Tired of my funky, messed up tank!

[johnnymax]

Well, I have kept Mozambique Tilapia in my mail 75g tank in the living room for over a year. I fight it constantly.
The fish are just messy and destroy everything!
I knew that before I got them, but it wares on me and I know there are too many in my tank (9) but they are not that big.
I finally removed more than half of the gravel because they would pile it up halfway to the water line!
I have the light on less than 3 hours per day, but funk grows on everything after just a few days.
I set up a 60g tank I picked up on the side of the road and made it a native tank with small fish.
It stays clean and clear. I forgot how nice that looks! I want that for my main tank! For my wife too...
That being said I am moving the Tilapia into the shop, to a 275g tote and I want a nice looking tank in the living room.

Here is what I am planning.
I am going to clean and sanitize the tank and everything that goes in it and start new.
I normally keep the microbes, but I want to start new, cycle it and add store bought microbes to help get it going.
Here is my fish list.
These fish full grown will max out my tank, but I am starting with small fish, so I am not too worried about the number and I doubt they will reach their max size too fast, if ever and some may die.
My pleco will be the fastest grower I think, but they are a catfish, so he will be fine.

Fish list:
1-Common Pleco (Max Size 24")
2-Bala Sharks (Max Size 14")
1-Algae Eater (Max Size 11")
2-Gourami (Max Size 6")
3-Silver Dollar Tetra (Max Size 6")

I am not going too exotic. Easy fish from PetSmart (all I have Local).
I have my pleco in a tank trying to grow him out some. I will be adding an Algae Eater to the grow out tank with him this week.
I like to buy small and raise them up. It's the "Fish Father" in me.
I picked fish that grow to at least 6" not that they will reach their max size.

Here is a picture of my Funky Tank I took the other day, one week after an 80% water change and scrubbed the glass.
It looks like this most of the time.
Below that is a picture of my new native tank. The wife loves it.
All comments and suggestions are welcomed, some may even be considered & implemented...

 

[Rocksor]

Your proposed stocking will eventually lead to the same problem that you had with the tilapia in a few years. When 10”, the pleco alone will easily foul a water volume of 50 g in a week.

you have to go into this thinking all will live for the next 10years (common plecos 20+ years) and not that you will lose some along the way.

 

[eon aquatics]

your aquariums look good to me

 

[johnnymax]

Your proposed stocking will eventually lead to the same problem that you had with the tilapia in a few years. When 10”, the pleco alone will easily foul a water volume of 50 g in a week.

you have to go into this thinking all will live for the next 10years (common plecos 20+ years) and not that you will lose some along the way.

I do have a long term plan, but not an exact timeline. We are building a house. The foundation is poured. I had them increase the thickness of the foundation where I will put my next tank. I want 8' long minimum and 10' max. The time-line is unsure, because I am watch lumber prices. Still way too high. I track lumber commodities on the NASDAQ and prices are finally dropping like a rocket, but still more than twice what it was a year ago.
Thanks for input...

 

[Fishman Dave]

Think you have the ideal makings of a nice community setup with the gourami being the largest fish I’d recommend for this tank. The plec WILL reach 18” and even in this tank in less than 12 months.
The Bala sharks are just too skittish for a tank of this size.
Algae eaters of the Chinese type are just bullies.
Silver dollars depending on type could grow bigger than 6” and as plant eaters could keep trying to destroy your plastic plants.
Not sure on your filtration but if it couldn’t handle your previous stocking then I’m afraid it can’t handle your proposed one either and the mess will return.

 

[celebrist]

Well, I have kept Mozambique Tilapia in my mail 75g tank in the living room for over a year. I fight it constantly.
The fish are just messy and destroy everything!
I knew that before I got them, but it wares on me and I know there are too many in my tank (9) but they are not that big.
I finally removed more than half of the gravel because they would pile it up halfway to the water line!
I have the light on less than 3 hours per day, but funk grows on everything after just a few days.
I set up a 60g tank I picked up on the side of the road and made it a native tank with small fish.
It stays clean and clear. I forgot how nice that looks! I want that for my main tank! For my wife too...
That being said I am moving the Tilapia into the shop, to a 275g tote and I want a nice looking tank in the living room.

Here is what I am planning.
I am going to clean and sanitize the tank and everything that goes in it and start new.
I normally keep the microbes, but I want to start new, cycle it and add store bought microbes to help get it going.
Here is my fish list.
These fish full grown will max out my tank, but I am starting with small fish, so I am not too worried about the number and I doubt they will reach their max size too fast, if ever and some may die.
My pleco will be the fastest grower I think, but they are a catfish, so he will be fine.

Fish list:
1-Common Pleco (Max Size 24")
2-Bala Sharks (Max Size 14")
1-Algae Eater (Max Size 11")
2-Gourami (Max Size 6")
3-Silver Dollar Tetra (Max Size 6")

I am not going too exotic. Easy fish from PetSmart (all I have Local).
I have my pleco in a tank trying to grow him out some. I will be adding an Algae Eater to the grow out tank with him this week.
I like to buy small and raise them up. It's the "Fish Father" in me.
I picked fish that grow to at least 6" not that they will reach their max size.

Here is a picture of my Funky Tank I took the other day, one week after an 80% water change and scrubbed the glass.
It looks like this most of the time.
Below that is a picture of my new native tank. The wife loves it.
All comments and suggestions are welcomed, some may even be considered & implemented...

View attachment 1464271

View attachment 1464272

Some thoughts
Switch the common pleco for bristlenoses
Change the 2 balas to 6-8 roselines
Won't need another algae eater
gourami- should be fine if dwarf or 3 spot
Change 3 silver dollars to 6-8 red and blue columbian tetras

 

[johnnymax]

I will check the species mentioned.
I already have the common pleco! ?
Filtration is getting an upgrade in the change. I will be getting my first canister filter.
Here is the one I have on my wish list.
As soon as I move the Tilapia I will order it. (Bummer! I just looked and it is not available at the price it was!)
Suggestions wanted for a good "affordable" canister filter.

Amazon.com

 

[johnnymax]

What about this filter? Anyone familiar with it?
Polar Aurora Free Media 4-Stage External Canister Filter with 9-watt Light, 525 GPH with Free Media

Amazon.com

 

[duanes]

I agree with the suggestions and cautions stated above.
No-one has mentioned, that bala sharks reach 14" and along with being too skittish for that size tank, they also will vastly outgrow it, and create the same conditions as in the Tilapine tank.
At maturity Chinese algae eaters seldom eat algae, and as stated turn into aggressive bullies, especially in that size tank.
And I agree a bristle nose pleco would be a much better fit, common Plecos are simply too much for, and massive waste producers for that tank.
Either trade it in on a bristle nose, or eat it (They are eaten here in Panama, and I here they taste like grilled lobster, if cooked on the BBQ).

 

[celebrist]

With filtration you generally get what you pay for,
Is a sump not an option then?

Put the pleco in the tote with the tilapia

Edit for clarity