New Tank - Stocking Suggestions??

[Stillness]

I think a school of Cories would look awesome. But yeah bala sharks, common plecos are a little to big for your tank. But Bristle noses are VERY cool.

Don't mollies require little more salt that most freshwater fish? Not saying they are at brackish, I just thought they needed a little more salt...

No to the AFD's your tank is to big. Besides the fact that you will have problems feeding them, it will be hard for them to swim to the top for air.

[Newman]

Mollies are really weird in that they apparently can adapt to freshwater, brackish water, and full marine water 0_o

They do best in brackish water, cuz thats where they normally live in Mexico. Bumblebee gobies will also need brackish water...i think.

AFTER you cycle your tank, here are some stocking ideas i came up with:

#1. 8 corydoras of any variety (species that grow to 2", beware of emerald corydoras as they get big) 4 dwarf gourami of any variety (1 male and 3 females) 4 Pitbull plecos. and if youre growing more algae than your pleco can eat, get an amono shrimp or two.

#2. the 8 corydoras of any variety (or substitute with 3-4 yoyo loaches or botia loaches/other smaller varieties), 12-15 neon tetra (or any of the smaller tetra, or rasbora species, or two schools of different tetras. throw in either a few otocinclus or amano shrimp for even more clean up.

#3. 4 German blue rams, a school of some sort of tetra or rasbora...again.

One thing to remember that during breeding, the GBR could be agressive to bottom dwellers such as cories or loaches. however i would let a GBR owner decide on that.

Those are just some random choices that popped into my head, and some that i would've kept, had i had a change to redo my 40 gallon.
Obviously there are many more choices.

[alimcgehee]

I started the tank with a seed filter from a known healthy established aquarium, and have waited a couple of months to start thinking of putting more fish in the tank (I knew I would get excited and impatient if I did) cos I DON'T want to be the brace-face little girl from Finding Nemo. So with no hiccups, I'm fairly certain the tank is cycled - I wanted to make sure the few little fishies are strong, disease/parasite free, and good eaters before continuing to stock the tank (slowly). Is it possible the tank still hasn't cycled after that long?? I definitely don't want to put anything in my aquarium that doesn't belong or won't be comfortable. I want to do this RIGHT - I look forward to cultivating this hobby into a skill. after doing more research, I came up with the list I posted earlier (thanks Newman). no worries - balas and plecos are out of the question. another time, another tank.

it's extremely tedious going through lists and lists of species to find out all the details as a beginner and you don't know where to start, so to those who took the time to suggest a few neat ideal tank mates - THANK YOU. any more advice/suggestions are greatly appreciated!!!

[OrangeCones]

Originally Posted by alimcgehee

Is it possible the tank still hasn't cycled after that long??

After you seeded your aquarium a few months ago, did you provide a source of ammonia to feed the bacteria? If not, your tank will not have stayed cycled, as the bacteria would have starved after all that time.

[JRB__]

Originally Posted by alimcgehee

.....Is it possible the tank still hasn't cycled after that long??......I want to do this RIGHT - I look forward to cultivating this hobby into a skill......

Get yourself API master test kit, test for ammo, nitri, nitra and if you get levels of nitrate and 0ppm for ammo & nitrite then your tank has completed its cycle.
All pleco's aren't out of the question. Maybe a bulldog pleco or like mentioned above the bristlenose, my favourite is the peppermint bristlenose.
Newmans given you a great line up of fish and ideas so go to a few pet shops and see whats avaliable and what you like.