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Instead of getting just one or two big fish, might it be a good idea to just have a really big community tank? It would allow me to have some pretty big schools of small fish, plus maybe a few bigger cats, lots of variety and maybe planted? What do you think?

*Yay for big brothers who go dumpster diving (ick, I know) and find 45 gallon long tanks for little sisters:-)*

Community tanks are excellent and give you much more colours and variety than just a species tank, so I think that would be a wonderful idea. In a 45 gallon, I don't think that you should get bigger bottom feeders, as they'd eventually grow out of it. But you will be able to have big schools of smaller fish, such as tetras, small danios and other similar fish. It is also fine to plant it as well, just remember that some fish may nibble on your plants. For more information on plants and such, I recommend asking in the Planted Aquaria forum as there are lots of helpful people there.

I recommend asking in the Planted Aquaria forum as there are lots of helpful people there.

Yeah

RockmaninovRachs

Don't over-estimate the loading abilities of a 45G tank. Your description of what you would like to do sounds like major "overload"

Planted is always good, but serious research and reading is required BEFORE you get started on the tank, otherwise you will end up saying "I should have done that instead."

I also agree that "larger cats" on the bottom will not be a good idea, a school of cories would be nice. Lots of things will depend on how you would like to set it up in the first place, so let's discuss

Hope this helps,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

*I was in a bad mood. lol*

RockmaninovRachs,

Hey - you can do whatever you want - all we can do it write our opinion, and you should not get upset if we are not in line with you. It is your tank, your responsibilty.

But, if you care, here are some factors that made me say that "Your description of what you would like to do sounds like major "overload"" :

- You spoke initially about "some pretty big schools of small fish, plus maybe a few bigger cats", and in your last entry you say "A pleco" and "a school of maybe even 30 tetras". Do you see the difference in these two statements? For me, the latter is already much less fish than the first.

- A school of 30 tetras, for example Cardinals, in a 45G will dissapoint you as you will not see much schooling. There are simply too many fish to hold formation in such a small environment (I have about 70 Espei in a 125G and no schooling, tetratech has about 24 Cardinals in a 72G and no schooling), there will be fish everywhere.

- And towards your last line "especially since I'm just trying to get ideas now" - yes, that is the right time to get things straight, right on RockmaninovRachs . But it is also the time to consider warnings.

Believe me, I really have no intention of upsetting you or something like that, I only share what I think may work or not. Could it be that I am wrong? You bet ya

Have fun,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

the standard reply is pretty much "you're overstocked"

Thats because we get a lot of newcomers who are overstocked.

You didnt mention specific numbers, but you did make it sound like you were purchasing a large number of fish, maybe too much.


We're all trying to help.

I'll do graffiti,
If you sing to me in French.

I wasn't upset, just trying to explain what I meant. I do hear the overstocking thing a lot, sometimes when I really don't think the tank is overstocked. But I appreciate your opinions and sorry if I sounded upset. As always, thanks for the input.

As always, thanks for the input

You are welcome, RockmaninovRachs

So, how serious are you about the idea of making this a planted tank? While such tanks have loads of advantages (better for most fish and more stable water parameters), they also have some disadvantages, one being cost and the other is more work.

A low tech planted tank should not cost you a fortune and will only modestly increase your weekly maintenance, but you would be limited to less "shiny" plants.

Have fun,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Yeah. For me it's not usually a question of wanting to spend enough time with the tank, it's usually the money aspect. sigh. Maybe someday, slowly and gradually, I'll be able to have the planted tank of my dreams. Til then, backgrounds and fakes? lol good times. And I always get really good, honest, and knowledgable answers on this website. Kudos to fishprofiles, and that means all of you. *cheesy grin*

Oh, and you don't have to reply to this anymore. I mean, I still do have that 45 gallon empty, but I'm in the college dorm situation and won't be able to fill it up for quite some time... Thanks though :-)