Just an update the tank is on it's way. Amonia is finially dropping off nitrite is still peaking and nitrate is just starting to register. 

excellent. Looking forward to pics. What fish are you throwing in first?

Peacocks first unless my buddy says no, I need to learn all the different names.  Dave at Something Fishy is going to help with my choices. I’m going to note all the names so I know what I have.

The one criterion I have is I do not want anything that is going to get huge – over 6 inches.  Also I want more community tank so no bullies allowed.

If I can have them I want a small school of clown loaches. 

I will keep you posted.

Also nitrite just dropped

Some peacock do get bigger than 6"

A school of clown loaches sounds fantastic!  They keep well with africans as well!

AJ :)

KoiMan said :

The one criterion I have is I do not want anything that is going to get huge – over 6 inches.  Also I want more community tank so no bullies allowed.

If I can have them I want a small school of clown loaches.  

Clown loaches get much bigger than 6", can get up to a foot, granted they are very slow growers.

Clown loaches when small are sensitive and can be tricky to raise. Here is a good article about them.

Clown Loaches

AJ,

Selection is going to be key on the Peacocks, so I’m going to make sure of what I’m getting.

Fish E,

Thanks for the Clown loach link - very interesting,  any thoughts on how long 2 and 3 inch clowns would take to get over 6 inches?  Or is that only in the wild.

KoiMan said :

  

Fish E,

Thanks for the Clown loach link - very interesting,  any thoughts on how long 2 and 3 inch clowns would take to get over 6 inches?  Or is that only in the wild.

To be honest, I think that might be in the wild but I am not sure. You may be able to find everything you need to know here:

 Clown Loaches 2

they can definitely get over that in a tank. especially a tank that size. i don't think the question you should ask is how long it'll take to get that big. it's more like am i willing to house them for life? it's never the right attitude to anticipate getting rid of them when they're too big. in any case to answer u'r question depending on how you take care of them i'd say anywhere from 1 or 1.5yrs to 3 or 4 years to get over 6"

I wouldn't worry about clown loaches getting too big , there is always a demand for larger ones.

What are you thinking with the peacocks?  I'm thinking you may be able to have 4-5 showy males in a tank that size and with good cover.  I would stay away from OB strains, IME they are more aggressive and dominant than most other strains.

The tank full of beautiful peacocks is very difficult if not impossible, as subdominate males show subdued or next to no color.  Plus they will fight with each other , though that usually only results in torn fins or a bad eye.

AJ :)

AJ said :

 

A school of clown loaches sounds fantastic!  They keep well with africans as well!

 

I disagree, I had someone bring to work, 8 or 9 dead Clown Loaches he put in his African tank to see if it would work