Stocking My First(ish) Non Nano-Fish Tank

[GoblinTheAxolotl]

Rather than selecting fish at random that have a combination of traits you like I would first check pH to make sure you’re not selecting something that will be a long term problem.

You first keep water. Second to that you keep fish that will thrive in the water you have available . Ignoring that aspect can lead to a lot more work and expense. Medicating a big tank is more costly than medicating a smaller tank as well.

Enjoy the journey.

While I am new to large fish and somewhat new to the hobby (3ish years in), keeping nano fish and shrimp in small tanks has taught me to understand water quality management. Yes it is more work and money to modify water but that doesn't really bother me. Like I said in my update post, I have a number of black water tanks (somewhere around 150 gallons total) and as such I am more than used to modifying my tap water which has a TDS of 250-350. I bought an RO unit specifically so I could keep the fish I want.

If you do have any suggestions for bottom dwelling fish I would greatly appreciat them.

Edit: Grammar (missed a comma)

 

[Joshuakahan]

Thanks! I quite like that idea. If I was to do one or two severums in another tank, what size would you recommend?

I also forgot to mention in my post I have a juvenile axolotl as well.

The axolotl is gonna mess up your plans quite a bit. They don’t do well long term in warmer water. Ideal for them is 60-65. Not very good for tropical fish. They will also eat any fish that will fit in their mouth

 

[GoblinTheAxolotl]

The axolotl is gonna mess up your plans quite a bit. They don’t do well long term in warmer water. Ideal for them is 60-65. Not very good for tropical fish. They will also eat any fish that will fit in their mouth

My axolotl is in a 40 breeder by himself and is perhaps one of the the dumbest animals I have seen. I still love him though.

 

[Trouser Cough]

While I am new to large fish and somewhat new to the hobby (3ish years in), keeping nano fish and shrimp in small tanks has taught me to understand water quality management. Yes it is more work and money to modify water but that doesn't really bother me. Like I said in my update post, I have a number of black water tanks (somewhere around 150 gallons total) and as such I am more than used to modifying my tap water which has a TDS of 250-350. I bought an RO unit specifically so I could keep the fish I want.

The African is probably going to prefer a more acidic pH than the S/A. Be that as it may I didn't realize that you had an RO for your water which will remove primary buffering concerns. My apologies... I have no experience w/ the African and am not the right guy for tank mate suggestions. Good luck.

 

[Joshuakahan]

Oh haha, I thought you meant with the fish. I used to keep water dogs, Similar to an axolotl except if you provide a dry area, they turn into a salamander

 

[GoblinTheAxolotl]

The African is probably going to prefer a more acidic pH than the S/A. Be that as it may I didn't realize that you had an RO for your water which will remove primary buffering concerns. My apologies... I have no experience w/ the African and am not the right guy for tank mate suggestions. Good luck.

All good. For most people it really isn't worth the time, money, or effort that comes with modifying tap water parameters.

 

[GoblinTheAxolotl]

Oh haha, I thought you meant with the fish. I used to keep water dogs, Similar to an axolotl except if you provide a dry area, they turn into a salamander

All good, I would actually love waterdogs/mudpuppies if I was allowed them. I love amphibians but almost all aquatic and amphibious amphibians are banned here, and no one breeds or sells the ones that aren't.

 

[Trouser Cough]

All good. For most people it really isn't worth the time, money, or effort that comes with modifying tap water parameters.

Stripping calcium, magnesium and other disolved solids from the water is a comparatively simple and straightforward process with modern semi-permiable membranes. Buffering is the method most of us used in years past. It's a voodoo science that can result in freakish and unanticipated water chemistry swings and the health issues that come with it... like HTH and worse. The end result is that many consider pH early in the stocking game as it has historically been key to long term health. Nott long ago some considered pH for fish was a little like humidity for humans; maybe a little unpleasant but nothing more. Much has been learned in the last half century and maybe a future generation of hobbyists will make what we learned seem like child's play. Hopefully in another 50 years huge strides will have been made and water quality won't be an issue.

Doubt it though.

 

[SilverArowanaBoi]

If you go the African route, you can do bichirs, any syno species, ropefish, and elephantnose fish.