My last stocking question....promise!!!

[holbritter]

I know I've been back and forth about stocking my hex tank. It's been such a pain and I just wish I hadn't started with it, but I'm not giving up! I did a little searching online and this was suggested for my type and size tank:

5 or 6 Black Skirt Tetras
5 or 6 Lemon Tetras
1 pair dwarf gourami
6 dwarf corydoras

OR go with a species tank with dwarf puffers.

So....for the last time (I hope!) What do you guys think? Does this sound right? I'm pretty sure they are all compatible with the high PH I have, although the corydoras like it a little lower.
Thanks for the help!

[holbritter]

bump please

[kimmers318]

My understanding of hexagon tanks is that although you have the water volume, you don't have the footprint for alot of fish. Fish don't normally swim up and down to take advantage of space, they have a tendency to go back and forth...esp. those danios, I am sure you have seen they like to zip around. How often do you see them zipping up and down? Dwarf corydora should be fine for the bottom, and a group of 6 sounds nice. And the slower moving tetras you spoke of should be okay too since they usually just cruise around checking out life. Be cautious though of the black skirt tetras....I have some white skirts and they are the feistiest bunch in my tank as far as chasing goes. I would only stick to 1 gourami, even males and females have been known to fight due to territory. With the hex shape they can't get away from each other horizontally. Hopefully someone who has had some experiences with hex tanks will be able to give better tips on what worked for them. Hex tanks are great since they take up less space, but you lose out by not having the footprint needed for many species.
A group of dwarf puffers would be active and happy in there, but with the danios you may find you have issues with getting food to everyone. The danios are fast enough to avoid being nipped, but they are also quite fast at grabbing the food. Being able to feed plenty of snails will help that as the danios won't bother the snails, but the dp's will love 'em. Have you been able to come up with a decor arrangement that provides plenty of hiding and exploration places for the height of the tank? Dp's need plenty to break up their lines of sight and room to get out of each others way. People usually have better luck adding the full stock of dp's they want all at once so no single dp feels he/she owns the tank when a new one is added. Be cautious about that though because of the bioload added all at once. If your tank is done cycling it is only capable of handling the bioload for the current danios, anything more you add will increase the bioload and the good bacteria will have to catch up. Dp's won't do well in a cycling tank so you might want to consider some biospira to boost things along.

[holbritter]

Thanks kimmer!

I really wish I had read up on hexagons first! It really narrows your choices quite a bit. Yes....the danios zip around like crazy :)

I was able to find a tall "fake" bamboo plant that I have in there, and was going to get at least one more tall thin plant for the other side. I have a couple of other small plants. Here's a pic.
I'm almost at the end of my cycling (fingers crossed) so it will be a little while before I actually get new fish. Just trying to plan ahead, and as I said, I'm having a hard time finding fish that will do well.
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[Sin]

holbritter , if you have to narrow down the type of fishes you want to keep and you got the hexagon without doing alot of reserch on it beforehand , the best bet would be to sell off the hex , and get the tank you would want to keep the type of fishes you wanted...trust me , it will only be harder should you decide later to do that...but it is entirly up to you! my first tank was a 65 gallon hex....and i got tired of it quick because of the limitations it produced ...the fish are more happy to have plenty of room as well

[kimmers318]

Do you have a petsmart near you holbritter? I found some nice long plastic plants that suction to the side of the tank and hang down. That might help you add some decor around the top areas to cover up all of that free space. There are many types and styles so you can pick what might suit you.

[Lady Hobbs]

You can send your tank to me. My angels would love that tank.

I see no reason you can't go with your plans. However for the dwarf gourami's, I would stick with two males. They can be a bit aggressive when they mate and will chase other fish. I would also add about 30 jumbo neon tetra's. They are very colorful, stay very small and don't do a lot of skoaling but stay more in clumps and give off a nice color.

I hope you have so lonnnngggggg arms to reach to the bottom of that tank.
Congrats on getting that cycle about finished.

[Dori/amanda]

My Black skirts love darting up and down , feeding time even more so, and going in circle. I'm glad I have a normal shape tank! I have 8 tetras. I've read that they should be with at least 3 or 4. If that's wrong Please correct me

[Lady Hobbs]

Do you have a petsmart near you holbritter? I found some nice long plastic plants that suction to the side of the tank and hang down. That might help you add some decor around the top areas to cover up all of that free space. There are many types and styles so you can pick what might suit you.

I got their bamboo Kimmers. Love it. It's 32 inches long.

[holbritter]

Yes, I do. I got the same bamboo that hobbs is talking about. I'll have to take another trip soon and check out the other stuff.

I think I have at least another week of cycling before I stock.....can't wait!!
Thanks for the advice.