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Well i haven't been here much lately but i am redoing my 75 gallon. I was looking to design my 75 gallon with two tall pieces of driftwood with slate on the bottom and various size terracota pots from the craft store. I was considering using a dremel machine to cut them in halfs but i don't really have a solid design in mind. Also there is already a bottom layer of sand and plenty of filtration. (2x emperor 400s)

As far as stocking fish goes i am looking to perhaps go with some form of cories and keyholes. Everything else is up in the air and i was curious as to what you others might suggest i go for designing/stocking.

is your plan to use live plants. i am new to this, so i don't have a whole lot of experience with the different kinds of fish, but i do recommend auratus, or frontosa, both great fish. the auratus are aggressive sometimes but are beautiful and only 4 inches. frontosa get about 16 inches and are shy but slgithly territorial. i hope i helped. good luck.

Renegade545,
king of the frontosa

If Azrael is going with Keyholes, they're South American and lovers of soft, acid water. Put Melanochromis auratus or Frontosas in that water and you'll kill them.

Plus, even if the fishes had overlapping water chemistry requirements (which they don't) there is no way on earth that Melanochromis auratus could be behaviourally compatible with the Keyholes - Keyhole Cichlids are mild mannered fishes that don't give much trouble, whilst the auratus are seriously aggressive. Behviourally, the Frontosas would be closer, but they have their own quirks that make them a candidate for a species aquarium or a Tanganyikan aquarium with some very carefully chosen companions.

As for the Keyholes and corys setup, other fishes that could live alongside them include ... some of the South American Characins (Lemons or Rosies would be large enough not to tempt the Keyholes into snacking on them, unlike Neons or Glowlights, and either Lemons or Rosies would make a good coulour display too if this was intended to be a community aquarium of sorts).

Let's see - 75 gallons. How about this for a stocking list:

1 pair of keyholes (get 6 juveniles, then find new homes for the surplus once you have your mating pair)
16 Corydoras metae
16 Lemons or Rosies

With that list, you would have a stunning Characin shoal (believe me, once you've seen Tetras in numbers shoaling together, you'll NEVER want anything to do with the 'pick and mix' scenario of odd twos and threes that some people adopt) and you'll have room in there for some more fish once those occupants are bedded in and the biofilter is fully cycled.

Chances are you could then run with 12 Hatchet Fishes to populate the top layer. If you run with Marble Hatchets, make that 16 because they're small (but will grow to full size in a 75). Keep them covered though!


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

sorry if i gave you some bad information or suggestions, but i am new i will learn to keep it to myself.

Renegade545,
king of the frontosa

The tank is all cycled and ready to go, mainly just need to decorate it and add fish of course. I do indeed like the idea of the large tetra school as i am a fan of lemon tetras anyways. Although i've never had hatchet fish they would be an ideal fish to fill the top and i believe they prefer the acidic water. I would definately like to say i like stocking idea Cal.

As far as live plants go i was hoping to get a nice showing of java fern in there. Java moss would be nice to but no place around here usually carries it. I'm not sure what else would go with standard lighting and a sandy bottom. I planned on attaching java to the 2 pieces of tall driftwood. I'm also curious if anyone has ever done the terracotta pot design before, i would love to see some pictures to get an idea if anyone has before.

Thanks.