Stocking a 240 gallon aquarium

[Brody L]

Before I begin let me just say I apologize if I'm doing something wrong , or made any mistakes posting this I'm new to this and I've never used a forum before.

So to start off, about a year ago I got a 75 gallon aquarium, and I stocked it with 1 Oscar, 1 Firemouth, and 3 Silver Dollars. Soon after doing that I realized what a mistake I had made. Now I can say through my own experience, I don't believe a 75 is even big enough for a single Oscar. Well, I've learned my lesson now. Anyway, within the next month I'll be building a 240 gallon aquarium (8ft x 2ft x 2 ft) and I wanted some input on the fish I plan to put in.

Stock list:
1 Oscar
1 Firemouth cichlid
3-5 Silver Dollars
1 Common Pleco
1 Sun Catfish (I have him growing out in a 55)

I'm gonna have 2 diy canister filters, and several large sponge filters running on the tank.

Any input would be greatly appreciated, I just wanna make sure I don't make another mistake and overstock again.

 

[MrsE88]

I would honestly skip the common pleco. They are just poop machines, lol. If you want a pleco I’d go for one of the many beautiful varieties there are out there. I wish I would have. I have two sailfins(commonly sold as commons, but aren’t) and I wish I would have gotten more interesting ones. Plus these guys get so big:/
If the reason behind getting one is algae control, get snails. They do a much better job.
That’s my 2cents anyway.

 

[Brody L]

I would honestly skip the common pleco. They are just poop machines, lol. If you want a pleco I’d go for one of the many beautiful varieties there are out there. I wish I would have. I have two sailfins(commonly sold as commons, but aren’t) and I wish I would have gotten more interesting ones. Plus these guys get so big:/
If the reason behind getting one is algae control, get snails. They do a much better job.
That’s my 2cents anyway.

I agree with commons being very messy. I used to have one but he jumped well I was at school. And no I don't want one for algae control, for some reason I've always just been drawn to the common pleco, and after losing mine I've wanted to get another one for so long. I will definitely look into prettier ones though, I have a couple Bristlenose in a 55 right now and besides the common that I lost, those are the only other plecos I've kept, and Id love to get one for this big tank.

 

[MrsE88]

Oh if you like them for what they are then by all means get one. I got mine before I realized how many different kinds are out there I grew up with them always being in tanks so to me they almost seemed mandatory. Haha

 

[justarn]

I would do 5 firemouths and 6 dollars. Do a royal pleco and probably 5 clown loach.
I have a 13" suncat, awesome cats, great choice.
Any pics of the current stock?

 

[Brody L]

I would do 5 firemouths and 6 dollars. Do a royal pleco and probably 5 clown loach.
I have a 13" suncat, awesome cats, great choice.
Any pics of the current stock?

View attachment 1294907

That's awesome! I've never seen a Sun cat THAT big! I can't wait to grow mine out! Yah would several firemouth work? I've heard they can be kept fine in groups but would this be ok with the oscar?

 

[justarn]

Yeah in an 8*2*2 they will be good. Oscar will ignore them if too small to eat and they won't bother him if they breed once he is 10". Very unlikely imo at least.

 

[Brody L]

Yeah in an 8*2*2 they will be good. Oscar will ignore them if too small to eat and they won't bother him if they breed once he is 10". Very unlikely imo at least.

Awesome, thanks for the feedback

 

[Gourami Swami]

Stocking looks good to me. I would up the number of silver dollars, they are kind of a skittish fish but are more comfortable in groups. I would go for like 7. Pick your favorite kind and get a school of that type, I have found the different species don't always school together.
I agree I'd personally get a fancy pleco, unless you really love the commons. When they get huge, they don't eat much algae anymore.

 

[Brody L]

Stocking looks good to me. I would up the number of silver dollars, they are kind of a skittish fish but are more comfortable in groups. I would go for like 7. Pick your favorite kind and get a school of that type, I have found the different species don't always school together.
I agree I'd personally get a fancy pleco, unless you really love the commons. When they get huge, they don't eat much algae anymore.

Ok thanks, I was planning to go with 5 silver dollars but if more is better I'll definitely go for it