[Marbellohsdad]

I'm getting a 50 gallon set up around the 7th of september. I plan on moving my Marble angelfish and pair of bolivian rams into the new tank with the substrate and sponge filter. I'm putting sand on top of the substrate for the corys and later on after a few weeks to a week getting 8 warm water cories. 7 oil catfish, dwarf woodcats,( both catfish like to be kept in groups) about 12 or so tetras of a single species. and maybe another pair of rams. note i'l add fish gradually and not all at once.

my question is is this to many fish for a 50 gallon.

 

[jaysee]

Your putting sand over the substrate - what kind of substrate?

I think your stocking plan is very bottom dweller heavy. Is it too many fish? Too many fish is indicated by either poor water quality (filtration is overloaded), ridiculous amounts of maintenance (too much work), or the fish are swimming into each other (not enough space). I don't think that you are in jeopardy of any of those conditions, assuming your sponge filter is up to the job.

 

[BWG]

Take care which tetra species you add, because some could be eaten by the angelfish.

The oil catfish will hide in driftwood during the day and then swim along the surface at night. You might want to skip them though since they really do best with some current. You won't be able to achieve the ideal environment for them with a sponge filter. I had wanted some, but decided against it. My canister is oversized, but set up to only provide a little bit of current. Some day though I'll have some.

 

[Jeffrey]

I don't think you are technically overstocked, but you may find that the bottom of your tank feels very crowded with this particular stocking. It's true that the angels CAN eat smaller tetras, but I have only ever seen this when the angel is very large, the tetra is very small, and the angel isn't getting fed enough, but this is just my experience. I think with cores, rams, tetras and angels you'll be golden, with just a bit of room to spare if you find anything you really like. :-D