75g Planted Amazon Biotope

[RESET]

I am looking at getting a package from http://www.freshwateraquariumplants.com/ for my new tank. I really like the plants that they chose but I am not too sure about the fish that they suggest. I want to keep a group of Apistogramma cacatuoides, maybe 6 or 8. With that in mind, What do you guys think of the other fish suggested?
Greenfire Tetra's 9-12; Marbled Hatchet Fish 7-9; Pencil Fish 9-12; or Cardinal Tetras 9-12; Ancistrus Teminiki 5-7; Otocinclus 5-7

I have always thought that hatchet fish were funny looking. Could I just go with a larger group of the pencil fish and some other tetra? I love Otos but have never kept the bristle nose. Will this pleco give me problems with the Cockatoos if they start breading?

Here is a link to the biotope page with the plant list, in case you are interested.
http://www.freshwateraquariumplants.com/amazonbiotope/amazon.html

One last question. If I keep 8 of the apistos in there can it be two harem? Do you think there will be enough hiding places for two groups? I was thinking 2 males and 6 females. I would love to get a triple red and an orange flash male and then get all triples for the females or possible one of the other color variations just to see what kind of fry I might get.

 

[RESET]

I am now considering getting the hatchet fish. So I would have the Greenfire/bloodfin Tetras, the marbled hatchet fish and the pencil fish. Then on the bottom, the Otos and maybe a group of corydoras instead of the plecos. I am also thinking that I would like to go with all wild fish for the cacs. Opinions?

 

[JoeTurner14]

Plant wise: Make sure the Heteranthera and alternanthera have adequate lighting, and regular dosage with ferts.

Stockage: I like your stock list, although maybe rather than som many Apisto's why not get maybe 3 Keyhole Cichlids. They stay relatively small (~4") and if you get a pair then they'll breed loads. They are temperate, and peaceful fish that parade about the aquarium putting on great shows. Highly recommend this little gem!

Cory's or ancistrus will be fine, and since you've got a 75G they'll have ample room to go about their business

I'm keen to see how this tank shapes up, definetly post pics of you setting it up and the final result etc, it'll be cool to see

 

[bbortko]

Everything looks good, personally I'd add some swordtails

 

[RESET]

Plant wise: Make sure the Heteranthera and alternanthera have adequate lighting, and regular dosage with ferts.

Stockage: I like your stock list, although maybe rather than so many Apisto's why not get maybe 3 Keyhole Cichlids. They stay relatively small (~4") and if you get a pair then they'll breed loads. They are temperate, and peaceful fish that parade about the aquarium putting on great shows. Highly recommend this little gem!

Cory's or ancistrus will be fine, and since you've got a 75G they'll have ample room to go about their business

I'm keen to see how this tank shapes up, definetly post pics of you setting it up and the final result etc, it'll be cool to see

So, you think I should go with two kinds of cichlids rather than just the one? I will have to look into the keyholes and see whay I think of them.

Everything looks good, personally I'd add some swordtails

Sorry, I can't tell if you are being serious with that suggestion.

 

[JoeTurner14]

yeah keyholes definetly they'll do great in that tank

 

[RESET]

Looks like I will be getting the Otos first. I am getting a bit of an algae problem. You would think that three fish and some snails wouldn't produce enough food for the plants that I still have in there let alone the algae.

 

[pjrichar]

should be okay with apistos,, I have 6 triples and a pair of inka in my 55,, but its a jungle in there... only apisto ever had aggresion prob was aggazzii..

 

[RESET]

I got my Otos today. The six of them have settled in nicely and are already going to town on the brown algae. My next acquisition will be the Eco complete substrate so I can get this thing planted. My drift wood still hasn't sunk but I have it in the swimming pool and it shouldn't be long. I gathered a nice big piece of flat rock that I can use as an anchor for it if I need to but I would rather not.

 

[RESET]

Well, it has been a long time and I went native for a while with this tank but I recently moved to Missouri and the only inhabitants in the tank are my enormous wenditi plant and some snails. I will be clearing all of this out and starting on this amazon biotope. Give me a few months from start to finish. My budget took quite a hit buying a house. I will get some pics posted as soon as i start getting plants in.