Boring tank, need ideas

[jhawk__]

My 28bf planted tank has once again begun to be lame. I don't know what could help it out at this point, I don't wanna completely rescape it unless I have to!

Any ideas on how to liven it up?

My current stock is
1 koi angelfish
2 gbr's
1 koi swordtail
2 female bettas
4 neon tetra
2 Cory's
1 Bn pleco

What can I add/ swap to my stock to liven up the tank?

I want lots of color!!

 

[kmny34]

My 28bf planted tank has once again begun to be lame. I don't know what could help it out at this point, I don't wanna completely rescape it unless I have to! Any ideas on how to liven it up? My current stock is 1 koi angelfish 2 gbr's 1 koi swordtail 2 female bettas 4 neon tetra 2 Cory's 1 Bn pleco What can I add/ swap to my stock to liven up the tank? I want lots of color!!

Here's a list of colorful fish that I know of:
Guppies
Platys
Swordtails
Serpae tetras (they turn a great red color when use to the tank)
Cherry barbs (also can get an intense red to them)
Rummy nose tetras
And there are more!!!

Me personally I would ditch the neons and up the Cory's!!! Then I would either get a school of cherry barbs, serpae tetras, or rummy nose. Rummy nose would be the safe side since you have an angelfish. But cherry barbs and serpaes should be fine as long as you get at least 6-7 of them.

What size tank do you have???

 

[jhawk__]

Here's a list of colorful fish that I know of: Guppies Platys Swordtails Serpae tetras (they turn a great red color when use to the tank) Cherry barbs (also can get an intense red to them) Rummy nose tetras And there are more!!! Me personally I would ditch the neons and up the Cory's!!! Then I would either get a school of cherry barbs, serpae tetras, or rummy nose. Rummy nose would be the safe side since you have an angelfish. But cherry barbs and serpaes should be fine as long as you get at least 6-7 of them. What size tank do you have???

I've been thinking a few kobra guppys, they're always good looking. I've seen cherry barbs at my lfs, they're an intense red! They might work. Could I have 2 schools or fish? Neons and cherry barbs?

 

[mistersprinkles]

I've been thinking a few kobra guppys, they're always good looking. I've seen cherry barbs at my lfs, they're an intense red! They might work. Could I have 2 schools or fish? Neons and cherry barbs?

Neons and Cherry barbs is a very good idea actually.

 

[Rivercats]

Just so you know the male cherry barbs are the very intense red. Females have some red but not like males. Also don't buy all males as they will have more intense red if there are females present. I have 15 cherry barbs with 6 or 7 males only.

 

[Coyne]

Serpaes like to nip at long, flowy fins. Just thought I'd mention this since you mentioned you had an Angelfish and a Swordtail. Larger schools can curb this behavior, but there's no guarantees.
I've got a school of 7 Serpaes housed with a Lyretail Molly. The Molly is fine, but she certainly steers clear of them.

 

[Coyne]

Oh.. I was also going to suggest re-scaping/redecorating your tank instead of adding new stock. A change in scenery can make things more interesting for you and your fish.

 

[Jwspong]

Throw in a snakehead. That'd spice things up a bit.

 

[mistersprinkles]

Throw in a snakehead. That'd spice things up a bit.

^ Don't actually do this. It'll be bad.

 

[johnny leftist]

Is your tank live or silk planted? If it's silk, i'd suggest switching to live plants...it adds a whole new dimension to your setup, and provides insane benefits as far as natural filtration.

 

[jhawk__]

Is your tank live or silk planted? If it's silk, i'd suggest switching to live plants...it adds a whole new dimension to your setup, and provides insane benefits as far as natural filtration.

Live plants

Flora:
Jungle val x5
Wisteria x1
Compacta x4
Tall plant I can't remember name of
Short plant I can't remember name of

These are all under a 2 bulb t5ho. What light level would this have me at? Low-medium-high?

 

[jhawk__]

Could I do

1 angel
2 rams
1 swordtail
2-3 guppies
7 cherry barbs
7 neons
2 Cory's
1 Bn plec

I don't real wanna rehome any fish I currently have

 

[mistersprinkles]

Could I do

1 angel
2 rams
1 swordtail
2-3 guppies
7 cherry barbs
7 neons
2 Cory's
1 Bn plec

I don't real wanna rehome any fish I currently have

With good filtration, yes you could do that. IMO it'd be a little crowded.

 

[Rivercats]

These are all under a 2 bulb t5ho. What light level would this have me at? Low-medium-high?

These would give you a good solid medium light if you have good reflectors on the fixture. I use a 2 bulb Aquatic Life T5HO fixture with Geisemann bulbs over my 55g and can grow most anything but higher light carpeting plants. One thing tho is with this lighting you would get much better and faster growth using CO2 or liquid carbon and dry ferts.

 

[Rivercats]

Could I do

1 angel
2 rams
1 swordtail
2-3 guppies
7 cherry barbs
7 neons
2 Cory's
1 Bn plec

I don't real wanna rehome any fish I currently have

This is pushing the stocking levels to the very limit but if you do weekly 50% WC's along with having good filtration you can get away with it.

 

[The Trooper]

I'd perhaps be looking at getting more than 2 corys, they prefer to live in shoals of around 5+, would mean swapping out some of your others but would be worth it imo, love my corys

 

[jhawk__]

With good filtration, yes you could do that. IMO it'd be a little crowded.

Right now I have a HOB AC 50. Would this be enough filtration? I can purchase another filter if needed. I love AC's

 

[jhawk__]

These would give you a good solid medium light if you have good reflectors on the fixture. I use a 2 bulb Aquatic Life T5HO fixture with Geisemann bulbs over my 55g and can grow most anything but higher light carpeting plants. One thing tho is with this lighting you would get much better and faster growth using CO2 or liquid carbon and dry ferts.

To be more exact, I have a coralife dual t5ho fixture. Do u know if these are any good? As so far it's been keeping all my plants alive and well, and I only dose this one fertilizer I got once a week from Petco. Can't remember the name of it tho :/

 

[Rivers2k]

School of cherry barbs are a great idea I had a large school that I loved. I also had a school of cardinals and a silver molly in with them.

 

[kmny34]

You should post some pics of your tank!!!