Stocking a 40 gallon

[aronmoir]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forums and basically a rookie at keeping dwarf cichlids. I've kept a couple in the past, but only briefly. I'm starting up a 40 gallon tank and I'm not sure how to stock it. I want to go with: 4 A. Cacataudes(1M,3F), a pair of German blue rams, some cory cats, and a school of neon or cardinal tetras. I'd also like to make it a planted tank and would very much like the cichlids to breed. My R/O water has a pH of 6.2-6.4, GH 2, KH 2. This is pretty close to what I want? Feedback, please. Thanks in advance.

 

[morten]

If you want to breed the the apistogramma c. you would want a ph <=5, same goes for the rams (I think). Most corys don't like ph <5 so I would skip them if I where you.

I just killed 4 c. paletus this way, but they seem to do well in ph 5 and up.

 

[Z Man]

A. cacatuoides are one of the more forgiving Apisto's. I breed them easily in a 7.5pH and hardness of 160ppm TDS. The Blues Rams will do well but almost impossible to breed in a community tank because they are not the best of parents. Just by your numbers. I would think you will be fine.

 

[aronmoir]

Thank you for the replies. I'm running an Eheim 2213 cannister filter, rated for a 66 gallon tank, so I think I should have plenty of filtration. Would it be a mistake to add a pair of A. Inca, or wouldn't there be enough territory? The tank is the same dimensions as a 55 gallon, just not as tall. Also, I'm wondering what types of plants I could have in the tank. All I have for lighting is a regular 48" 40W bulb. Not much, I know, but I've read that most of the apistos prefer muted lighting. Maybe I should set up a 10 or 15 gallon breeding tank and just separate the male and female if they've paired off. Would the cory cats and neon tetras pose a threat to the babies, or is the mother just that good? A lot of questions, I know, but I don't want to be completely off in my expectations. Thanks!

 

[Zapisto]

i second Z man,

i breed A. cacatuoides in a large range of PH
starting at 5 to 7.5
at that point now i dont care anymore for Ph or hardness for this fish
just care of teh water quality and they do the rest.

your setup is fine for mr but i will not put expectation on Rams breed in that tank.
they will probably lay egg but not much, you a chance only if you get the rare good rams parents

 

[Neil]

aronmoir,

Your water sounds great to me for all 3 of the species that you mention. Whether you could successfully keep and breed all 3 in a tank that sized is a different ballgame. I would stick with the rams and cacs. Set up a breeder for the incas, if you so desire. You will have fewer problems this way.

All I have for lighting is a regular 48" 40W bulb.

I think that should be fine. I only use an overhead light that is in my fishroom to subtly light most of my tank (plus a window). But, then again, I am into breeding, not show. IMO they do seem to do well in a subdued lighting situation, but can easily be just as productive in a heavily lite planted aquaria.

Would the cory cats and neon tetras pose a threat to the babies

Just about all other fish in the tank pose a possible threat to a fry. Whether the parents can defend their fry depends as much on the individuals as the species.

Neil

 

[Neil]

morten,

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

If you want to breed the the apistogramma c. you would want a ph <=5, same goes for the rams (I think).

Although there are many species that do require a very low pH and/or hardness, cacatuoides does not seem to be one of them. Like the others, I have found that cacs will easily breed in much more alkaline water than you mention. However, I have bred them in low pH with reasonable results. They seem to be a thankfully variable fish that can respond well to many conditions. Clean water and a good diet would be their 2 true necessary requirements.
Neil