stocking help for 55gal planted tank

[jrock]

First let me get the dimension/equipment:
55 gal (48 long x 21 high)
Rena XP4
ADA amazonia w/ powder type for top layer
will be planted
2 x 55 wat T-5's

I live in south florida so it's hard to get water below 78 degrees and the PH out of my tap is rather high 7.8+

What I plan so far:
I will most likely use danios for the cycling but I don't which ones or how many i should use for the cycling and how many i should maintain for a decent school
5-6 pygmy cories (maybe panda's)
5-6 kuhli loaches

I would like some pretty schooling fish like neon tetra's but don't know how many would be sufficient

is there anything else I could add to this? maybe a couple angels to keep the other fish schooling or maybe platties or resboras?

any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[Sponsors]

[James From Cali]

I would not use any fish for cycling. Do a search(on the web and the forum) for fishless cycleing methods. I think you can do:

30-40 Neon Tetras
2 Rams/Apistos/Kribensis
3-5 Platy
6 or 7 Panda/Pygmy Corys
3-5 Khuli Loaches

I think that this will keep it adequetly stocked but keep it from being to crowded.

[lauraleellbp]

I would recommend cardinal tetras over neons at those water temps. I'm just across the Alley from you and have probs keeping my tanks cool during the summer.

Don't mix angels with small tetras- they end up lunch.

A school of rasboras would be a nice contrast with the cardinals, or a school of dwarf hatchetfish would be a very nice addition to the topwater area of the tank (make sure you have a canopy though- they literally fly).

I'm not sure that khulis wouldn't keep your ADA soil stirred up- they love digging?

[oblongshrimp]

your aquasoil will leech ammonia into the water, you won't need any fish. If you have a bunch of plants you don't really need to cycle anyways. You will however need to let the tank sit for a bit to let the ammonia leech out before adding fish. If you have another tank, or know someone who does, take some filter media from the old tanks filter and put it in yours.

[jrock]

thanks guys

I will definitely do the fishless cycle

[newshound]

I've heard Kuhli's are nothing but problems in the last few years...and I am a loach nut.

[valerietheangel]

We keep harlequin rasboras in one of our community tanks and they are gorgeous little fish under good lighting. They've been surprisingly hardy too despite their more "fragile" reputation.

[fishscale]

I think 30-40 neons would be a bit much in addition to everything else, but if you kept up with water changes, you'd be fine. I tend to get lazy.