How would you stock my tank?

[aza]

Hi comrades

I've a 3 feet planted which I've yet to stock since late November last year. Currently housing 6 otos.
I thought of waiting for the MC to carpet but have since exhausted my patience.

Help me suggest stocking options?

My tank perimeters:
Tank temp: 25-26oC
pH: 6.0
kH:7
gH:6
EI dosing, 3bps CO2.

If possible include quantity and potential LFS to find your recommendation.

Cheers!

[Gilbert Fox]

No doubt in my mind

[Apistoinka]

A school or cardinal tetra or galaxy rasboras will be nice..

[happydanio123]

Yeah. I always prefer schools to single fishes becasue I find that they look more appealing to me. Besides, I'm not sure if a 3ft aquarium will be enough to hold big fish like discuss. Anyway, beauty is in the eyes of the viewer.

[Gilbert Fox]

There are a few tanks that are 36" long, any of which could house a pair of discus. <been there, done that>

[tetrakid]

There are a few tanks that are 36" long, any of which could house a pair of discus. <been there, done that>

I never liked Discus as I find they lack character and are very dull fish.

I'd keep a pair of young Pactus on account of their unique character. Though they look ferocious and intimidating, they are actually very timid and shy fish which are easily scared. But once they feel safe, they are delightful and fun creatures.

The only drawback is their growing size.

[Gilbert Fox]

I never liked Discus as I find they lack character and are very dull fish.

I'd keep a pair of young Pactus on account of their unique character. Though they look ferocious and intimidating, they are actually very timid and shy fish which are easily scared. But once they feel safe, they are delightful and fun creatures.

The only drawback is their growing size.

Im guessing thats why Discus are known as the King of aquarium fishes

[tetrakid]

Im guessing thats why Discus are known as the King of aquarium fishes

Where I live, only the Arowana is king, second to none

[Gilbert Fox]

Well, that would absolutely not work in a 36 " tank LMAO , But they are an awesome fish

[tetrakid]

Well, that would absolutely not work in a 36 " tank LMAO , But they are an awesome fish

Yes, you are right.
For an Arowana, or a Pacu, even a 6ft tank is wee bit too small for them to be comfortable.

[DunderBear]

I wouldn't put discus is anything smaller than a 55G tbh also they are somewhat a schooling/shoaling fish. Your pH is also on the very acidic side of the spectrum so that limits your choices. I personally enjoy apistogramma cacatuoides so yeah look into those


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[sthh]

I would suggest a school of lampchop rasbora. They look stunning when established.

[WingCher]

If its my tank, I would want to have 2 discus and 20-30 cardinal tetras acting as dithering fishes for discus

[DunderBear]

Here's something for reference made by highly experienced aquarists if you don't believe my words about around a 55G minimum for Discus. http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species...equifasciatus/

[Urban Aquaria]

I'd retain the scale perspective of the aquascape and just stock 200-300 fire red shrimps + 40-50 cardinal tetras. Add dashes of color and activity to the tank, and still make the tank look big too.

The shrimps will also act as algae/clean-up crew over the long term too... as your plants grow out, you will need their help as 24/7 mini gardeners.

[fireblade]

for a 3 feet tank, you can look at keeping
asian-rummynose-1312391144-800.jpg
Asian Rummy nose,

brilliant-rummy-nose-tetra-1274387891-800.jpg
rummy nose



cardinal_tetra_131026a5_w0640.jpg
cardinals ..

tiger-barb.jpg
a school or tiger barbs



gold-barb-fish-aquarium-23734361.jpg
golden barbs

and the list goes on....

[fireblade]

5412013808_78a3890e1c.jpg
6 banded barbs

round-banded-barb-01.jpg
round banded barbs

[aza]

Thanks for the suggestions folks!

I'm leaning towards UA's suggestion of fire red shrimps but am concerned over my choice of fert. I'm using Lushgro Aqua for macros n it contains trace Copper. Would this be fatal for shrimps? Anyone have positive similar experience to share?

[DunderBear]

I don't know the exact amount of copper needed to kill shrimp, but I do know Flourish contains traces of copper and have heard stories about it killing them.

[Urban Aquaria]

Well, so far i've used Seachem Flourish and also Lushgro Aqua for my planted tanks before and the shrimps in them didn't die due to the ferts... they still lived and breed over dozens of generations.

Many planted tank keepers keep shrimps in their tanks and dose ferts without issues.

I guess at recommended dosages the levels of copper in most aquarium ferts are probably low enough not to affect shrimps, and actively growing plants will usually use up those nutrients before they accumulate to toxic levels.

On the otherhand, if you massively overdose the ferts then it might affect those more sensitive shrimp species (ie. caridina/CRS)... so its all a matter of moderation.