200 gallon stocking ideas

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Real
I have a 220 that I have some Geophagus Winemilleri along with some Green severum some Redline gold severum a few Electric blue Acara and some clown loaches.
It works out well all the fish get along with out any problem.
I don’t have it planted just some hard scape wood and rocks.



This is roughly 160 gallons by the way. Not that it really matters.
Awww its 200 with the sump, honestly I'm not set on that, I'm toying with the idea of going even bigger, if the wifey will let i would wouldnt mind doing a 300 gallon.. Im thinking some angels, silver dollars, geophagus, some bottom feeders of some kind, and would it be a terrible idea to throw is a black ghost knife?
 
Really like the bandit cichlids, wonder if they'd do well with angels?
Should be fine, really not aggressive, they occupy a different tank level to angles, if kept in a group mine were to busy interacting with each other to notice any other fish in the tank. Just make sure your water quality is up to scratch.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tlindsey
Speaking of water, whats the consensus on using ro/di water? Obviously its pretty much a must for reef tanks, but I also know that its best to not use it with discus tanks, not sure about a south American community tank?
 
Also what about Vieja synspila? I've seen some videos of them pairs with silver dollars so I don't think that would be an issue, not sure about angels though, and again id think id have to avoid smaller schooling fish, unless someone thinks i could get away with one of the bigger tetras that wouldn't become a snack
 
Vieja synspilum now Vieja melanura are pretty mellow for centrals but are still centrals. It would come down to the individual fish how much carnage they would do, if any. A small nip from a 16 inch fish would ruin a angles day. Saying that I have had large vieja with swordtails with no problems. Also most central Americans come from hard water areas, alot different to alot of south American fish.
As for ro water it very much depends on what fish you want and how good or bad your tap water is.
 
Awww wasn't aware those were from central America, probably pass on those. As for water I don't honestly know just yet, Ill be moved into my new house next month. I know with salt water its common place for people to use ro/di, got me thinking about setting an ro/di station for my tanks, but I'm thinking its probably unnecessary, i know it would strip a lot of the minerals from the water.
 
If your wanting to keep some of the more delicate black water species and know what your doing to keep it at a consistent desired level when re adding some buffing capacity, have the time, space, money then it can be worth it.
You should be able to get a full water report from the area your moving too on the internet.
 
Not really wanting to do anything delicate, between work and the family, along with my other tanks I don't want to have something that requires constant over watch and maintenance lol. My current tanks are all pretty hands off aside from by weekly water changes and cleaning the filters out once a month. At this rate I'm thinking a school of angels, some tiger stripe silver dollars if i can find them, geophagus of some sort, a school of corys, a pleco, and mayyybbeeeeeee a black knifeghost fish for something on the odd ball side, this all being in a 215 or 240 with a sump.
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com