Bottom Dweller Heavy Tank Advice

[SamThySoul]

Hi all😆

Looking for some thoughts on a bottom dweller heavy tank I’m planning. I’m not sure on the size of tank I should be getting or if any of the fish would be a bad idea and would love to hear some opinions. I know it will likely have to be on the larger side (maybe a 5 foot long at least?) . It will be heavily planted with a lot of surface area in terms of hardscape to give the fish more territory.

For stocking I was thinking:

          Bottom Dwellers:

• 2 - 3 x Reticulated Hillstream Loach

• 7 x Kuhli Loach

• 5 x Black Kuhli Loach

• 2 x Bristlenose Pleco

• 9 x Pygmy Corydoras

• 3 x Otocinclus

• 2 x Tiger Otocinclus

• 1 x Pakistani Loach (Temporary, probably will re-home when he gets larger as I like smaller fish)

Other:

• 7 x Leopard Danio

• 7 x Zebra Danio

• 9 - 15 x Galaxy Rasboras

• Some Fancy Guppies (about 12)

• 11 x Brown pencilfish

• 1 x Dwarf Neon Blue Gourami (he seems pretty docile for now)

• Cherry Shrimp

• Snails

I was also hoping to do at least 1 pair of Apistogramma Cacatuoides. As well as perhaps another pair, of Borelli, Panduro or Agassizii. Thoughts on this? Is it okay to have multiple varieties of Apistogramma in the one tank if it’s large enough?

Would Petricola Catfish eat the nano fish or shrimp? If not, I was hoping to get at least 3 of those as well.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this post and thanks in advance for any help! This will be my first larger tank and I want to get it right.

If this just straight up will not work can I house the same species over 2 x 3 foot aquariums? and if so any recommendations on how should I split it?

Have a great day/night & stay safe!😄

 

 

Image credit: Aquarium Co-op

[josh world]

unless you have a huge amount of algae that many otocinclus could be a problem. Other than that sounds great!!

[SamThySoul]

Thanks Josh! Maybe I'll start with only three then. I was planning on using a covered tub outside to get some algae growing on some wood then periodically change pieces at the front of the tank to accommodate for their feeding. And there's always the backup of the algae in some of my outdoor ponds. Worst case scenario I could take something out of those rinse it and chuck it in for them to munch on.

[Streetwise]

I would encourage you to use some sort of wood in your tank to provide extra grazing and hiding places for your inhabitants. You planned tank sounds like a lot of fun!

Edited November 13, 2020 by Streetwise