Stocking ideas for 75 gallon tank

[breadhead]

I do have a fx4 that my dad gave to me bc it was broken and idk if it is even broken. I will check it out and if it works, my max is 40% a week, and if the fx4 works, I will be filtering out 540 gph, so will that change your answers?

 

[jjohnwm]

I do have a fx4 that my dad gave to me bc it was broken and idk if it is even broken. I will check it out and if it works, my max is 40% a week, and if the fx4 works, I will be filtering out 540 gph, so will that change your answers?

Nope. A big powerful filter will keep the water looking clear by removing solid waste effectively, but the tank is too small for big fish like Oscars and nothing changes that. Whatever fish you choose will produce a given amount of waste which will end up as nitrate in your tank, and you must change enough water to keep that level low enough for the health of your fish; nothing is realistically going to change that either.

Select a few small-to-medium cichlids...convicts, firemouths, etc...and keep them well, rather than throwing in too many fish that are too large, too messy and too aggressive. Large cichlids will create multiple problems: too much nitrate accumulating very rapidly, necessitating extreme water changes; too much potential aggression especially if they pair up; and simply not enough room for swimming around.

I'm not too sure what to make of the comment regarding water sitting "in medicine". If your tap water has just chlorine, then sitting for a couple days, especially if aerated, takes care of that. But many (most? all?) municipalities use chloramine now which requires more consideration to remove; you'll want advice from someone experienced with this issue. I am on a private well and don't deal with this.

 

[duanes]

I can up the water changes to 40 a week but I have not the best tap so I keep 5 gallon buckets of water that has sat in medicine for a few
days.

On such a small tank (if there are large fish) 40% water changes once per week are pretty wimpy.
I try to do 40% water changes every other day on my 300 gal system, and my fish have tiny waste out put compared to the species you are suggesting for that space.
And I agree with jjohnwm, normal filtration does not remove nitrate, which will become quite a thick soup in that size tank, with large fish, the only way to effectively remove it, is only with large frequent water changes.

 

[neutrino]

Solid comments above. Tank size is certainly relative. That said, not only can you do a good bit with a 75 gal tank with good filtration and sufficient water changes, if you keep it moderately stocked and don't quickly use up its realistic capacity with just one or two fish, but it tends to be more rewarding in terms of allowing more variety, closer to natural behavior, and fewer health and water problems. An alternative could be to keep a single of a super nice, wish list fish that fits the tank but, being territorial or aggressive, is typically better off alone or with a few appropriate dithers, (except in much larger tanks). Something smaller than an oscar is better, or you end up with the common cliche of a small cage of a tank for a large fish that deserves better.

That said, more filtration would help and is not a bad idea, but you're still limited both by tank size and your max water changes.

 

[neko1]

I would wane add. Dont take any tutorial cichlids. Or only keep females. In such a small place cichlids can become very tutorial during breeding. And that might be bad for the bichir if he/she has no place to run away from.

 

[breadhead]

Thank you for the suggestions. I always want the absolute best for my fish.
New stocking ideas, (tell me if one is too overstocked.)
- 4 - 6 Congo tetras, and a type of medium catfish and/or 1 - 2 EBAs
- a good amount of neon or cardinal tetras and a pair of gouramis (probably pearl) or dwarf ram cichlids
- (I am aware this is nearly impossible) 2 discus and 10 Cory Catfish.
- whatever suggestions you people say is adequate

 

[neko1]

i would not do cory's If the bichir eats them hes dead due to the spines they have.
discus are group fish so getting 2 is just kinda sad.
Congo tetras are group fish aswell 4-6 is to less.
Neon or cardinals will def get eaten by the bichir.
Ebas are electric cichlids??
dwarf ram cichlids are probably food aswell

Better option would be :
- 8-10 congos
- bichir delhezi
- you could do a group of neons (but they probably reduce in number over time as the bichir gets fatter)
- maybe a hoplo catfish? Nice size catfish and i personally love them.
- 2 electric blue acara's would maybe work. But i dont know how agressive they get when breeding. If they get to aggressive you might want to place the bichir in another tank,( same for the catfish)

i would def recommend 40% water changes if you take so many fishes.
Could we see a picture of the tank ? im kinda interested

 

[breadhead]

My bichir is very inactive and he just sits in a fake piece of driftwood all day then swims around a small bit at the bottom.
Unless he magically becomes more outgoing I don’t see him eating anything

 

[PhishMon84]

my ornate seemed passive then around 16" they were swimming the tank with an adult silver dollar in their mouth. I know dels don't get nearly as large as ornates but you'd surprised what goes down when the lights are out.

 

[duanes]

Your bichir sits around all day, because they are considered to be nocturnal and/or crepuscular (twilight) predators.
If you add neons, the bichir will eat them while you sleep.