75 Gallon Community Advice

[iirz]

I have a 75G (assuming I did the math right) tank set up with a sump system that I got for free. I didn't just want to spend a lot of money on a grave, so I did some research (got addicted in the process >.>) did a fishless cycle, did some decorating with rocks and bogwood, put a few plants in there (I think there's 19 total now) and started adding fish. As of now there are 8 congo tetras, 7 corydoras sterbai, and 6 cherry barbs in there (didn't add all of them at once lol). I was planning on adding a school of 15 black neons, 8 head and tail lights, 10 glowlights and either a BN plec or two or a group of cherry shrimp. This seemed fine and dandy at first but looking back on it I feel like I'm going to be overstocking by a lot if I follow through. Any advice would be dandy.

[MissMTS]

Welcome to Fishlore!!!

Congrats on the new tank That is really cool that you got it for free. Most of us would kill for a deal like that, lol I am so glad that you did a fishless cycle. That is definelty the most humane way to cycle a tank.

Here is what you are currently looking at stocking-wise:
8 Congo Tetras: 24 inches
7 Sterbai Cories: 21 inches
6 Cherry Barbs: 12 inches
Total: 57 inches

This leaves you with 18 inches to play with

The cherry shrimp won't add much to the bio-load, so you could go ahead and add those. Personally, I think that 9 cardinal tetras would be a great finishing touch of color. I have 14 black neons in my discus tank, and even though they are pretty fish, they don't stand out much. I plan on replacing them with cardinals in the future.

[Blub]

I'd fill it up with lots of schooling fish, and a Clown/BN pleco.

[sirdarksol]

To answer the question you asked, no, the setup you described shouldn't be overstocking (at least, not enough to matter) all of the fish you mentioned are really small, I think. I added up 33 fish that average under 2" apiece, and then one that we'll count for 10" (though it likely never will get that big). That's 76" of fish, and the red cherries don't count for anything, as they help keep the tank clean.

[MissMTS]

I read something last night that made the inch per gallon stocking rule make a little more sense. I don't remember what site I saw it on, but they said inches per gallon should refer to cubic inches per gallon. This would definetly explain why a 12 inch oscar needs a 55 gallon tank or bigger. So yeah, you should be fine with the plan that you have. It sounds like it is going to be a beautiful tank. Good luck

[iirz]

Thanks for all the replies guys, I think my plans for stocking this tank are on hold for awhile. Came home from a long weekend to find only 3 cherry barbs (I assume the group was doing well, they were breeding when I left) and a cory dead. Gonna do a big water change tomorrow and run all the tests I have