120 Aquarium Stocking Suggestions

[Lilyann]

Hello, I am new to this forum. I was hoping to get some guidance on a tank I will be setting up within a month. I was intending to get a 125 gallon, but space will not permit a five foot tank, so I will have to settle for a 120 (48"x 24" x 25") instead. I was interested in Uaru and Geophagus species and, possibly, 1 large Pleco. However, because I am limited by the footprint of a 120, not sure this tank will work with the species I would like to stock with. So i have some questions:
If it can work, how many of each would you suggest?
If it can work, but only in part, what would you recommend?
Or, if you can think of other species in this biotope that would be better than one of the fish I am intending, I would be happy for your input. Thank you!

Water: 7.8 out of the tap, with a slight rise to 7.9 in twenty four hour period. I have raised discus (domestics and F1's) for fifteen years in this. Will this work for Uaru and Geo's that are tank raised?

Specifications:
Tank size: 48x24x25
Filtration: Fluvel G6
Heaters: (2) Cobalt 200 watt
Aeration: Eheim 400 Air-pump
Substrate: Carib-sea Tahitian Moon
Lighting: 48" Finnex Planted Plus 24 Hour Cycle
The heaters, aeration, lighting and substrate I have purchased already.
But, the filter,,, I have used the Fluvel G6 on my discus tank for several years and am very happy with it. But, would it be powerful enough for this tank?Would it be better to get another filter?

Aquascaping:
Planning on 1or 2 large stumps and some smooth rock of some sort.
Any Suggestions?

 

[Ryan1783]

Should be fine

 

[Lilyann]

Should be fine

Thank you. Do you have any recommendations on how many I should keep of each? I was thinking maybe a three or four Uaru. Along with 5 geophagus winemilleri or altifrons. Does that sound acceptable?

 

[kewpiefishypewpie]

That sounds reasonable to me, along with some dithers and nice aquascaping that could be a great tank.

 

[TheHeros]

I think I would consider upgrading the filtration. The Fluval G6, though flashy and somewhat simple to clean, can't handle that large of a tank by itself. In my experience I had to clean the filter every 2 days to maintain a decent amount of output flow.

 

[Brandonclark88]

You should be fine with that set up. An upgraded filter wouldn't hurt though. Just keep up on water changes and I wouldn't see any issues. What type of pleco are you thinking of and are you doing just cichlids or some kind of shoaling fish as well?

 

[MP_cichlid]

what kind of tank are you looking for? I think that 4 Uaru would be too many. They can get rather large. duanes Stanzzzz7 are well educated with these species. they will have some good input.

 

[cichlidfish]

Think aggression won't be an issue, but water quality might be. As long as the filtration is good and lots of water changes. Once the fish are grown, big daily water changes might be needed.

 

[Lilyann]

I think I would consider upgrading the filtration. The Fluval G6, though flashy and somewhat simple to clean, can't handle that large of a tank by itself. In my experience I had to clean the filter every 2 days to maintain a decent amount of output flow.

I am open to that. What filter would you suggest?

 

[Lilyann]

Think aggression won't be an issue, but water quality might be. As long as the filtration is good and lots of water changes. Once the fish are grown, big daily water changes might be needed.

Thank you. I do not want water quality to be a problem, so what would your recommendation be as far as numbers? I don't mind doing water changes, I do them often for my discus tank, but I don't want to be overstocked. I want them to have plenty of room to grow to potential. What filter would you recommend? For this size tank, do you think it would be better just to do one species instead? Just Geo's or just Uaru's?