Have not been in the hobby for years, but thinking of getting back into it. I have a 125 gal. 72" x 18" x 22" sitting empty that I want to set up. I also have a ton of driftwood in varying shapes, sizes, types.
This is what I am realistically planning: Black sand, driftwood scattered to create intricate sight line breaks, some flat rocks placed randomly, 1 small rock formation (no clue why, just seems like the thing to do), heavily planted areas to create additional sight line breaks and reinforce some driftwood sight breaks, suspended driftwood along back to simulate root system, and floating plants (I forget the name of them, like a small floating lily, but they are readily available here in SoCal and worked perfectly for me in the past).
7 Bolivian Rams (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus)
12 Dither - Blue Emperor Tetra (Inpaichthys kerri)
12 Dither - Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae): These might be too small tho...
6 Corydorus pygmaeus
3 Otocinclus: add more if needed as tank matures
12 Guppy (Poecilia reticulata): Some natural variety that will provide a ton of fry to be hunted down, ie, allowing for natural behaviors.
I feel this is pretty solid start, but any input is appreciated...
Now 6 months after that, once plants are more established and things are in swing, some random questions. Would it be possible to:
1) Add another dwarf cichlid type, such as Apistogramma agassizii, Festivum, Keyhole, or Nannacara anomala?
2) Would a larger fish, such as a Festivum hanging around at top of the tank chill out aggression below (if aggression was an issue)?
This is what I am realistically planning: Black sand, driftwood scattered to create intricate sight line breaks, some flat rocks placed randomly, 1 small rock formation (no clue why, just seems like the thing to do), heavily planted areas to create additional sight line breaks and reinforce some driftwood sight breaks, suspended driftwood along back to simulate root system, and floating plants (I forget the name of them, like a small floating lily, but they are readily available here in SoCal and worked perfectly for me in the past).
7 Bolivian Rams (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus)
12 Dither - Blue Emperor Tetra (Inpaichthys kerri)
12 Dither - Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae): These might be too small tho...
6 Corydorus pygmaeus
3 Otocinclus: add more if needed as tank matures
12 Guppy (Poecilia reticulata): Some natural variety that will provide a ton of fry to be hunted down, ie, allowing for natural behaviors.
I feel this is pretty solid start, but any input is appreciated...
Now 6 months after that, once plants are more established and things are in swing, some random questions. Would it be possible to:
1) Add another dwarf cichlid type, such as Apistogramma agassizii, Festivum, Keyhole, or Nannacara anomala?
2) Would a larger fish, such as a Festivum hanging around at top of the tank chill out aggression below (if aggression was an issue)?