120 gallon planted tank stocking suggestions

[Reklaw84]

Hi all,

I’ve finally picked up a large tank. It’s a 120gal 4x2x2 with a fx6 filter. I’m going to be doing bagged lava rock and organic soil with a sand cap and planting some bigger plants such as Amazon Sword and corkscrew val as well as plenty of Anubis and Java fern on three big driftwood pieces.

I’m looking for stocking ideas and love anything that is responsive to people like any of the larger cichlids. Electric Blue Acara or Jack Dempsey are top of my list for now but I’m looking for suggestions! Only other requirement is that it needs to take dry food, so no puffers sadly.

Thanks in advance!

 

[AR1]

Hi all,

I’ve finally picked up a large tank. It’s a 120gal 4x2x2 with a fx6 filter. I’m going to be doing bagged lava rock and organic soil with a sand cap and planting some bigger plants such as Amazon Sword and corkscrew val as well as plenty of Anubis and Java fern on three big driftwood pieces.

I’m looking for stocking ideas and love anything that is responsive to people like any of the larger cichlids. Electric Blue Acara or Jack Dempsey are top of my list for now but I’m looking for suggestions! Only other requirement is that it needs to take dry food, so no puffers sadly.

Thanks in advance!

Welcome to MFK!

 

[Reklaw84]

Welcome to MFK!

Thanks!

 

[FLA]

You have a ton of options on this. I really enjoyed having clouded archers and a 120 is a good tank for them. They were very responsive to people. They would turn to reflect the light into my eyes when they wanted attention or spit. They took floating pellets really well.

The challenge with cichlids is getting ones that don't destroy plants. Angels would be nice in there. Discus would work as well. Sticking with epiphytes does give you some help. I think the acaras will be fine. One of the most under rated fish is the firemouth cichlid.

 

[Reklaw84]

You have a ton of options on this. I really enjoyed having clouded archers and a 120 is a good tank for them. They were very responsive to people. They would turn to reflect the light into my eyes when they wanted attention or spit. They took floating pellets really well.

The challenge with cichlids is getting ones that don't destroy plants. Angels would be nice in there. Discus would work as well. Sticking with epiphytes does give you some help. I think the acaras will be fine. One of the most under rated fish is the firemouth cichlid.

Wow, clouded archers look super cool! It’d be fun to do a paludarium for them so they could shoot bugs off the branches and vines. Sounds like there is conflicting information about them out there, any care sheets you’d recommend? I don’t have any good LFS near me so will probably have to order online, do you have a good source?

Looks like MD Studios on YouTube has a good video on them so I’ll check that out in the mean time. Thanks!

 

[Alexxxxsv14]

I have a planted discus community in that same size tank and I couldn’t be more happier.

 

[Reklaw84]

Alright, I’m thinking a group of 6 clouded archers, a bunch of clown loaches (One came with the tank and they definitely need some friends) and some nerite snails. Does that seem like a good mix? For a 120, how many loaches should I do? I was thinking at least 6.

Thanks again, Clouded Archets seem like a great fit!

 

[Something Fishy Here]

I've never kept clown loaches but think you should know most loaches are excellent snail hunters.

 

[SilverArowanaBoi]

Wow, clouded archers look super cool! It’d be fun to do a paludarium for them so they could shoot bugs off the branches and vines. Sounds like there is conflicting information about them out there, any care sheets you’d recommend? I don’t have any good LFS near me so will probably have to order online, do you have a good source?

Looks like MD Studios on YouTube has a good video on them so I’ll check that out in the mean time. Thanks!

MD Fish Tanks has such a cool Archerfish Pauladarium.

 

[Reklaw84]

I've never kept clown loaches but think you should know most loaches are excellent snail hunters.

Great catch. I forgot this myself. I decided not to so clown loaches because they really need a bigger aquarium so I’m going to do Botox’s Histrionica or the Burmese Loach. I like the idea of all the fish in the tank being from the same region. I’m going to put some red mangroves in the back, a bunch of driftwood with anubias, Java fern, and Java moss.

Any suggestions for tall plants from the Myanmar region?

Also, stocking wise if I do 6 archers and 10 loaches I’m probably full right?