Too many choices!

[chrism]

hi...

I'm not sure on the pictus cats, i've read you should have at least 6 of them, they're very active and are preditors will gobble up any small fish... i'd be interested to know if other more experienced ppl would recommend them for your size tank? (which is pretty large)

good choice on the rams, theyre great fish, as is the BN if you can get a male & female

If youre not fussed on tetra's what about Harlequin Rasbora? theyre a nice addition [acronym:7022f506cc="in my opinion"]imo[/acronym:7022f506cc] anyway

[Menagerie]

I have a 50 [acronym:f94e975104="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:f94e975104] tank with close to what you are looking for. Before our big move (not everyone made the adjustment), I had rams, apitos, khuli and yo-yo loaches, BN, rubber lip, two albino BN plecos and white clouds. And a bunch of cories. The tank was stable for a bit over a year. None of the fish had a problem with each other and my bottom dwellers could be seen at all parts of the day (the tank is not a standard 50).
If you want dwarf cichlids and plecos, go for it. Cories will go well in that tank, but clown loaches will eventually outgrow it and all loaches like to be in groups. Pictus cats do get a bit large to be in harmony with the dwarf cichlids--I have never kept them, but that's my take on them. I do not recommend hillstream loaches, as they are cooler water fish.
There are pics of my 50 in my gallery. Right now, the only big difference is no rams or apistos and I have gone with kribs.

[Lonewolfblue]

I would disagree on that one. I currently have a Bolivian Ram in with sharks and striped loaches, and a dojo loach. They don't bother each other at all. Also have [acronym:b5f710fa84="Chinese Algae Eater"]CAE[/acronym:b5f710fa84]'s, which occasionally the Bolivian will chase, but not often.

[Lonewolfblue]

Originally Posted by workfortheman

From experience, I would suggest AGAINST loaches with Rams. For some reason, my German Blue Rams hate my botia lohachatas, big and small! I'd assume the same with other loaches and Bolivians, and possibly the same with all bottom dwellers?

I would think that the gouramis would be okay, as they stay in the upper regions I believe. The Rams will mostly be lower.

I would disagree on that one. I currently have a Bolivian Ram in with sharks and striped loaches, and a dojo loach. They don't bother each other at all. Also have [acronym:2711ea32db="Chinese Algae Eater"]CAE[/acronym:2711ea32db]'s, which occasionally the Bolivian will chase, but not often.

[czcz]

Suggest you skip the hillstream loaches as they are wild caught from very fast rivers, and from what I understand of Rams, their current requirements are vastly different. Check out Martin Thoene's profile and info on hillstreams if you havent already. Here's a descriptive pic included in his profile:

[DepotFish]

Those fish you named are mostly bottom level fish. You should get a balance of top level swimmers and bottom and middle. Otherwise your tank bottom will be crowded and nobody will be at the top of in the middle. I don't know of how well those fish will get along though, I've seen some websites that list a good mix for certain sized tanks.

[zenkatydid]

i thought rams were more mid level fish? if not... i might have to rethink that, because that's too many lower level guys.

and no pictus cats or hillstream loaches. check.

what if i go with:

3 x clown loaches
1 x bristlenose
2 x bolivian rams
6 x panda corys
2 x honey gouramis
+ a school of something mid-top dwelling

would that work?

[DepotFish]

I guess rams are considered a all-level swimmer. That combination looks good, they all do well around the same temperature. Whatever you pick I'm sure you'll have a beautiful tank. I can't wait to set up my own huge tank, I'll probably go for bright colours like bettas and fancy guppies.

[zenkatydid]

thanks guys

i'm pretty happy with that group. i may swap the gouramis for some more small schooling guys but we'll see.

do you think that's enough algae control? should i chuck in a couple of sucking cats? (that's what they call them here... not sure if there's a better name for them - they're long and skinny and usually golden/tan coloured and are buggers to catch - sucking/suckermouth cats?)