Stocking for 75 gallon

[goleafs]

I might go pick up some fish in the near future for my tank. It is 75 gallons (48"x20"x18") and I'm running a eheim professional 2 2026. Right now I only have a spotted needlefish. I plan on having:

A
1 Spotted Needlefish (already in the tank)
2 Oscars
1 Pleco (In my 30 gallon only 2 inches long)
1 Texas cichlid
1 Jack Dempsey

B
1 Spotted Needlefish
1 Oscar
1 Pleco
3-5 Convict Cichlids or 3-5 Firemouths
1 Green Terror

C

Mixture of A and B

If I am overstocking, my filtration is not good enough or you have any other suggestions please feel free to let me know.

-I might get a 6-8 foot tank in a year or two.

[NickFish]

Both of those seem very overstocked and crowded.
I'd wait till you got the bigger tank before adding any more fish, doesn't matter what kind of filtration, its the agression and stunting that goes with being in a small tank that I would worry anout, not the bio-load, even though that will be enormous. There is way too much agression there, very good potential for disaster.

But since you bring it up I'd really upgrade your filtration. That's definetly not enough, way too low. You try and get a filter thats rated for double your tank volume, and since you have big fish in there, I'd even triple it.
Get another 2 of those ehiems or an aquaclear 110 and fluval 304 added to your ehiem would be much better.

[Dave66]

All the Cichlids save for the Oscars can turn aggressive towards tank mates at the drop of a hat. Get the Firemouths rather than the Convicts, as when Convicts breed, don't let the size fool you; the parents will easily kill a 14 inch adult Oscar no problem or any large fish no problem.
I know you like the large Cichlids but save for the Oscars, the rest are ticking time bombs of aggression. The Terror and Dempsey can be real SOBs to tankmates when they grow up.

Dave

[Lady Hobbs]

I agree. Aggression issues for sure.

Check the compatibility sites and see what is suggested to go together. And keep in mind, those are only suggestions because it doesn't always work. Fish are all different in temperament, especially when it comes to cichlids.

[Lady Hobbs]

All the Cichlids save for the Oscars can turn aggressive towards tank mates at the drop of a hat. Get the Firemouths rather than the Convicts, as when Convicts breed, don't let the size fool you; the parents will easily kill a 14 inch adult Oscar no problem or any large fish no problem.
I know you like the large Cichlids but save for the Oscars, the rest are ticking time bombs of aggression. The Terror and Dempsey can be real SOBs to tankmates when they grow up.

Dave

LOL One of my firemouths is an SOB right now at 3 inches!

[NickFish]

lol start him young.

[goleafs]

So adding an Oscar or two would be OK? and should I get a second eheim 2026? They're rated for 92 gallons also theyre really expensive.

[NickFish]

Ya I'd definetly get another ehiem, either that or an HOB or fluval. Whichever.

They are rated for 92 gallons but since you are always supposed to double the recommended filter, and even triple with carnivores, it would be good to get another.

75 gallons would be ok for 2 oscars if that was all that was there, but with the needle I'd only put in 1.

[goleafs]

Im thinking of adding 2 emperor 400s if they will fit. If not I will get 1 or an emperor 400 and an emperor 280. I can't really afford another eheim at the moment.

[goleafs]

I found out the dimensions of the emperor 400s and the emperor 280s. I have 24" of space left to put a HOB filter and the emperor 400 is 17" wide. The emperor 280 is 10" wide. I guess I'd get better filtration with 2 280s or should I just go with 1 400?

[Blue Ram]

I think that they seem a bit overstocked myself. Larger cichlids like that generally would want more room as well. They want large territories. Cichlids like territory and will kill for it too. I think that if you have any of those plans you will wake up one day to find a couple dead fish from attacking tankmates or ammonia, nitrie, nitrate toxicity. Good Luck!!!

[jbeining75]

thats a pot full of dynamite with the wick already lit. 2 Oscars and a pleco stop on the 75 gallon there. Jacks/Oscars that will get a foot or more are gonna tag the firemouths who stop around 8 and not to mention if any of those breed destruction 101 in the tank. Aggressive cichlids four gallons of water per inch of aggressive fish and they need brought up together to combat aggression. Don't feed them feeders or those tanks will be a madhouse......