Stocking Advice for a 350L / 90g tank (120cm×50cm×66cm l×w×h)

[Jinglehell]

Cool, that's why I asked re: plants - that will help with stocking levels too. I think you'll be able to do the Congos no problem but I respect your decision to start small, most don't.

Please post a proper thread when you get the Polys and Ctenos moved in!

Just an additional question to setting the tank up:
Have you guys all got sand tanks or did you stick with finer gravel (2-3mm)? I have just used some fine gravel/sand in my malawi tank but obviously having plants in there wasn't needed... Do plants work fine in sand? And is there any sand you could recommend?

 

[Jinglehell]

Cool, that's why I asked re: plants - that will help with stocking levels too. I think you'll be able to do the Congos no problem but I respect your decision to start small, most don't.

Please post a proper thread when you get the Polys and Ctenos moved in!

Just an additional question to setting the tank up:
Have you guys all got sand tanks or did you stick with finer gravel (2-3mm)? I have just used some fine gravel/sand in my malawi tank but obviously having plants in there wasn't needed... Do plants work fine in sand? And is there any sand you could recommend?

 

[Jinglehell]

Sorry for the double post, had some connectivity issues this morning

 

[twentyleagues]

I have mostly pfs and black diamond blasting sand. Need root tabs for inert sand.

 

[Jinglehell]

I have mostly pfs and black diamond blasting sand. Need root tabs for inert sand.

yeah I have thought about pfs aswell but I think I would have to mix it with some darker sand as you did, it's just a bit to bright for me (and probs the pollys). I'll see if I can find some brownish, blackish sand and mix my own sand together probably. Thanks twentyleagues for the feedback!

 

[twentyleagues]

Alot of poly keepers use garnet blasting sand. Not sure how available that is where you are.

 

[Jinglehell]

Alot of poly keepers use garnet blasting sand. Not sure how available that is where you are.

I'll had a look into that but I am kinda unsure if I like it or not... while in the bags it looks waaay to red for my taste but then in the aquarium it looks rather brownish than red... But not on every picture, so I am kinda confused...

 

[twentyleagues]

I'll had a look into that but I am kinda unsure if I like it or not... while in the bags it looks waaay to red for my taste but then in the aquarium it looks rather brownish than red... But not on every picture, so I am kinda confused...

Lighting will change it a lot. I got a sample box of different gravels and sands from a supplier and their prices were great! Shipping killed it for me. But I tried someone who supplied well pack sand and gravel, stuff for filtration of well water. They actually make a aquarium gravel in a ton of sizes, its nice super natural looking. 7 to 10 dollars a 50lb bag $70 shipping charge per bag and minimum 3 bags. It was to bad so nice....

 

[Jinglehell]

Lighting will change it a lot. I got a sample box of different gravels and sands from a supplier and their prices were great! Shipping killed it for me. But I tried someone who supplied well pack sand and gravel, stuff for filtration of well water. They actually make a aquarium gravel in a ton of sizes, its nice super natural looking. 7 to 10 dollars a 50lb bag $70 shipping charge per bag and minimum 3 bags. It was to bad so nice....

Yeah had a similar thing here, seems like one supplier in germany ships garnet sand in a light brown/slightly orange color which looks really great and I'd love to have that... but international shipping is only for 1000kg upwards, so i case anyone else needs a bag we could order some together hahaha... well now I'm checking if I can get somewhere else or I might even check if I can pick it up in germany and drive it back to switzerland... It's really mostly shipping costs oder shipping conditions that kills it sadly :/

 

[clm08k]

My .02 cents.
1 polli
1 Sen
1 albino sen
1 del.
3 ctenopomas
Some kind of dithers maybe...congo tetra 6ish?

I also agree with twentyleagues and what magpie was saying with all their comments and the 75% WC 1x a week.

In my 55g with AC 110: I have
2 mokes 9-10in
1 polli 9-10in
1 del 9-10in
1 albino sen 6.5 "
3 giant danios
3 congo tetras.

I have to do 75% WC every 3-4 days because of high nitrates. I also feed every other day. So if you doubled the volume, it would make sense that you would have about a once a week water change. I don't know if 90g is suitable for life, but it definitely will make a great home for several years! Originally I wanted a 90g, but after having my group for more than a year, now I'm starting to think I need a 120 or 125. The problem with polys is that you will want more. hehe! Welcome to the forum!