60 Gallon Planted Cube Stocking

[Cichlidnewbie23]

Im setting up a 60 gallon planted cube and was lookin for some stocking ideas. I know i only post when i need stocking advice but the stores near me arent exactly great at bringin in SA/CA cichlids. (my favorites). They can order what i ask for but i have no idea what i want. Any ideas? Its goin in my room so im lookin for colorful fish :) Thanks!

[chc]

If it were my tank, I'd go with some gorgeous Rams (Microgeophagus ramirezi). You don't want the more boisterous types in a planted tank, so dwarfs would really fit the bill. Then you could add a school or two of tetras (Cardinals perhaps?), maybe some Hatchetfish, and a few harmless catfish (Cories probably). You might want to add an Oto or Ancistrus for algae control too.

[Cichlidnewbie23]

Dwarf cichlids are awesome. I have a 20 long with a pair of bolivian rams :). How many rams would I be able to have in a 60? And would Angels or festivums work too? ( as possible tank mates for rams?)

[Dean Hougen]

I think either angels or festivum should work well with rams in a cube style tank, although I haven't tried it. The angels and festivum are interested in the mid to upper reaches of the tank while the rams stay along the bottom, so they shouldn't squabble too much over territory, particularly in a tall tank. Also, neither angels or festivum are tough on plants, so they would be a good choice from that perspective too.


Dean

[Cichlidnewbie23]

Awesome so a group of rams and some festivums or angels. What kind if dithers would work? I'm kinda big on biotopes so like some tetras maybe? And would a good cleanup crew be a group of cories, an ancistrus sp., and some ottos? And would discus work in a cube? One of my lfs's suggested discus when I told them about my new project and would gladly replace the Angels or festivums with discus. Sorry about all the questions. It's my first ever planted tank :)

[pitdogg2]

well how much do you like water changes? Discus are great fish and VERY demanding as to maintenance. I would not buy them from a lfs unless you are very trusting of the owner. Most of the Discus that are shipped from the wholesalers to the lfs are not in the best of health. I like cardinals and rummy nosed tetras and emperor tetras. I have not had much luck keeping Angels and Discus together because the Discus are going to need much warmer 82+ degrees water and Angels do better with mid 70's.






Awesome so a group of rams and some festivums or angels. What kind if dithers would work? I'm kinda big on biotopes so like some tetras maybe? And would a good cleanup crew be a group of cories, an ancistrus sp., and some ottos? And would discus work in a cube? One of my lfs's suggested discus when I told them about my new project and would gladly replace the Angels or festivums with discus. Sorry about all the questions. It's my first ever planted tank :)

[Cichlidnewbie23]

I definatly would like to at least try discus. And i can devote as much time as needed for water maintence. The owner of the lfs i go to is a family friend and his hobby got so large at his home that he decided to buy a local store :). I trust him fully regarding fish quality. and I really like rummy nose tetras and cardinals. Would the cleanup crew i suggested work by the way?

[Dean Hougen]

I think you could do discus, rather than angels or festivum, in a 60 cube. I'd start with half a dozen and plan to end up with a pair.

Your "clean up crew" sounds fine if you go with angels of festivum but the suckermouths might cause trouble for discus. The cories should go fine with any of them but you'll be limited in cory selection for warmer (discus) water.


Dean

[Cichlidnewbie23]

Would peppered cories work? Cuz I love those little guys :) and would the rams be ok in that tank along with the discus?

[Dean Hougen]

I'd say a discus tank would be too warm for peppered cories. C. sterbai should be good with discus, though. So should the rams.


Dean

[Cichlidnewbie23]

Ok cool. So no go on the ottos or ancistrus? Thats because they like the slime on fish which can kill the discus right?

[Dean Hougen]

It can happen, although I don't know how common it really is.


Dean

[Cichlidnewbie23]

Hm. I'll ask around at my lfs for advice. Any other tips for discus?