My own majestic project for a planted tank

I know this might seem odd or boring to read, THOUGH I wanted to share this with you, maybe just to hear your thoughts on this !
Without further ado, let's begin.
I wish in a near future to have the space and money to make a new fresh tank, where to create a unique ecosystem. I called this project "Eden" even though I'm not christian, because let's be real, we all play God when we settle a fresh new aquarium, and so do I. The backloth would be made up of different layers: rocks, complete substrate, active substrate, gravel and sand. I imagine in making a pretty good planted tank (using Glossostigma, Eleocharis parvula and Lilaeopsis brasiliensis as carpet plants) planting lots of plants that don't require substrate and some not to create a some sort of underwater rainforest, in which shrimps and other smaller fish can seek shelter. Though, this would not cover the entire backdrop of the tank: I was thinking in leaving empty spaces here 'n there and a big one in the middle awarded with drift wood, rocks, braches, to house those species that prefer a less planted tank (Like Corydoras). At the very corners the backloth arises in sort of making hills or even mountains, in which I'll insert cave systems, and the biggest of them all would even have a emerged part (maybe to house the Geosesarma crab). Do you have any more ideas or advises? If you're more interested I can list the fish and inv. species I've chosen
If you read till the end, thank you!

 

That sounds interesting. What size of tank are you thinking about?

 

That sounds interesting. What size of tank are you thinking about?

I think 500 liter or more, what do you suggest?

 

Interesting, we made a large planted tank last year. Well started in 2020 actually, it took a while. I documented the progress here The beginnings of a new tank... | Freshwater Aquarium Builds Forum | 480968, it has been going very well. It measures 160 x 60 x 60 cm, in case this helps to give you any ideas. Here is the tank now:

 

Interesting, we made a large planted tank last year. Well started in 2020 actually, it took a while. I documented the progress here The beginnings of a new tank... | Freshwater Aquarium Builds Forum | 480968, it has been going very well. It measures 160 x 60 x 60 cm, in case this helps to give you any ideas. Here is the tank now:

View attachment 831153

This looks great! Congrats! My only fear is that I've chosen so many species and I want to make them as comfortable as possible since they are schooling fish/inv. Might you advise me the size if I list the species?

 

500ltr or approximately 125gl is a wonderful size.
If it is big enough for your dreams?
I take the case you have specific fish in mind? Let's hear and most likely you will get a lot of input regarding compatibility.

 

Yes, please let us know the fish you have in mind.

 

500ltr or approximately 125gl is a wonderful size.
If it is big enough for your dreams?
I take the case you have specific fish in mind? Let's hear and most likely you will get a lot of input regarding compatibility.

Ok so, the species I've chosen are, I think, compatible with eachother:
Danio margaritatus
Danio tiniwini
Danio rerio (zebra)

Corydoras sterbai
Corydoras trilineatus
Corydoras panda

Harlequin rasbora
Blackline rasbora

Cherry barb
Fiveband barb (desmopuntius pentazona)

Swordtail
Platy

Neon tetra
Rummy nose tetra
Penguin tetra

Panda garra (Garra flavatra)

Oto (Otocinclus vittatus)

And for the invertebrates:

Neocaridina (not a specific color)

Nerite snails

Melanoides tubercolata

And I was thinking in adding the Geosesama crab but it's way way far in my thoughts

 

Interesting, that is a lot of different shoaling species! They may be compatible (would have to read up about the danios) but I think it would be a lot better to have fewer species and more of each. Personally I like to keep fish together from the same continent, so from your list I would choose the tetras, otos and Corydoras! Or go Asian with the barbs and rasboras. But of course there are no rules about this. Also I would not include the platies and swordtails, they do best in different water conditions and will breed quickly and start to overpopulate the tank, in a large densely planted tank it will be difficult to catch them! I have no experience with those invertebrates so will wait to see what others say. What are your water parameters but the way, pH and hardness?

 

Interesting, that is a lot of different shoaling species! They may be compatible (would have to read up about the danios) but I think it would be a lot better to have fewer species and more of each. Personally I like to keep fish together from the same continent, so from your list I would choose the tetras, otos and Corydoras! Or go Asian with the barbs and rasboras. But of course there are no rules about this. Also I would not include the platies and swordtails, they do best in different water conditions and will breed quickly and start to overpopulate the tank, in a large densely planted tank it will be difficult to catch them! I have no experience with those invertebrates so will wait to see what others say. What are your water parameters but the way, pH and hardness?

The Ph range may be around 7-7.2 and hardness 10-13
That's why I would like an advise for the size of the tank, since I don't wanna add more of one and to rule out others, cause I like them all and I wanna make them live good 'till they die. Regarding Swordtails and Platies, I have them in my current 125 liter tank thhe Ph is 7 and they're thriving and reproducing very good. I know it might seem cruel, but even if they reproduce I would make nature take it's course, if the fish die I buy new ones in case, the ones who survive I'd sell them. Sorry if it might seem cruel ;(

 

The Ph range may be around 7-7.2 and hardness 10-13

That's why I would like an advise for the size of the tank, since I don't wanna add more of one and to rule out others, cause I like them all and I wanna make them live good 'till they die. Regarding Swordtails and Platies, I have them in my current 125 liter tank thhe Ph is 7 and they're thriving and reproducing very good. I know it might seem cruel, but even if they reproduce I would make nature take it's course, if the fish die I buy new ones in case, the ones who survive I'd sell them. Sorry if it might seem cruel ;(

No, it doesn't sound cruel, if there are fish that will eat the fry that is fine. The neutral pH should be OK for all, but honestly I have zero experience in keeping all those fish together. The size of the tank will also depend on how many of each you intend to keep, as well as practical considerations such as space available, heating and filtration systems. Are you thinking of building the tank yourself or buying it?

 

No, it doesn't sound cruel, if there are fish that will eat the fry that is fine. The neutral pH should be OK for all, but honestly I have zero experience in keeping all those fish together. The size of the tank will also depend on how many of each you intend to keep, as well as practical considerations such as space available, heating and filtration systems. Are you thinking of building the tank yourself or buying it?

I was planning in making it by myself. I thought it'd be good to have the following number of fish for the species I've chosen:

40 Danio margaritatus
40 Danio tinwini
30 Danio rerio (zebra)
16 Corydoras sterbai
15 Corydoras trilineatus
14 Corydoras panda
30 Harlequin rasbora
20 Blackline rasbora
30 Cherry barbs
20 Fiveband barb
10 Swordtails
24 Platies
30 Neon tetra
30 Rummynose tetra
20 Penguin tetra
10 Panda garra
10 Otos

And regarding the inv. i don't have a specific number, especially the shrimps will reproduce in no time and their population will grow fast.

Since I want to add all these fish, I'm asking how big should I make the tank

 

I hope someone else can advise on this, that seems like a huge number of fish even for a 500l tank. To give you an idea my tank is about 576l (less if you take into account substrate, rocks and wood). I have 6 large angelfish, two pairs of Laetacara, the rest are small fish - 10 emperor tetras, 10 neon tetras, 12 Hyphessobrycon similar to red phantom tetras, 10 pencilfish, 4 otos, and a L129 pleco that I never see. I would not like to add any more fish.

 

I hope someone else can advise on this, that seems like a huge number of fish even for a 500l tank. To give you an idea my tank is about 576l (less if you take into account substrate, rocks and wood). I have 6 large angelfish, two pairs of Laetacara, the rest are small fish - 10 emperor tetras, 10 neon tetras, 12 Hyphessobrycon similar to red phantom tetras, 10 pencilfish, 4 otos, and a L129 pleco that I never see. I would not like to add any more fish.

Oh, so I'm guessing you're saying that this is not a completely good idea regarding the stock ^^"

 

Ok so, the species I've chosen are, I think, compatible with eachother:
Danio margaritatus
Danio tiniwini
Danio rerio (zebra)

Corydoras sterbai
Corydoras trilineatus
Corydoras panda

Harlequin rasbora
Blackline rasbora

Cherry barb
Fiveband barb (desmopuntius pentazona)

Swordtail
Platy

Neon tetra
Rummy nose tetra
Penguin tetra

Panda garra (Garra flavatra)

Oto (Otocinclus vittatus)

And for the invertebrates:

Neocaridina (not a specific color)

Nerite snails

Melanoides tubercolata

And I was thinking in adding the Geosesama crab but it's way way far in my thoughts

I am very biased, but if you choose to do a longer tank, I would densely plant it and add a giant single school of rummynose tetra (75-100 maybe). It would look so cool, but I wouldn't do the plan you stated earlier, it was something like 200 fish (I did the math (365+inverts). I would choose like 4 of those fish you listed. If you wanted to do all of those fish, that would have to be a big tank. 1000, 2000 liters maybe. And if you want to have a colony of neos, it would have to be even larger and be densely planted to provide cover from the more aggressive. Choose like 3 or 4 species and you'll be golden

 

I am very biased, but if you choose to do a longer tank, I would densely plant it and add a giant single school of rummynose tetra (75-100 maybe). It would look so cool, but I wouldn't do the plan you stated earlier, it was something like 200 fish (I did the math (365+inverts). I would choose like 4 of those fish you listed. If you wanted to do all of those fish, that would have to be a big tank. 1000, 2000 liters maybe. And if you want to have a colony of neos, it would have to be even larger and be densely planted to provide cover from the more aggressive. Choose like 3 or 4 species and you'll be golden

In fact I've made some research and done some calculations and the size of the tank is 240x180x70 and the volume is 2462 liters or 650 gallons. So yeah, I think I'll manage in keeping them all. The tank is already planned to be heavenly planted, to house the species that require shelter

 

In fact I've made some research and done some calculations and the size of the tank is 240x180x70 and the volume is 2462 liters or 650 gallons. So yeah, I think I'll manage in keeping them all. The tank is already planned to be heavenly planted, to house the species that require shelter

Oh wow. In a densely planted tank that is 2500 liters, you could definitely do it, but cherry shrimp probably would become food in that tank

 

Interesting, we made a large planted tank last year. Well started in 2020 actually, it took a while. I documented the progress here The beginnings of a new tank... | Freshwater Aquarium Builds Forum | 480968, it has been going very well. It measures 160 x 60 x 60 cm, in case this helps to give you any ideas. Here is the tank now:

View attachment 831153

That. Tank. Is. GORGEOUS!

 

Oh wow. In a densely planted tank that is 2500 liters, you could definitely do it, but cherry shrimp probably would become food in that tank

Ik, but this is nature. If they grow in numbers it doesn't matter, same for the snails (surtout the Melanoides). But thanks! Finally someone that appreciates my project and makes me feel capable in doin it

 

In that size of tank a lot will be possible! You were talking about 500l before...

 

In that size of tank a lot will be possible! You were talking about 500l before...

Yeah I know , it's because I didn't done any new calculations before and now everything's clear

 

Oh wow. In a densely planted tank that is 2500 liters, you could definitely do it, but cherry shrimp probably would become food in that tank

In your opinion, can I also add the Denison Barb? Or they will eat the smaller species (like Danio margaritatus and tinwini)?

 

I was planning in making it by myself. I thought it'd be good to have the following number of fish for the species I've chosen:

40 Danio margaritatus
40 Danio tinwini
30 Danio rerio (zebra)
16 Corydoras sterbai
15 Corydoras trilineatus
14 Corydoras panda
30 Harlequin rasbora
20 Blackline rasbora
30 Cherry barbs
20 Fiveband barb
10 Swordtails
24 Platies
30 Neon tetra
30 Rummynose tetra
20 Penguin tetra
10 Panda garra
10 Otos

And regarding the inv. i don't have a specific number, especially the shrimps will reproduce in no time and their population will grow fast.

Since I want to add all these fish, I'm asking how big should I make the tank

You cannot create a closed tank that suits so many different species from all sorts of (sub)tropical bodies of water. It will turn your "Eden" project into "Dystopia".

If you are new to the hobby or have the best years of your life still ahead of you, than I have some understanding of your intentions.

If you're an experienced hobbyist who has been walking around for a few decades on this planet, then I am once again confirmed in my believe that democracy is not the answer.

 

You cannot create a closed tank that suits so many different species from all sorts of (sub)tropical bodies of water. It will turn your "Eden" project into "Dystopia".

If you are new to the hobby or have the best years of your life still ahead of you, than I have some understanding of your intentions.

If you're an experienced hobbyist who has been walking around for a few decades on this planet, then I am once again confirmed in my believe that democracy is not the answer.

Opinions

You cannot create a closed tank that suits so many different species from all sorts of (sub)tropical bodies of water. It will turn your "Eden" project into "Dystopia".

If you are new to the hobby or have the best years of your life still ahead of you, than I have some understanding of your intentions.

If you're an experienced hobbyist who has been walking around for a few decades on this planet, then I am once again confirmed in my believe that democracy is not the answer.

It's just that I saw lots of people doing something like mine, and the fish thrive so yeah. I'll prove you wrong one day (of course I'm saying this with respect)

Opinions

It's just that I saw lots of people doing something like mine, and the fish thrive so yeah. I'll prove you wrong one day (of course I'm saying this with respect)

Try searching on Instagram @keyrose_kei9 and then tell me what do you think about it