55 gallon stocking question..

[joshua969]

Hello everyone,

I’m in the midst of planning a low light low tech planted tank, and have some questions regarding stocking. Here’s the details of the tank itself: 55 gallon tank, No CO2, Emperor 400 filter, Soilmaster Select substrate with a dusting of peat underneath. I plan on going heavily planted with low light plants such as anubias, crypts, java fern, java moss, wisteria, water sprite, hornwort, etc.

Here’s my stocking plan:
5 – Khuli Loaches
7 – Gold Barbs
2 – Dwarf Cichlid’s (a pair of Bolivian Ram’s or Apisto’s)
7 – Leapord Danios
2 – SAE’s (I would try oto’s, but I’ve never had good luck with them)
5 –6 – Livebearers (guppies or swordtails)

So, how does this list look ? Overstocked ? Understocked ? Any compatability issues ? Any advice, help, or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks for all the help,
Josh

[Lupin]

Looks ok to me.

[AmoAquafish]

Looks good to me also. I've kept all those fish except the gold barbs and SAE's and they are all great fish. Good luck!

[esarkipato]

Looks like you will have room to grow, which you will need with the livebearers (look into endler's) and the dwarf cichlids!

[joshua969]

Thanks everyone. I wasn't sure if the stocking plan was heavy or not. Now is the hard part of waiting for my lights to arrive. Thanks again for all your replies.

[joshua969]

Well, part of my stocking might have been adjusted. A couple weeks ago I bought what I thought was 3 oto's for my 16 gallon low tech tank, but they turned out to be CAE'S. I haven't noticed any aggression yet, but I'm keeping a close eye on them. My plan is to move 2 of these guys to the new 55 gallon planted tank. Now my question is, should the CAE's go in first or should I start with the danio's or barbs ? I'm just worried if I put the CAE'S in first that they'll be too aggresive to the other fish that are added. Any suggestions ?

Thanks in advance,
Josh

[crazie.eddie]

I hope you mean SAE's and not CAE's. In either case, you should put the danios in first. They are hardy enough to be used to start cycling. Guppies as well also.

Regarding your filter, in case you want to go high lighted and use CO2, look into getting a canister filter now, instead of using the HOB filter.

[joshua969]

Unfourtunatley they're CAE'S. Maybe Petco will take them back seeing that when I bought them they were labeled as Oto's. Lesson learned I guess.

I thought the danio's or guppies would be perfect for cycling as well, but I thought I would ask because I read that algae eaters should be first in a tank so algae wouldn't get a foothold.

I'm keeping this low light low tech, so I won't be getting into CO2 or high light. Right now it's a 48" twin tube strip at 80 watts total or 1.45 watts/gallon, which I understood to be good for a non CO2 tank. I went with an Aquaclear 70 because while cleaning my Emperor 400 I managed to drop it and the main housing shattered.

Thanks again for your help.
Josh

[crazie.eddie]

I just noticed you live in Joliet. You're not that far from me. I'm close to Lockport.

Since you're just starting the tank, there would really be no algae for any algae eater to live off of.

[joshua969]

That was my thought too. Seemed like an odd way of thinking.

Yeah I live in Joliet. I think you replied to one of my posts about area pet shops that had good plants. I'm going to give Capitol Pet Supply on 173rd and Cicero a try. My friend told me they have a decent selection once in awhile. I've been so busy that I haven't had the time to make it up to Scott's Pet Shop in Westchester.

Have you been to Hobbyland Tropical Fish on Jefferson St. ? They don't have plants, but his fish are in great shape and the owner Dean is always very helpful and friendly. I bought some flake food and he just gave me some java moss for free, which was very nice of him.

As far as stocking, I'll start with the danio's like I originally planned. I still don't know what I'm going to do with the CAE's. Ugh ! Thanks again for all your help.

Josh