Hello all, first post on this forum and am wondering if I can pick the brains of those more experienced than me.
Working on the set up of a South American type tank. Starting with 55gal with plans for heavy live plantings. Tap H2O has pH of 7.8 with kH of 3 per testing last night. I will have a couple of driftwood pieces plus separate areas set up with caves/cover. My biggest question is stocking. I've been doing research and have found quite a bit of vague/inconsistent info. At this point I would like to have a community tank including some appropriate cichlid species...primarily considering Angels/dwarf-cichlids. The current population in my head consists of...
Angel x 1 or 2
Apisto sp vs Bolivian Rams or Blue Rams x 2-4
Cory sp x 6-8
School of dither-type fish...Rasboras x 8-12
Small pleco...Brushy nose or bulldog
What I'm having trouble finding out is how the bottom dwellers will coexist. Also how many of the cichlids do I need for harmony? The Rams I can easily obtain from my LFS but an Apistos will be ordered elsewhere. Rams would be juvies so unsexed. I'll be doing weekly 50% H2O changes due to my plant fertilization plans so quality shouldn't be an issue. Will likely keep tank temp 78degrees (need to check the pleco temp requirements).
Any advice/comments would be greatly appreciated
Working on the set up of a South American type tank. Starting with 55gal with plans for heavy live plantings. Tap H2O has pH of 7.8 with kH of 3 per testing last night. I will have a couple of driftwood pieces plus separate areas set up with caves/cover. My biggest question is stocking. I've been doing research and have found quite a bit of vague/inconsistent info. At this point I would like to have a community tank including some appropriate cichlid species...primarily considering Angels/dwarf-cichlids. The current population in my head consists of...
Angel x 1 or 2
Apisto sp vs Bolivian Rams or Blue Rams x 2-4
Cory sp x 6-8
School of dither-type fish...Rasboras x 8-12
Small pleco...Brushy nose or bulldog
What I'm having trouble finding out is how the bottom dwellers will coexist. Also how many of the cichlids do I need for harmony? The Rams I can easily obtain from my LFS but an Apistos will be ordered elsewhere. Rams would be juvies so unsexed. I'll be doing weekly 50% H2O changes due to my plant fertilization plans so quality shouldn't be an issue. Will likely keep tank temp 78degrees (need to check the pleco temp requirements).
Any advice/comments would be greatly appreciated