The Planted Tank Forum banner

What to do with my 100 Gallon tank

6K views 35 replies 6 participants last post by  Amandas tank 
#1 ·
Hi. I have been reading about fish and plants for 2 years. I almost think I have over done my research because now there isn't any more mistery regarding fish species. Plants are still something I'm learning about.

Anyway, I have a 100 gallon partially planted tank with driftwood and rocks that I think would be concidered about a 78 gallon because it's 48" Long and 18" Wide. Hieght doesn't count for much when it comes to the amount of fish that can inhabit the tank.

So, right now I have 2 angelfish rescues that I am not sure if I want to keep or re-home. I have a female betta rescue that will stay with us until her life is up. I also have 4 kuhli loaches and 6 dennison barbs. I am not happy with my tank inhabitants. I don't know if this is due to too much research on fish, or is it something else. Everyday I find myself looking at my tank and wishing there was something else happening in there.

The Dennison Barbs are pretty but they startle far too easily. They only behave naturally when I am sitting far enough back from the tank that they don't see me, only then will they break up and chase eachother through the plants and rocks. I thought about adding 4 more to help them feel safer, but, really, I don't have the space for a school of 10 6" fish unless they were the only fish in the tank.

The Angels are quite social much like the betta, and they enjoy her company as well. Pretty cool fish. The draw back is, I am limited on what other species of fish I can put in with them due to them being so large they can eat many of the beautiful smaller species I like such as the celestrial pearl danio.

Since the betta stays, gouramis are completely out of the question. I tried a kribensis, but even without a female he was quite aggressive. Would never want to chance a mated pair of Kribensis in fear that I'd loose my betta. Her fins were shredded by the single territorial krib.

The kuhli loaches are never viewed, but I can't catch them so indefinetely they stay too.

So, that's my story. I am merely curious what others out there would do with my tank. Concidering the betta will permanately stay in the tank, and juggling the angels keep them or not keep them, but take out the dennison barbs, what would you do?

Thank you for any suggestions! I am hoping your ideas will help me out of this strange "rut" I'm in with my tank.

:smile:
 
See less See more
#2 ·
...Everyday I find myself looking at my tank and wishing there was something else happening in there...
Dennison barbs look pretty cool, but if they get 6" you are right I doubt you could house many more. I KNOW angels and the betta and the loaches are interesting, so maybe what you need here is a mental adjustment.

Don't give up on me yet! Consider this: what if you viewed your tank as an aquatic garden that happens to have fish, instead of as a fish tank? You have not told us about the plants and surely we cannot let that go. When I visit the botanical garden I do not wish for more active animal life. I am pleased to see any at all and amused with their interaction with an awesome space. Angels are full of character, so are bettas. My initial impression is that you have been conditioned by TV to expect drama and action every minute. But the true beauty of a planted tank is the calm of the little things that happen with a complex interaction over time of natural elements compressed together.

That said, the skittish fish might benefit from a larger school; I have no experience with dennison barbs. Kuhlis like larger groups too. If you want to add a new element consider amano shrimp. They are large enough to not be eaten by the angels and fascinating to watch.
 
#17 ·
Dennison barbs look pretty cool, but if they get 6" you are right I doubt you could house many more. I KNOW angels and the betta and the loaches are interesting, so maybe what you need here is a mental adjustment.

Don't give up on me yet! Consider this: what if you viewed your tank as an aquatic garden that happens to have fish, instead of as a fish tank? You have not told us about the plants and surely we cannot let that go. When I visit the botanical garden I do not wish for more active animal life. I am pleased to see any at all and amused with their interaction with an awesome space. Angels are full of character, so are bettas. My initial impression is that you have been conditioned by TV to expect drama and action every minute. But the true beauty of a planted tank is the calm of the little things that happen with a complex interaction over time of natural elements compressed together.

That said, the skittish fish might benefit from a larger school; I have no experience with dennison barbs. Kuhlis like larger groups too. If you want to add a new element consider amano shrimp. They are large enough to not be eaten by the angels and fascinating to watch.
Hey TomfromStLois! If you are still following this thread, I wanted to update you about a question you had asked...what plants do I have. Well, I have had some help from TPT folks, especially OVT and HighDesert and now have a great prospective plant list. Here it is!

~2-3 Red Tiger Lotus
~2-3 Green Tiger Lotus
~5-8 Amazon Swords
~15-20 Rotala indica (Rotala roundifolia)
~20-30 Echinorodus tenellus (Narrow Leaf Chain Sword)
~4 Water Wisteria (Hygrophila difformis)
~2-3 Water Sprite
~8 Ludwidgia repens
~2 Bacopa Australis
~2 Rotala Rotundifolia 'green'
~3 Asian Ambulia
~3 limnophila sessiliflora
~4 Hygrophlia Kompact

Now all I need is to find some folks who have these plants available. You really gave me that push in the right direction to help me fall-inlove with this hobby again. I feel great about the plan I am now taking for my "Aquatic Garden". This tank will be my Zen when it is finished. Thank you so much Tom and everyone else who has been helpful offering suggestions, tips and helping out with water issues etc.
You are all great and I appreciate every one of you! :smile:
 
#3 ·
Hello! :) Thank you for replying. I enjoyed reading your response. I guess really what I don't like about the tank is how the Denison Barbs dart across the tank when ever there is any sound in the house. We have 5 kids and laminate floors with an open floor plan so a bump on the floor is noticed by the Denisons. When the kids are elsewhere and there are no humans or other pets seen by the denisons, they act calmly and swim gracefully through the plants and branches. It's at that moment I enjoy my tank. I like the serenity of it all. I very much dislike chaos. I have enough of that in my day to day with my kids, dogs and cats ugh....:icon_roll

I have a ton of rocks so the kuhli loaches are well hidden...daily I will catch a glimpse of two at a time snuggled under a rock pile in the front side of the tank. When I leave, they dissapear until the following morning.

:) I don't watch TV LOL :) I hate TV! Can't stand the realty shows, drama, and what not. I enjoy my fish tank much more. There's just something missing. I wish I knew what it was.
So, I have anubias, crypts, and some oxygenated stem plants. I had some floating plants, ruffle plants and moss too, but the denisons got a bout of ICH and I had to treat the tank, killing those plants. :( I have creek rocks we collected ourselves. A variety of sizes. I have three small pieces of driftwood with plants strung to them. I plan to get some larger pieces of driftwood when I can. I need some different plants too. Just not sure what though. My tank is low light with no Co2 dosing with Leaf Zone weekly and having laterite mixed in the gravel.
When I find my plug I will load some pictures up to share ;) That will be fun.

One aspect I do like about my tank is that every level is occupied. The angels stay near the top most the time, the betta is always exploring every nook and cranny and the denisons are mid to bottom and the kuhli loaches of course are bottom.

Anyway, thanks again for your response. :)
 
#4 ·
oh, forgot to mention that I LOVE shrimp! I used to have bamboo shrimp, but they are so sensitive I decided to return them to the LFS. After the ICH episode and having to catch and remove the shrimp (THEY ARE FAST!!!!!), I just thought it'd be best for the shrimp if they were not housed with fish that need meds or salt treatment from time to time. Too bad though because I was crazy for the shrimp!!!!! My kids were too.
 
#5 ·
I would add a larger school of some fish that is relatively small (so you can add enough) but not Angel food.
Something like 12-15 Phantom Tetras, 10-12 Bleeding Hearts or similar fish. They are a bit taller than most fish, so they are not likely to fit in an Angel Fish mouth. I know they are not the best at schooling, but they are safe from Angels, and they will hang out in a group. IME the Phantoms (I have black Phantoms, a very handsome fish) tend to be more up front. The Bleeding Hearts have more of a tendency to hide.

Kuhlie Loaches will come out more if they are in a larger group, but even then it is more of a timing thing. They will come out and dance around for a while, then go back under their rocks. They are not out and about all the time.
 
#6 ·
I don't watch TV either (except a rare sports event), so I was not accusing you as much as voicing a prejudice.

I am glad you find peace in your aquarium. I find it in mine too. I suspect that with five kids, finding peace will remain a rare event around your house. I grew up with four siblings, so I know.

Diana, as usual, is right. If the dennisons are not right for your life - if they are always getting frightened - you could take them out and get a much larger school than just 10-12 tetras. I have a large school of ~45 rummynose and they are always doing something interesting.
 
#7 ·
Oh tomfromstlouis no worries, I thought it was pretty funny about the TV! Never felt accused ;) I can tell ya my husband watches enough TV for the both of us LOL! I have seen your tanks and I must say your 220 gallon tank... Gorgeous! Your Rummynose clan is quite amazing! I had a school of 14 rummynose once (and I adored them!), but they didn't fare well with my largest angelfish. One by one they all dissapeared :( (I took the last 5 to the LFS before they got gobbled)


We used to have 8 kuhli loaches, but they have been slowly dying off one at a time since I got them 10 months ago. Can't figure out why. Water is in pristine condition. No signs of illness, or parasites either. Strange. They look healthy. They are larger than I thought they'd get and their coloring is excellent.

Thank you for your suggestion Dianna :) Phantoms are pretty. I used to have Black Skirt Tetras. They were soooo cute especially from the front view after eating. They ate too quickly for the angels unfortunately. They are gluttens! So, they went back to the LFS. Are the Phantoms aggressive eaters like the skirts? I have never had phantoms so I have no clue about their eating style.

Thank you guys! I am concidering trading the Densions for something else. It would be awesome to have a large school of small fish with the Angels. What is the smallest you would suggest I go? When the Rummynose were being eaten, they were about 1.5". I'm not sure if my big angel would try to eat a 2" fish. Hmmmmm....I do prefer schoolers over shoaling fish. The angels body is about 5" tall and slightly longer.

Thanks again! Your replies have got the wheels turning ;)
 
#9 ·
That said, the skittish fish might benefit from a larger school; I have no experience with dennison barbs. Kuhlis like larger groups too. If you want to add a new element consider amano shrimp. They are large enough to not be eaten by the angels and fascinating to watch.
 
#11 ·
I have Black Phantoms with an Angelfish. They do not nip. I do need more to make a nice school, though. The few I have are not great at schooling. I sure like the flowing mass of a proper school (couple of dozen minimum), but I do not know if Phantoms would do this. There are also some species that are red, look like Phantoms, but are not Serpaes (very bed for nipping).
I know Harlequin Rasboras school a lot better, but are just a little bit bigger than many of the fish Angels can eat. I do not know if they would be safe from a known predatory Angel.

Much better bottom fish, almost always out and playing are any of the Cories. If the ultimate goal is adding shrimp, go with some of the smaller Cories. There are several dwarf species that are shrimp safe, and there are some species that are bigger than the dwarfs, but not full size. Pandas, a few others. I think these are shrimp safe. I do not know about the larger species, but they are big enough to eat shrimp, if they were so inclined: Bronze, Albino, Pepper, Emerald (Brochis splendens) and many others.
 
#12 ·
Thank you Diana :) Cories are cute as buttons. We used to have 10 of them in my daughters tank. When we decided to get rid of all the tanks and get one large one, we gave the dwarf cories to a friend. I do miss their funny little fat bodies awkwardly swimming around the tank.

Do you know of a tall, easy to maintain plant that doesn't require co2 injections and does well in low light? Something that would give shelter to shrimps from the angels?

Thanks again!
 
#13 ·
So, I contacted a invertabrate supplier and have found that the angels will eventually eat any shrimp or crayfish I put in the tank...so, no shrimpies. Right now I am dealing with water issues, so for the time being, no fish will be added. But, that doesn't mean I can't keep planning what fish I'll be keeping.

I have a concrete decision to return the Denison Barbs to the LFS in exchange for other fish. I do love kuhli loaches, so once my water issue is resolved, I plan to try 10 again. I am concidering cherry barbs. While visiting forums and reading people's posts, I have come to the conclusion that cherry barbs can mix well with Angels for some people. I might give it a try, unless something else catches my eye. I am also thinking Harlequin Rasboras; again, some people successfully are keeping them with angels, while others have not. It will have to be closely monitored to be sure they won't become dinner...and remove them if the angel begins snacking.

So, here is what I'm throwing around...fish possibilities (of course not all of them! One large school of a species or 2 schools) bloodfin tetra, silvertip tetra (may nip though...), dwarf corydoras instead of kuhlis, blue tetra, bleeding heart, pair honey gouramis (careful with the betta female).

What I'm leaning towards more so:

2 Angelfish +2 more
1 Betta
2 Kuhli Loach +8 more
-6 Denison Barbs
add:
+14 Harlequin Rasboras
+14 Cherry Barbs

or adding 16 Rosy Tetras and 12 Phantom Tetras instead of the latter two.

hmmmmm...just thought I'd share with you where I'm at right now. Thank you for your suggestions! You really helped me envision something different. I feel quite optimistic about my relationship with my tank ;)

Will let you know what I decide once that time comes! (when my water is stable...)

Thanks again and if you feel impelled to suggest numbers and species from my list, feel free! I enjoy input :) It's quite fun.

 
#14 ·
Okay...I have since changed my mind about the Cherry Barbs and possibly the harlequins and the Kuhli's LOL! Good thing I'm not in a rush to put fish in my tank. I will just keep dreaming until I find the perfect balance for me!

Lemon Tetras have really gotten my attention and from all that I've read they do infact make good schoolers :) Beautiful little lemons; I adore the ones I have seen. So cute! And such a nice low key citrus-y hue. They would be complimented by a shoal of Columbian Tetras IMO. The red and blue with the yellow. Gorgeous! A week ago I decided this combo is what I am sure to go with. Still pretty sure. But, my mind changes often (obviously :redface:) and I am still researching and reading others experiences with these fish. I have plenty of time! It's nice not having the "impulse buying" tacks anymore. I admit, I once had it bad! I would see a species and want it; I would go home and research it than if it was compatible, rush back to the LFS and grab a bag of them. At one point, I had too much going on in my tank and hated it! Ended up returning 5 species of fish!!!! That's horrible!
 
#15 ·
I am going to be a shameless enabler, lol...

A mix of Columbian and Buenos Aires tetras in my 125 - the Buenos are ferocious plant eaters so ignore them! (even tho they are my absolute favorite fish, I just get plants they won't eat) The Buenos have the black caudal spot, the Columbians are the other fish...they school very well.





They will mature into 2.5" fish.
They have visible teeth and might eat plants too, just sayin'...

 
#16 ·
Oh my, you must be kidding LOL! Buenos Aires Tetra? I was going to get some of these guys to put with my Puntius Denisonii and then I ended up with Angelfish that needed a home ASAP and a Betta also in immediate need of a new home, so no Buenos Aires for me! They are not only plant eaters but excellent fin nippers too ;) Let me guess, you like the Red Eye tetra too? Online it doesn't look very nice but in person they are quite pretty.

You take very good pictures. Thanks for sharing you "shameless, shamless enabler":hihi: Ha!!! Too funny. They look beautiful together. Some Lemons and some Red eyes would be amazing in this group!!!
 
#18 ·
I wish I could help you out on your plant quest, but I don't have any of those. I USED to have some, but they got eaten ; )

I've never paid attention to the red eye tetra - I know Petsmart has them, but I guess they never jumped out at me. (I was going to say they never caught my eye...) I did just now google them, and they get to be bigger than I realized, a plus. The scales look like they'd show up large and very metallic, too, like an Odessa Barb (another one I'd like. No room for any more tanks!) So I may have to give them some thought. I wonder how well they school? I've considered Congos and Diamond tetras, but I don't think they school well enough for me - that's my #1 priority. Yes, I know all about rummy nose, but I keep reading how ultra sensitive they are. Scared me off. Now you've given me an idea for a new thread in the fish forum...I guess you're the enabler now - lol.
 
#19 ·
I've always read Rummynose Tetras are good for beginners and that they have a warning for their keepers. They're red nose will "go out" when the water quality is poor.

Male Odessa barbs are gorgeous. Someone suggested the Diamond tetras because as they mature they become very beautiful and shimmer under light like diamonds. That's pretty cool.
The Red eye was never impressive to me either until I watched some youtube videos. That's a good way to check out fish to see how they look and behave in home aquaria. I too have concidered congos. They are awesome in planted tanks but their colors diminish in sparsley planted tanks. All the videos I've watched of them shows them schooling together, but I've read they are shoalers rather than schoolers. I spose they school when someone is close to the tank and that's why they are always schooling in videos. Hmmm.

I fish I absolutely love, but can not have is the Rummynose Rasbora. So beautiful! Blue body and red head. Requiring very cool water, among other things, they have needs that I cannot meet with my current fish. If I could have another large tank, I would definetely concider 40 of these!

Going to find your new thread now ;)

I wish I could help you out on your plant quest, but I don't have any of those. I USED to have some, but they got eaten ; )

I've never paid attention to the red eye tetra - I know Petsmart has them, but I guess they never jumped out at me. (I was going to say they never caught my eye...) I did just now google them, and they get to be bigger than I realized, a plus. The scales look like they'd show up large and very metallic, too, like an Odessa Barb (another one I'd like. No room for any more tanks!) So I may have to give them some thought. I wonder how well they school? I've considered Congos and Diamond tetras, but I don't think they school well enough for me - that's my #1 priority. Yes, I know all about rummy nose, but I keep reading how ultra sensitive they are. Scared me off. Now you've given me an idea for a new thread in the fish forum...I guess you're the enabler now - lol.
 
#20 ·
My lfs always has diamond Tetras onhand, and they are absolutely gorgeous. It's as if they were rolled in giant hologram sequins. Like many fish, they look at their best when natural light bounces off them.

I did watch quite a few vids on the Rummynose tetra, and I simple must have some - lol I have a total of 4 tanks to fill, so two have now had fish selected ; )

Apparently Odessa Barbs prefer cooler water - in the mid 60s to low 70s - will the Rummynose Rasbora fit that requirement? maybe you could have both...
 
#21 ·
My lfs always has diamond Tetras onhand, and they are absolutely gorgeous. It's as if they were rolled in giant hologram sequins. Like many fish, they look at their best when natural light bounces off them.

I did watch quite a few vids on the Rummynose tetra, and I simple must have some - lol I have a total of 4 tanks to fill, so two have now had fish selected ; )

Apparently Odessa Barbs prefer cooler water - in the mid 60s to low 70s - will the Rummynose Rasbora fit that requirement? maybe you could have both...
Well, the Rummy nose tetra can handle from 76-80 degress F and the Odessa barb up to 77 degrees F. So, I would aim to keep the temp at 77.

You are so lucky to have 4 more tanks to fill! I only have the one (and my QT)
 
#29 ·
Took me a while to take a shot, but here it is, it's only a few months old and I have a lot to do to it yet. Being a low tech tank the growth is very, very slow, but I like it that way...



The crinum on the far left were just planted yesterday and will straighten out more, the clump of foating plants on the right is Brazilian Pennywort and it broke loose from the stems planted in the middle of the tank. It makes such a great floater that I'm going to leave it (although spread it out some)
 
#30 ·
Took me a while to take a shot, but here it is, it's only a few months old and I have a lot to do to it yet. Being a low tech tank the growth is very, very slow, but I like it that way...



The crinum on the far left were just planted yesterday and will straighten out more, the clump of foating plants on the right is Brazilian Pennywort and it broke loose from the stems planted in the middle of the tank. It makes such a great floater that I'm going to leave it (although spread it out some)
Holy Cats! I am blown away! Your tank is incredible! It looks like it never ends and you could just swim under that huge piece of wood and away in an underwater forest! I have my Pennywort doing the same ting. My Betta and smallest Angel like to "creep" through the stuff all the time. The little Angel actually positions itself completely on it's side and slices through it. First time I saw this, I ran to the tank really upset thinking s/he died and was stuck in the plants!

I just saved this to my desktop so I could get a closer look. Breathtaking!
 
#31 ·
You're so kind! Really, by the standards of the other big tanks I see here, my is pretty crappy yet. But I like it and that's what counts, right? lol It's slow going but I prefer a low tech, slowly evolving tank - I have no interest in fast growth, constant pruning, etc. heck, I have 1600 square feet of terrestrial gardens outside, I have enough maintenance to do! This tank has no Co2, no ferts other than osmocote caps (and I'm way overdue on that) and the light is just a Home depot shop light with a 6500 and a 6700 for bulbs. It's an experiment!
I just got the crinum in the mail yesterday, we'll see if the fish start eating it. If so I'll have to move it to the 55s when they're set up...
 
#32 · (Edited)
Right, what matters is how the owner of the tank feels about the looks because that person is the one who will be looking at it all day. Personally, your tank is far from crappy! It looks perfect! Each tank has it's own feel. Some are like fairy book gardens, Enchanted Forests and some are like a scene sliced from nature, or like a scene from the great movie Avatar, and then there are those that are all-over-the-place! Each one is unique and taylored to the owners imagination (and skill) Yours to me, looks like a well thought out masterpiece portraying a dark, natural underwater scene from a blackwater area. It is stunning!

I am all mixed up about what I'm going to do with mine LOL! I have drawn up about 30 layouts and still keep thinking of something different. I am the most undecisive person I know! I am constantly changing my mind or tweeking things in every aspect of my life! I can't ever seem to just sit still and enjoy. It's a horrible hitch ;) I am one of those that is all-over-the-place. I've got too many "loves". For example, I can see a Dutch Style and a Iwagumi style; complete opposites and equally "love" both of them if the layout is appealing to me.

There are a few tanks on here that top out on my love list. Yours is most definetely one of them!
 
#33 · (Edited)
Update November 11, 2012:

I wanted to share that I am nearly decided on fishies :) Here is where I'm at as of today. If you have any concerns from experiences you've had with these fish, please don't hesitate to share with me! I have been eliminating fish from the choices based off what others have told me about the species behavior. I have eliminated thus far Lemon Tetras, Bloodfin Tetras and more Angels.

Pre-exsisting inhabitants:
2 Angelfish, 1 Female Round Tail Betta and I will be adding 8 Kuhli Loach...everyone else in the family wants to try them again :)

The prospective species left from my long list are Diamond Tetras, Espei Rasboras mixed with Harlequin Rasboras and have been thinking about adding a small group of shoaling species such as RedBack Bleeding Hearts and/or Rosy Tetras.
 
#34 ·
I'm going tomorrow to buy up all the Gold Tetras my lfs has on bogo Monday, but it will be torture to walk past the Diamond Tetras! I haven't had any Diamond Tetras yet, but the color is so outstanding they are a definite. I need a larger QT tank for them first...I don't know how well they shoal/school, but I can't imagine you'd be disappointed with their beauty.
 
#36 ·
Update: I love my tank again! The tank has undergone a major rescape and looks just how I want it too...plants will look awesome once everything fills in! Thanks to some very kind and helpful folks at TPT I am loving my tank again :)

The Roseline Sharks are gone and we will have 25 Diamond Tetras here next week. They will be added to the main tank after being in QT for awhile. More Kuhli Loaches too. Things are good again :)

If you'd like to see, I have pictures of the rescape here: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=195675
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top