150 SA Biotope or Community help me choose!

[rabendr2]

I recently picked up a used 72" x 24" x 20" (lxwxh) on craigslist. There are two catches, it's acrylic and the back 4" along the entire tank is a built-in overflow and sump.

The two inhabitants that are for sure are a green and gold severum (they already live in a 55 I am tearing down). I would like to add a rotkiel sev and maybe a red sev to the mix.

Option1:
Add GT and bottom dweller = full

Option2:
Add in schooling tetras (# based on size)
Some (2) Angles/Festivums (I feel my fiance would like the angels the most)
2-4 l. curviceps or dorsica
10 cories (julii's maybe)
1 Blue Acara (maybe to make up for the GT)

Option 3: None of the above.

I have been trying to find evidence of anyone keeping appisto's with severums. I think it could work, but they might also be expensive feeders.

I am also interested to know of personal experiences with pleco's and acrylic. I think a bristlenose should not be used. Is this correct?

My sevs are laid back, and I like them, so I welcome all opinions that keep them in the picture.

Just an fyi, black 3m colorquartz substrate. Black background. Some lighter colored rocks. Considering plants, but i know how severums are.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[Jmart159]

I personally like option #2 simply because of the variety.

 

[japes]

Option 2 will end up with 0 Tetra if you put in a pulcher/saum.

 

[gazelle]

being acryllic is not nessecarily a catch....

its moreexpensive and lgihter

 

[rabendr2]

Japes (and others), do you think option 2 is viable without the acara?

I put acrylic as a catch because I was unaware many pleco varieties could scratch acrylic with their rasping. This has me a bit concerned, but I think cory's in option 2 would be much more entertaining than my bristlenose anyway.

 

[japes]

Indeed, will work nicely.

 

[rabendr2]

Thanks,

Has anyone seen an appisto/sev setup. Also, does anyone know if the petsmart curviceps (laetacara dorsigera's) are of a high quality. I am having trouble finding reasonably priced S/A's around here. I recently moved and haven't been everywhere yet though.