27 replies to this topic

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Iv just got a new fish tank... For Free it was given to me by a friend of the family, it's not a big tank but what more do you want for free.

The tank is currently still set up but I'm picking it later today, it's a 30lx18dx15w (inches)

The tank comes with sand, a few fake plants, fluval U2 internal filter, lights, heater (100 watts I think), background and some bogwood.

This tank will be in the bedroom and as I already have my aggressive cichlid tank downstairs my girlfriend wants this one to be a nice peaceful community tank.

What i want to know is how many litres/gallons this tank is and since I know nothing about community tanks/fish, what could I keep in it? She wants something that will shoal together and is colourful and since it has sand she wants corys and a smaller plec... Orange spot, bristlenose and so on.

Thanks

[ZoddyZod]

this will help with the volume question...

http://www.fishforum...-calculator.htm

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Thank you...

Just used it and it works out as 133 litres/29 gallons (35 US gallons).

What community fish would be good for this tank with let's say a bristlenose and 8-10 corys (bronze or peppered)

[ZoddyZod]

for midwater, what about a group of 15 tetra (neon, green, penguin, etc.) and then maybe 2 bolivian rams.

.......I used to have a very similar stock list for my 125L.

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Not too keen on the neon tetras (although most love them lol)...

Il look at the penguin tetras, don't think any of my lfs have them because I can't remember seeing them. Maybe I just haven't looked hard enough and spend most of my time looking at cichlids lol

Thanks for the suggestions, all replies welcome

[ZoddyZod]

there's loads of tetra to have a look around (lemons, emperor,.....).

or there's the Harlequin rasbora - great little schoaler.

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Iv just looked at penguin tetras and iv seen emperor and rasboras before.. Lots to think about i think

[snazy]

I kept a pleco that was not bigger than a bristlenose, 6 corries and about 3 guppies, 2 platies and a female swordtail togehter in a 30 gallon tank with maximum filtration and although there were no water quality issues I think the tank is a bit small for that combination of fish. They kept bumping in each other and I don't think they liked it so much. So if I were you I would at least skip the pleco and get 3-4 otos instead of it if you insist on algae eaters.

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Aren't platies and swordtails bigger than things like neons though? I though the minimum for a bristlenose or similar sized plec was 20 gal? Maybe wrong though. Thanks for your reply

[ZoddyZod]

bristlenose will be fine in that size tank - I think the point was that the corries kept bumping into the BN? Give the BN enough places to hide out in and that should not be an issue.

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Ah right ok, get it now. Sorry. Wasn't trying to question anyone's knowledge was just confused from previous things iv read. There will be plenty of places for it to hide

[ZoddyZod]

AhWasn't trying to question anyone's knowledge was just confused from previous things iv read.

I didn't think you were - just trying to clarify (not even sure I've read it right either!)

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So in your opinion a school of 15 smaller tetras or rasboras, 8-10 corys, 2 Bolivian rams and a smaller plec (with hiding places) should be fine?

[ZoddyZod]

yep - sounds fine, and should be in-line with your partners request for a peaceful community.

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The main thing is getting it as she wants otherwise im not going to hear the end of it lol as far as my 450 downstairs goes, I'm thinking of taking the dovii back and getting a green terror, jack Dempsey and a convict or 2 instead??

[snazy]

bristlenose will be fine in that size tank - I think the point was that the corries kept bumping into the BN? Give the BN enough places to hide out in and that should not be an issue.

Correct,actually all of the fish, the corys, guppies, platies and swordtail kept bumping into the pleco, pleco's food, pleco's caves, etc.. 30G regardless of hiding spots is a small enough tank and otos would be happier I think.

[ZoddyZod]

The main thing is getting it as she wants otherwise im not going to hear the end of it lol as far as my 450 downstairs goes, I'm thinking of taking the dovii back and getting a green terror, jack Dempsey and a convict or 2 instead??

yep - that sounds like quite a feisty stocking! But better ask in NW Cichlids for more constructive advice.

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The main thing is getting it as she wants otherwise im not going to hear the end of it lol as far as my 450 downstairs goes, I'm thinking of taking the dovii back and getting a green terror, jack Dempsey and a convict or 2 instead??

yep - that sounds like quite a feisty stocking! But better ask in NW Cichlids for more constructive advice.

Ok will do

[snazy]

So in your opinion a school of 15 smaller tetras or rasboras, 8-10 corys, 2 Bolivian rams and a smaller plec (with hiding places) should be fine?

I don't want to sound negative again and only trying to help. But with a U2 filter and that stocking I wouldn't be sure it can handle the load.
A smaller plec like a bristlenose can grow to 12cm and they can poo a lot. Most corys get quite big too(7cm maybe depending on species)

[ZoddyZod]

ooops, I missed the filter size.

A U3 is the minimum you want for that water volume (and stock).