Irina_kukuts – Pixabay
A 500 liter aquarium is usually 160 x 140 x 55 cm in size and therefore offers plenty of space for decoration, plants and fish. The weight is around 750 kilograms.
The question quickly arises: Which plants, fish and decorative objects are actually suitable for a 500 liter tank?
Aquarium combinations – recommendations:
Last updated on March 28, 2022 at 5:06 PM. We would like to point out that the prices displayed here may have changed in the meantime. All statements without guarantee.
The correct setup of a 500 liter pool
Of course, setting up such a large tank takes some time, but you will be rewarded with a beautiful aquarium.
1st step: substrate and decoration
Ground: For the ground you need about 70 kg of quartz sand and 10 kg of gravel. It is also nice if there are a few larger stones in the pool. The other decorative objects can be freely selected according to taste. There are all sorts of stylish and whimsical things on the market now.
Decoration suggestion for a 500 liter pool:
- 2 large finger roots
- 3 to 4 large stones
- 1 log cave
- 1 tunnel
- 1 rock plateau
2nd step: buy plants
The choice of plants is a matter of taste. Java fern in particular looks very pretty in large tanks. It can also be planted in the roots of the fingers. It is by no means a must to fill the tank to the brim with plants. Pisces also really like space to swim. 5 to 6 different plants are usually sufficient for a 500 liter tank.
Aquarium plants for a 500 liter tank:
- java fern
- Taxiphyllum barbieri
- Echinodorus (Red Senna)
- Ludwigia repens (Diamond red)
- New Zealand Grass (Lilaeosis Novaezelandiae)
- Sword plant (Echinodorus grisebachii)
3rd step: Insert fish
After the run-in phase, which lasts at least 3 weeks, the first fish can be introduced. Of course, it’s better to wait even longer. The more stable the system is, the healthier the fish and plants remain. The water values should remain the same for at least 7 days. Patience is an important virtue when setting up an aquarium.
Stocking example I: South American tank variant 1
A South American tank is one of the most popular design options for an aquarium, even if there is no uniform model, since the conditions in the Amazon differ from the conditions of the tributaries such as the Rio Xingu, Rio Tapajos or the Orinoco. The furnishing options are correspondingly diverse.
Cichlids come in many different colors. These fish like to hide between rocks, so a tank with cichlids should have varied rock formations. Cichlids can live up to 15 years.
South American ground tetras are very fascinating fish native to South American Sao Francisco. It can grow up to 10 cm, so it is not suitable for small tanks. Since Bodensalmer are very peaceful, they can be kept well in community tanks.
Armored catfish can reach a length of 7 cm. If cared for properly, they can live to be 10 to 14 years old. The freshwater ornamental fish belongs to the genus Corydoras.
Long-tailed catfish are particularly peaceful conspecifics that don’t move around much. They can reach a size of 15 cm. Since they eat algae, they clean the aquarium.
Guppies are fun-loving and swimming-loving fish that are easy to watch. The colorful little fish multiply quickly and are constantly busy nibbling on algae.
Fish for a 500 liter tank:
- 2 cichlids (Tropheus annectens)
- 5 to 10 South American ground tetras
- 2 armored catfish (Corydoras)
- 2 catfish (Ancistrus spec.)
- 5 guppies
Plants such as Echinodorus, Cabomba or Alternanthera reineckii are very suitable for setting up a South American tank. However, a South American aquarium does not have to be heavily planted, although this is usually the case. Some of the ornamental fish come from biotopes that are sparsely overgrown. Discus fish, for example, do not need a large stock of plants, but are also satisfied with roots and stones.
Stock example II: South American tank variant 2
Angels are the stars of the aquarium because of their striking fins. They feel very comfortable in small groups.
The Colombian comes from South America and inhabits small, flowing waters there. The iridescent fish grows to about 7 cm long and can live up to 8 years. In the tank it can often be found in the plants near the panes.
The Mourning Cloak Tetra comes from central South America and is often found in the river systems of the Río Paraguay and the Rio Guaporé in Bolivia. The fish are very peaceful and can reach a size of 5 cm.
Neons are as pretty as they are uncomplicated. They can be socialized with almost any fish. A red neon can grow anywhere from 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm).
The angel loricariid is native to the upper Orinoco and the Venezuelan Amazon. Adult specimens can reach a size of 10 cm. Roots are particularly important for this species of fish.
Fish for a 500 liter tank:
- 5 to 7 red-blue Colombians (Hyphessobrycon columbianus)
- 3 to 6 angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)
- 5 to 7 mourning cloak tetras (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi)
- 5 to 10 Neons (Paracheirodon innesi)
- 10 to 12 Red Neons (Paracheirodon axelrodi)
- 2 to 4 angel catfish
- Hellena snails (Clea helena)
Stock example III: Asian basin
Threadfish are very magnificent and calm. They can reach a size of 10 to 12 cm and live for over 10 years. Characteristic of this species are the thread-like pelvic fins.
Zebrafish are great group fish because they are very compatible. On average, they live to be 6 years old and 6 cm long. Because they swim a lot, they bring a lot of life to the tank.
Siamese Algae Eaters have a long black stripe and grow to 12 cm. They are known to eat a lot of algae. The long, narrow fish is native to Thailand and Malaysia.
The Asiatic catfish Bagrichthys macracanthus is black with a white caudal fin and a narrow white horizontal stripe. It is native to Indonesia and on rare occasions can grow up to 20 cm.
Alternatively, you can also take butterfly catfish. These catfish live in small groups and are also very peaceful. However, these catfish eat shrimp from time to time. Because of this, they should never be kept together with them.
Fish stock Asian tank:
- 2 to 4 blue threadfish (Trichopodus trichopterus)
- 20 to 30 zebrafish (Danio rerio)
- 4 to 5 Siamese Eaters (Crossocheilus siamensis)
- 1 Asian catfish (Bagrichthys macracanthus) or
- 3 to 5 butterfly catfish (hara hara)