Choosing the right tank size for my future setup

[Finley]

Hi Finley, welcome to the forum.

Could you tell me more about the type of pleco you have? Some species grow quite large, up to 2 feet in length, which would require a massive tank, at least 8-10 feet long, if you have a common pleco that can reach that size.

Angelfish also need plenty of space, so for your adult angelfish, you'll want a tank that's at least 4 feet long, 18 inches wide, and 18 inches high. The bigger the better, really.

Those 3 albinos that look like sunshine peacocks - what type of fish are they exactly? If you're unsure, posting a picture would be a big help.

Also, I was wondering, have you checked the water parameters in your area? You can usually find this info on your water supply company's website or by giving them a call. If they can't help, just take a glass of tap water to your local pet store and ask them to test it for you. Make sure to write down the results, including the units they use, like ppm or dGH.

This info will help you figure out what type of fish will thrive in your water. For example, angelfish, discus, and most tetras and barbs prefer soft water, with a GH below 150ppm and a pH below 7.0. Livebearers, on the other hand, like medium hard water with a GH around 200-250ppm and a pH above 7.0. And if your water is very hard, you might want to consider African Rift Lake cichlids or use a water filter to soften it.

I figured out the mystery fish - they're albino dwarf African cichlids. Next week I'm upgrading to a 55 gallon tank for the rainbow shark, yoyo loach, angelfish, and pleco. The 25 gallon will be dedicated to the cichlids. I've sold most of the other fish, except for the GloFish, but they're going soon too. Planning to add 1-3 new angelfish to the 55, probably koi or blue angels. For the 25 gallon with the cichlids, I'm looking for another fish that'll get along with them - any suggestions?

[coltin]

Dwarf African cichlids are a pretty broad term, we're really gonna need a scientific name or some pics to ID them properly. What's the tank dimensions for the 25 gallon, length x width x height?

[Finley]

The 25 gallon tank is 24 x 12 x 20. They're kribenis dwarf cichlids.

[coltin]

Three Kribensis Cichlids in a 2-foot tank, might just work out, but there's also a chance the third one gets picked on when the other two start breeding.

A breeding pair of Kribensis in a 2-foot tank is likely to take over the entire space, leaving no room for other fish. In a taller tank, you might be able to squeeze in some pencilfish or other surface-dwelling fish, but no guarantees the cichlids won't go after them.