Asian Community Tank? or South American?

[dpatte]

I am having a difficult time trying to decide if my 210g tank should be setup as an asian community tank, or a south american community tank.

So here is a list of my current plan if will be an Asian community tank:
- Bala Sharks
- Clown loaches
- Lake Kitubu Rainbows
- Black Ruby Barbs
- Zebra danios
- Rasboras (heteromorpha) - large school
- Redtail shark (3 max)
- SAEs
- CAEs

And here is a list of my current plan if it will be a S. American community:
- Marble hatchets - school
- Neons or Cardinals - school
- Serpaes - school
- Rummy-nose - school
- Cories (preferably about 2 dozen all one kind)
- bushynose plecos
- angels
- 1 black ghost knife

So - I have a few questions....

- Are there some nice community fish that I am missing from either list that are not too expensive? Anyone have favourite barbs or tetras that may have slipped my mind? What are some other nice rainbows?
- Which tank would you think would look nicer?
- I have a strong pond pump that I would use in the asian tank to simulate river waterflow, but should a S. American tank have less water movement?
- The tank will be heavily planted and use CO2. Would the low pH be bad on the Asian fish?
- The tank will be lit using MH lighting. Will the bright lights be bad for the Asian fish?

Overall, I'm thinking if it will be bright and warm and low pH the S. American might be the best choice.

[Stussi613]

I have a school each of cardinals and Rummynose in my 125 (40 Cardinals and 20 Rummys at one point) and there's nothing, IMO, like seeing them move around the plants and driftwood together. Not sure about the technical part of your questions, but my vote is on S. American.

[jetstream]

Depends on your definition of heavily planted tank. In a heavily planted tank, you won't be able see your fishes like loaches or tetra very often.   

Congo tetra is a nice option since they stay on top area.

[exv152]

South American or Asian is really a subjective choice, it really depends on your personal choice. But both come from generally identical water parameters so pH isn’t a problem. For the co2, it is doable but I recommend a highly efficient method of dissolving co2 like the use of large DIY reactors on your filter outlets. Sounds like an exciting project!

[dpatte]

Well, I have to learn about some technology when I set it up.

I have some MH balasts and bulbs, but no hoods - so I'll have to get some advice on that.

The tank is drilled, but I dont want to use overflows, so I'll have to learn where to get plumbing and how to attach it to my pond pump and strainers.

As for CO2. I have 2 co2 canisters, so I have to decide which one to use and how to plumb the CO2 output into my canister filter. Last time I did CO2 it was with sugar & yeast.

[exv152]

As for CO2. I have 2 co2 canisters, so I have to decide which one to use and how to plumb the CO2 output into my canister filter. Last time I did CO2 it was with sugar & yeast.

Have you used the co2 cylinders for aquarium use, and do you have the equipment needed (regulator, solenoid, bubble counter, needle valve, check valve)? For a tank your size I'd highly recommend using a reactor, or two, over diffusers simply because most of the co2 coming out of a glass diffuser will simply float to the surface and disipate before it's had a chance to disolve in a tank that big. The reactor will ensure much better co2 solubility by mixing the water with the co2 and pushing it through your filter outlet, sending disolved co2 anywhere your filters send flow. In fact, you may even wish to increase the flow with additional powerheads which helps prevent algae.

[dpatte]

One CO2 tank is just a tank. The other has a valve on the top and a meter of some sort. Thats about the extent of my knowledge. I was planning on directing the CO2 through an airtube into a canister power filter input tube, so that the mixing in the canister would help disolve the CO2.

The tank will have a pond pump on it for circulation, but I will turn off the surface disturbing filters during the day to help keep the CO2 in.

[dpatte]

I've decided to go South American. I have picked up 60 black neones and 50 serpae which are in quarantine now as I prepare the tank.

Still interested in hearing if you have recommendations for tankmates for a S.A. tank.