Hi all,
I'm currently trying to plan a method of attack for my next aquarium setup. Right now my 55g is home to my african cichlids but I want to make the change back to SA. This wont be happening for at least another year or until I move into a new apartment.
But here we go... I'm thinking a planted aquarium with soil substrate and another substrate to layer on top of it. SA plants and driftwood are the plan to help create that biotope. Filtration and lighting will be taken care of as well as the necessary water changes. I want to keep this tank as low tech as possible, no Co2 injection.
Stocking: I know with the 55g I'm limited on my cichlid selection and I want to make this a peaceful community. I was thinking 3-4 discus, two schools of tetras (cardinals & lemons), and a dwarf cichlid species. I would introduce the tetras first while the planted tank is cycling, wait, add the dwarf cichlid species, wait, add the discus (I feel this would be the best way to introduce the fish: based on sensitivity to water parameter changes due to the newly introduced bioloads and the released products of plants during the start-up phase.)
Will the discus be fine? Should I consider another species? Severum? They're ok but I'm not the biggest fan of them. What are some other stocking options I can consider?
Thanks for your help
I'm currently trying to plan a method of attack for my next aquarium setup. Right now my 55g is home to my african cichlids but I want to make the change back to SA. This wont be happening for at least another year or until I move into a new apartment.
But here we go... I'm thinking a planted aquarium with soil substrate and another substrate to layer on top of it. SA plants and driftwood are the plan to help create that biotope. Filtration and lighting will be taken care of as well as the necessary water changes. I want to keep this tank as low tech as possible, no Co2 injection.
Stocking: I know with the 55g I'm limited on my cichlid selection and I want to make this a peaceful community. I was thinking 3-4 discus, two schools of tetras (cardinals & lemons), and a dwarf cichlid species. I would introduce the tetras first while the planted tank is cycling, wait, add the dwarf cichlid species, wait, add the discus (I feel this would be the best way to introduce the fish: based on sensitivity to water parameter changes due to the newly introduced bioloads and the released products of plants during the start-up phase.)
Will the discus be fine? Should I consider another species? Severum? They're ok but I'm not the biggest fan of them. What are some other stocking options I can consider?
Thanks for your help
