8 and use it with your existing light that'll make it like 1.25 wpg!!!in like 17 dollars
and then you can grow java moss,anubias nana,java fern,amazon sword,vallisneria and many more that i dont remember in that light....though it will be slow growth still....better than nothing.
shahrez

 

[jonchall]

just buy a coralife plant gro 40 watt t8

That would be great, and I wish I could do it, but I've only got an 18" hood so I'm stuck with 15 watt max with a T8.

Definitely should look into getting some new lighting if you want to take the live plants route. Or perhaps try something slightly experimental and place the tank near a window (or somewhere else that gets sunlight, either direct or indirect (indirect is probably best though)) and give live plants a go with natural lighting to support them.

The tank is pretty much in the only spot we have room for, and it is nowhere near a natural source of light. I think I'm down to looking for a good deal on a lighting upgrade or just sticking with artificials for this tank.

 

[jonchall]

The female Betta tanks are gorgeous. I tried it before and it didn't work, but I think I may of accidentally had a male or two in there. Also, add all the fish at once, otherwise when adding a new one there may be trouble. Have lots of hiding spaces. I may try it again now that I know a bit better

Yes, they are! Even though they aren't as full finned as the males, I have still noticed many with very vibrant, gorgeous coloration. I've been spending quite a bit of time reading through the Betta forum for some ideas and proper care. Still undecided though

 

[ellena]

I think you'd probably be better to stick with fake plants. The reason they often don't look great is 'cos people don't use enough. They are expensive, but it's a one off cost. You could spend the same on live plants only to have them die on you. You'd need to make sure you got some good tall ones to avoid the top half of the tank looking bare, but, just think, with the smaller footprint, you won't need so many of them!
The female betta tank sounds a great idea, there are so many beautiful varieties out there