Stocking idea for 300-500 gallon Aquarium

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
SmokyCartoon said:
I would also add black ghost knife fish to list of possible pleco replacements
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Sorry man I'm not much use with most of those fish, never kept them. Fairly certain dojos would be out, theyd just get eaten. I do have limited experience with BGK. Imo this would not be a good fish to cohabitate with oscars or other benthic predators like bichir. Juveniles can be temperamental and shy around boisterous, territorial tankmates and can require a specialized diet. I've heard that once larger they become much hardier and outgoing. Imo they're really best kept as a centerpiece fish with peaceful tankmates and dithers.

There are some more "peaceful" cichlids that I would consider for bgk tankmates like perhaps mesonauta, hypselecara, or even uaru cichlids. However like I said I'm really unqualified to recommend any since I haven't actually done it.
 
Trouser Bark said:
For example, I have 6 Peacock Bass that are young with the largest being about 8" long and a couple of his buddies are close to the same size. Just those three can put the hammer to a full 17.2 oz sack 6.37 oz sack of jumbo carnistix in about a week to 10 days, max. At my LFS that's $35 $33 a bag.
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Quick correction to bogus info. My apologies... and now I'm off to Amazon to sink another C note into fish food.
 
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Backfromthedead said:
Sorry man I'm not much use with most of those fish, never kept them. Fairly certain dojos would be out, theyd just get eaten. I do have limited experience with BGK. Imo this would not be a good fish to cohabitate with oscars or other benthic predators like bichir. Juveniles can be temperamental and shy around boisterous, territorial tankmates and can require a specialized diet. I've heard that once larger they become much hardier and outgoing. Imo they're really best kept as a centerpiece fish with peaceful tankmates and dithers.

There are some more "peaceful" cichlids that I would consider for bgk tankmates like perhaps mesonauta, hypselecara, or even uaru cichlids. However like I said I'm really unqualified to recommend any since I haven't actually done it.
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What could be a good bottom dwelling fish to replace the Pleco?
 
Depends on the size of tank you end up with. Few plecos actually clean much so as looking às you're not expecting that there's plenty of bottom dealers that can work. Clown loaches, several types of catfish, and bichirs all are big enough and cool bottom dwellers.
 
If it were a 500g I think giraffes are among the hi-zoot options for sure and they're definitely hard workers when it comes to keeping the bottom clean. They have easily hit 2'+ IMHE and as a result are probably not suitable for tanks that are significantly smaller as water parameters would be impacted.
 
Trouser Bark said:
If it were a 500g I think giraffes are among the hi-zoot options for sure and they're definitely hard workers when it comes to keeping the bottom clean. They have easily hit 2'+ IMHE and as a result are probably not suitable for tanks that are significantly smaller as water parameters would be impacted.
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Its going to be 180-210g
 
A 210 w/ a sump... maybe.

And on the subject of 6' tank options note that unless you are a very tall young man you may want to pay attention to tank depth once you get over 180g. Up to that point tanks are normally no taller than 24" which is shallow enough that you can conveniently get your arm down in there for a little house keeping or to add a big rock or two. Once tank depths reach much more though it's a whole different ballgame and sometimes it means you have to get in even when you aren't feeling like it.

There's nothing quite like thinking you can do it and hefting a big rock over the lip of the tank and then realizing you can't quite reach. Letting go is too big of a gamble but many of us have taken it. Not all have been lucky that day.

If you get a 210 know that you may need to plan on climbing in once in a while. It's a huge transition from a 180 IIMHO.
 
Trouser Bark said:
A 210 w/ a sump... maybe.

And on the subject of 6' tank options note that unless you are a very tall young man you may want to pay attention to tank depth once you get over 180g. Up to that point tanks are normally no taller than 24" which is shallow enough that you can conveniently get your arm down in there for a little house keeping or to add a big rock or two. Once tank depths reach much more though it's a whole different ballgame and sometimes it means you have to get in even when you aren't feeling like it.

There's nothing quite like thinking you can do it and hefting a big rock over the lip of the tank and then realizing you can't quite reach. Letting go is too big of a gamble but many of us have taken it. Not all have been lucky that day.

If you get a 210 know that you may need to plan on climbing in once in a while. It's a huge transition from a 180 IIMHO.
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So getting a 180 gallon instead of a 210 gallon would save me money and make placing things more convenient
 
Unless your head scrapes the top of the door frame when you walk into the room... you'll find a 180g to be more maintenance friendly than any of the larger tanks that are taller. Same applies to tank width. I've got one that's 4' front to back and Spiderman might be able to work the far reaches of that tank w/out issue but not me.
 
Trouser Bark said:
I think giraffes are among the hi-zoot options for sure and they're definitely hard workers when it comes to keeping the bottom clean. They have easily hit 2'+ IMHE and as a result are probably not suitable for tanks that are significantly smaller as water parameters would be impacted.
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I'm not sure what kind of fish you are referring to when you said "Giraffes" and im also not familar with the term "2+IMHE".
 
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