Ph 8.2 - 135 gallon, what to stock?

You don't need a powerhead, but you can have one if you want one. I don't use them, but if you want one you can have one.

Fully stocked by May 5th? Are you doing a fish-in cycle or a fishless cycle?

Java moss vs. Christmas moss is a personal preference. Christmas moss would do better with higher light, and Java moss will grow with almost any light.



Ask as many questions as you want!

They are actually kinda different. EB acaras are smaller and usually more peaceful than blue acaras.



Might be worth considering using one filter, and just going with something like an FX5 or FX6.



There are lots of pretty cichlids!

Can you remind me of your planned stocking now?

I changed the date to May 18th because of the broken filter situation, and I'm using already cycled media. I got the tank from my friend, and he's had the tank up and running for almost 2 years. And just for good measure I threw in some bio-balls from my other tank. I think I'll go with Christmas moss because the tank will have pretty good lighting. Marineland strip lights is what I'm getting. I like the look of blue acara rather than the EBA but Temperament matters a lot in this tank. The stocking is going to be 5 Angelfish, 1 Eba or Ba, 1 Opaline gourami, 1 Clown pleco, 1 Threadfin acara, or some other cichlid, 10 SterbaI cories, and 15 Congo tetras.

 

Remind me, do you have anything in the tank now? Or are you adding ammonia? Because running the tank empty with the seeded media, without adding an ammonia source, will kill your bacteria.

I'd still plan on stocking slowly - you want to make sure the bacteria can catch up with the bioload.

Marineland strip lights usually aren't very good for plants. The LED ones? We can help you find better, cheaper lighting if you're interested.

I wouldn't add in another cichlid species, I think you're pretty full already. As adults, they'll fill the tank.

 

Remind me, do you have anything in the tank now? Or are you adding ammonia? Because running the tank empty with the seeded media, without adding an ammonia source, will kill your bacteria.

I'd still plan on stocking slowly - you want to make sure the bacteria can catch up with the bioload.

Marineland strip lights usually aren't very good for plants. The LED ones? We can help you find better, cheaper lighting if you're interested.

I wouldn't add in another cichlid species, I think you're pretty full already. As adults, they'll fill the tank.

I have 4 Angelfish and a clown pleco in the tank right now. And I will buy and add the fish 1 by 1 until I get the full stocking. It's either going to be the Marineland or Floramax, which now that I think about it the Floramax bulbs are exactly what I want lol. Wait, so would the 5 Angelfish, 1 Eba or ba, 1 Opaline gourami, 1 clown pleco, 1 Threadfin, 10 Sterbais, and 15 congo tetras work? Or are you saying drop one of the cichlids. The Threadfin was going to be a severum but then I changed it because I didn't want a fish that would eat all my plants.

 

There are still better lighting options, if you're interested.

I would add the centerpiece fish with 1-2 a week, waiting at least a week between additions, with longer if the tank goes through a minI cycle. Add the big cichlids last. Schooling fish can be adding in half or full schools (keep a close eye on water parameters and be prepared to do water changes if the tank goes through a minI cycle).

You said you wanted to another cichlid in addition to those, and I was saying I wouldn't add another.

 

There are still better lighting options, if you're interested.

I would add the centerpiece fish with 1-2 a week, waiting at least a week between additions, with longer if the tank goes through a minI cycle. Add the big cichlids last. Schooling fish can be adding in half or full schools (keep a close eye on water parameters and be prepared to do water changes if the tank goes through a minI cycle).

You said you wanted to another cichlid in addition to those, and I was saying I wouldn't add another.

Oh sorry, I probably worded it wrong. I just wanted to change the cichlid (severum) for the Threadfin. And what are some of the other lighting options?

 

Remind me what kind of plants you want?

 

Remind me what kind of plants you want?

Jungle val, Christmas moss, Aponogeton, Red flame swords, micro swords, hornwort, anacharis, water lettuce, duckweed, java ferns, anubias, and maybe some amazon swords.

So... What would be a good light?

 

I was getting to a reply, no need to post twice. I get busy and leave some threads where I owe more thoughtful replies for later, when I have more time to address them.

What's your budget? That'll influence your option. Cheap options would be work light fixtures with plant-friendly bulbs in them (can go low or medium light with these, customizable because you can choose the bulb). More expensive but nicer options would be something like two Finnex or Fluval fixtures.

 

I was getting to a reply, no need to post twice. I get busy and leave some threads where I owe more thoughtful replies for later, when I have more time to address them.

What's your budget? That'll influence your option. Cheap options would be work light fixtures with plant-friendly bulbs in them (can go low or medium light with these, customizable because you can choose the bulb). More expensive but nicer options would be something like two Finnex or Fluval fixtures.

I can afford a couple Fluval Aquasky LEDs but I'm going to wait until I have everything else to start getting lights.

 

I haven't heard many great things about the Aquasky for plants. If you want aquarium-made lights, I'd go with Finnex or with the Fluval 2.0 or 3.0.

 

I haven't heard many great things about the Aquasky for plants. If you want aquarium-made lights, I'd go with Finnex or with the Fluval 2.0 or 3.0.

I have the budget to get 2 Finnex planted+ 24/7 36 inch. Would those work? Oh, and I had my friend come over and take a look at my API filter. It wasn't busted, just needed really bad re-sealing. He re-sealed it for me, so now I'm waiting for tomorrow morning to see if it's leaking still.

 

I might personally go with the Planted Plus (not 24/7) or the Ray 2. Your tank is tall and wide, and the 24/7 might not be enough light for long enough (since it's not at full power the whole time it's on).

 

I might personally go with the Planted Plus (not 24/7) or the Ray 2. Your tank is tall and wide, and the 24/7 might not be enough light for long enough (since it's not at full power the whole time it's on).

I like the 24/7 though because it's remote controlled and all. But if the normal planted plus would be better I'll get those. And I like the sun rise, sun set, thunderstorm stuff too. I think I'm gonna go with the 24/7 just to have the experience lol

 

It just may not provide enough lighting for some of your more demanding plants, given the tall, wide tank and the lower lighting for most of the time.

 

It just may not provide enough lighting for some of your more demanding plants, given the tall, wide tank and the lower lighting for most of the time.

Which ones are the demanding ones?

 

Christmas moss, Aponogeton, red flame swords, and micro swords might not do well in very low light.

 

Christmas moss, Aponogeton, red flame swords, and micro swords might not do well in very low light.

But with this light I can turn off 24/7 mode and just do high lighting if need to. And it also allows me to save my favorite light settings. I can mix white light with red and blue light to get the perfect mix for the plants.

 

Yes, you can turn it off the 24/7 setting and run it at full strength, but then what's the point of getting it with the 24/7 setting then? And the Planted Plus is great for growing plants, with the right combo of red and white lights. Cheaper, too. Just talking this through with you.

 

Yes, you can turn it off the 24/7 setting and run it at full strength, but then what's the point of getting it with the 24/7 setting then? And the Planted Plus is great for growing plants, with the right combo of red and white lights. Cheaper, too. Just talking this through with you.

That’s what I was saying, if the 24/7 doesn’t work for them I can put it to full light. And the ones I was looking at on amazon the 24/7 was cheaper. I'm sorry if I'm stubborn but I really want to try this light.

 

Oh, you must be looking at the old 24/7s. I thought you were looking at the new customizable ones.

I believe the Planted Plus has a higher PAR rating than the 24/7 (even when it's on full strength), as well as more LEDs [(132) 7000k + (72) 660nm RED + (12) Blue Moonlights for the Planted Plus vs (72) 7000k + (36) RGB for the 24/7]. Supposedly, the red in the Planted Plus is better for plants than red in the 24/7 too (660 nm vs 630 nm).

If you're going to use the daylight cycle settings, get the 24/7s. If you're not going to use it, then I'd get the Planted Plus for the above reasons. Purely a personaly choice, but I have the Planted Pluses and love them.

 

Would 5 Angelfish, 5 Red hump geophagus, 10 Congo tetras, 10 SterbaI cories, 1 Electric blue acara, and 1 Threadfin acara work for my tank? I've changed the stocking up quite a bit.

Or could I change the Congo tetras to Praecox rainbowfish?

I've read that Praecox need really high flow in the tank though?

 

No, they should be fine without high water flow.

 

No, they should be fine without high water flow.

Ok, so that works out nicely, but will everything else work as well. I know to watch for aggression with all the cichlids I have, the only aggression I've seen with the fish I have already, which is 2 Angelfish, 5 Red hump geos, and the EBA, is the EBA flaring at the male geo

And one more really quick question, I do a 40-50% water change every week, is that too much? I was just watching some videos and they all said just a 10-20% every week..

 

You don't have to do 40-50%, no. 20% is good.

 

You don't have to do 40-50%, no. 20% is good.

Ok, I'll lower that down a bunch lol.

Real quick, what's the scientific name for an Electric blue acara? I know normal blue acara is Aequidens Pulcher, but I don't know if the EBA has a different name?

 

No, it doesn't. It's not technically it's own species. It's just a color variant.
Also, Aequidens pulcher is incorrect, it was moved to the genus Andinoacara.

 

You don't have to do 40-50%, no. 20% is good.

It really depends on the tank, such as nitrate levels and also the aquarists tastes... I personally do around 50-90% as I prefer having 'cleaner water' and a chance to really flush out waste and hormones and also replenish mineral content in the water for my fish and plants...

OP, if you prefer doing larger scale water changes or need to - like high nitrates - then it is certainly fine to do so...

 

Well, yeah, if you have high nitrates then you should. But if your level stays around 10-40 each week then you're fine doing 20%. Idk if you've been testing each time you do a WC.

 

Now I'm stuck again.. I kind of don't want a threadfin acara anymore. What moderately big fish could I fit into my tank? The stocking again is 5 Angelfish, 5 Red hump geophagus, 10 Praecox rainbowfish, 10 sterbaI cories, 1 Electric blue acara, and some cool/beautiful medium-large fish.

Oooooh what about a salvinI cichlid?

Or a rainbow cichlid? Nevermind these stay relatively small. Maybe a chocolate cichlid?

I want a cichlid that gets between 8-10 inches, is generally peaceful but can stick up for itself, and it's colorful. Is there any that match that description?

Here are some that I have interest in. SalvinI cichlid (might be to aggressive), Chocolate cichlid, Pantano cichlid, Uaru possibly?, a red shoulder severum, Rainbow cichlid (kind of want something a bit bigger), Firemouth cichlid, a Festivum possibly?, a couple keyhole cichlids?, 3-4 Apistogramma Borellii, Baenschi, Honglsoi, or Erythrura, Turquoise cichlid (Astatheros robertsoni). I'm still searching but these are the ones I've found so far. Anders247 chromedome52 Katie13 aussieJJDude scarface I'm gonna tag y'all because I know you guys are good at stocking. Stocking tanks I mean.

Any insight??

 

Or could I just amp up the angelfish count? Like do 8 Angelfish, 5 Red hump geos, 1 EBA, 10 Praecox rainbows, and 10 sterbaI cories?

If I do the angelfish route I could buy some that I've had my eye on. They're on angelmania though. But, I have had a couple good experiences with them. Right now I have 2 Blue marble pearlscales in my 135. I only ordered one lol! But they both look perfect, and they've been growing like crazy. I bought them when they were a little smaller than dime size.

 

A firemouth, festivum, or convict would work.

 

A firemouth, festivum, or convict would work.

Oooh I really like firemouths and festivums. But if I did do the Angelfish route, could I do 7-8? And also would I be able to lower the temp of the tank down to 76? I was reading that red hump geos like 76 more than 80, and that might be why my male is beating up my female, because their breeding temp is 78-80. So he’s constantly trying to breed and she doesn’t have eggs.

 

76 would be fine, and yes if you did the Angelfish route you could do 7-8 imo.

Sorry for the late reply. Yes, that would work.

 

76 would be fine, and yes if you did the Angelfish route you could do 7-8 imo.

Wait would it be possible to move my kissing gourami into this tank? It's about 8 inches long at the moment. So the stocking would be the same but 4-5 angelfish and a kissing gourami. (4-5 Angelfish, 1 Kissing gourami, 10 Praecox rainbows, 10 SterbaI cories, 5 Red hump geos, 1 Electric blue acara).

Sorry for the late reply. Yes, that would work.

I moved my gourami into the tank for about 2 hours. It did not work. She chased everyone around and pinned my Electric blue acara in the corner and "kissed" him. So I said no, and moved her back into her old tank. And it just messed the peace I have in the tank up. I think I'm either going to go with a firemouth, or 4 more angels. Or some other kind of cichlid.

What about some kind of vieja cichlid? Like maybe a Melanura, or a breidohri? Or what about a paratheraps?

 

I'm pretty sure I'm gonna go the angelfish route. I mindlessly moved my two other angelfish into the tank, and before I realized what I was actually doing, they were in the tank. So I have 6 angelfish in the tank now.

Now I'm thinking something else lol. I'm so indecisive when it comes to stocking tanks. Now I am wondering could I do, 6-7 angelfish, 5 red hump geos, 10 praecox rainbowfish, 1 EBA, 10 Sterbais OR a bigger cichlid OR some kind of loach(es)?

 

Yikes, really? Mine never did that. Do you have it by itself right now?

I'm not sure how geos would be with cories....

 

Yikes, really? Mine never did that. Do you have it by itself right now?

No, it's in a tank with swordtails, neon tetras, skirt tetras, and bronze/albino cories. Idk why it decided it didn't like him so much. But do you think the above mentioned stocking would work? I'm highly doubting it will, but it's worth asking about it lol.

 

I'm not sure how geos would be with cories....

Idk how they would interact either. But do you think a stocking like that would work? If so I was thinking like a firemouth, or a couple weather loaches? *gasp* Or maybe a peacock eel? What do those eat? I know earthworms, but will they eat flakes and pellets? And where do you get aquarium safe earthworms?

 

The few times I fed fish worms, I just dug them up from the ground. I didn't know there was an unsafe earthworm lol. I wouldn't do weather loaches, as those prefer cooler temps than the other fish.
A firemouth would be fine.

 

The few times I fed fish worms, I just dug them up from the ground. I didn't know there was an unsafe earthworm lol. I wouldn't do weather loaches, as those prefer cooler temps than the other fish.
A firemouth would be fine.

Idk I've just read that the worms in bait shops are usually caught using bleach and water. What about the eel? I know they get pretty big lol.

I just set a test worm trap to see if I'll be able to catch the worms if I have to. All it is, is a piece of cardboard on top of some dirt that I soaked really thoroughly, and then I also soaked the cardboard, and stomped it down with my feet. I'm hoping by tomorrow I have some worms lol.