How much filter media in 120 Gal tank and What type??

Question

I am starting a 120 gal. fish tank. It's been set up for 6 weeks fishless cycling and I'm now just feeding the bacteria 2-3 Tbs few times a week until I get fish. My question is I bought a Fluval FX5 filter for it with 1 bag of pre-filter and some carbon (I realize now that I didn't really need carbon unless I got dirty water but too late). The fish I want to get are 6 serpae tetra, 3 bala sharks, 6 angels, at least 8 cory cats, and possibly 2 rope fish several months later. Or should I get some more media before adding that many fish or go slower... There is tons of space left in filter but I'm on a tight budget to be able to afford the fish and a few more decorations. I need help figuring out time frame on which of the fish to add right away, which to wait a few weeks and when to add more media if it's going to be needed. With the media now and 3 Tbs every day I am getting near zero ammonia, zero nitrite and I have another question on here with my NitrAte situation.

I bought this tank specific so I could finally have Bala sharks since they couldn't go in my 30 gallon. If this is STILL too small what is a very similar looking fish that would work instead I love their coloring? How long would it take for them to grow to full size and then I could trade them back in???? I can forgo the ropes if I absolutely have to.

Answer 1

You should use carbon anyway, even if you don't have a dirty tank. It helps keep the water clean.
About the stocking: you're going to have to choose between the balas and the angels. A 120 gallon is a bit tight but would be okay for a small school of balas - but the minimum ought to be more like 5 fish, not 3, which would replace the angels. OR stick with 6-7 angels, which would be the limit for 10 gallon tank anyway. Also, have you looked into emperor tetras? They're bigger and have less of a chance of being eaten by the balas.

You might as well add your filter media now.
You'll have several different sponge pads, yes? You'll also need your carbon. Other options are bio stars, ceramic rings, and zeolite. I use all of these in my canister and could not be happier. Basically, you CAN'T overfilter. If you have a large canister filter and stuff it full of filter media and put it on a small tank with one little fish, it won't be a bad thing.

You should add your fish slowly. If you end up going with only balas, it could be something like:
week one: 6 tetras
week three: 3 balas
week five: 3 more balas
week seven: corydoras
And of course keep an eye on your ammonia and nitrites, but it should be fine.

Edit: I'd forget about the ropes, but you can leave the option open for yourself later on. The tank should be large enough for Balas, but not too much else. If you want something shark-ish, you could look into tri-color or red-tailed sharks. Or rainbow fish? Not quite the same thing, but they would be in the same class of looks (in my mind, anyway)

Answer 2

Tight budjet eh? Time to go old school :)

Yes, all of these work and work well. No none of them will hurt your fish. I and fellow club members have been using all of the things I will suggest for years and years in both fresh and saltwater with no harmfull effects ever.

Here's an old timers trick to bio media for your filter. Remember this, any food safe plastic is fish safe plastic. The little plastic scrubbers for dishes are good if they have no soap and have never been used, the rings off the top of a soda bottle, you know the part left when you take the cap off, those are great and free but it takes a while to collect enough. The little plastic mesh bags that fruit comes in is another good media and free if you or someone you knows buys fruit in bags. Use your imagination.

Another media is ceramic. What you would need is fired but unglazed and unpainted ceramic pieces. Many, many ceramic shops throw away broken greenware as it is called every day. If you explain you need broken up pieces and why, they will probably fire it for you for nothing or a small charge at the worst.

The main things to remember, fish safe and water needs to flow through it. Don't use stuff that will pack down too tight or stack together to tightly to allow water to run through.

Zoe of course nailed it on the fish stuff so I won't repeat that part. Just wanted to add an old school guys tip for saving some money.

Answer 3

If you have room for extra media, add plain sponges. You can usually find a big pack for a few dollars. Your stocking plan is too much for that tank. Maybe forget the ropefish and 3 angels. Ropefish prefer large groups. Remember the sharks will get a foot in length, the angels about 10", the ropefish 15", and the cories 3". The sharks will be 1/6th the length of the tank, that's not much free swimming room.

Answer 4

For a tank that size I would get 2 Aquaclear 110's. Better yet would be a canister filter.