42 Gallons Fresh Start

[Gurglar]

So I was staring at my 42 gallon algae ridden fish tank after feeding some bloodworms and realized how lazy i have been with my tank. I havent done a water change in maybe 3 months or more now just topped it up once. Funny thing though I have only lost one tetra and a cory in that entire time none of my other fish have died or gotten sick (all fish have been in there for well over 2 years now) and that was after a water change.

So gonna do a big clean tomorrow arvo pull the filter apart and clean all the piping aswell as a water change, will the sudden shock of clean water kill any fish like the tetra and cory?

But yeah other than that I wanna start dreaming up a new stocking as ive said those fish have been in there for well over 2 years now so abit "over" them.

So what would people have in a 42gallon tank? I like colour and smaller fish so it can be stocked abit more. Did want Bolivian Rams mixed in with my current stock but never got around to that so maybe them in the new setup and i was thinking a Ghost knife fish as they fascinate me

Other than that a good variety over the entire tank is all im after so suggest away even if it doesnt include the ram or knife fish

I'm not killing off my current fish or giving them away cause theyve been with me to long, this plan won't start until they are all gone and ive found another place to live to move it into a better place to pay more attention to

 

[BigIan]

Apistogramma are of of my faverote species, and are very interesting to watch.

thread fin rainbows also are cool

 

[fluttermoth]

Bolivian rams are great little fish, as are the Apistogrammas.
But I'd really advise you to do more frequent water changes! I wouldn't do a huge water change right now; do lots of smaller ones. And maybe not the Ghost Knife fish, unless you get a much bigger tank; they can grow to 2 feet long!

 

[Jenste]

perhaps some gouramis? they would probably be able to be added with your current stocking (once you get your cleaning regiment sorted)

 

[Miss Wiggle]

don't do a really big clean - you need to build up slowly.

there is a thing called old tank syndrome where tanks that have been poorly maintained build up poor water quality but do it gradually so the fish gradually acclimitise to the water conditions. A rapid change to the water conditions, even if it is an improvement can shock the fish and you may find they start dieing on you.

do some small 5% water changes every few days for a week or so to build the fish up before you do a large water change and clean out.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Sounds like Rainbowfish are one solution!

Either several big (15+) schools of...

• Threadfin
• Neon Dwarf
• Forktail Blue Eye
• Gertrude
• Pseudomugil Signifer (Pacific Blue Eye?)
• Pseudomugil tenellus (unknown common name)
• Celebes

Or if the tank is 4-foot long for larger Rainbows of adult size (or plans to upgrade in future), a couple of 6+ groups from...

• Bosemani
• Parkinsoni
• Red (incissus)
• Madagascan (although I believe these are more riverine, needing more current and lower temps)

 

[Biulu]

What about a nice shoal of congo tetras? Lots of cories for the bottom, they come in so many nice varieties... Or a large shoal of zebra loaches?

 

[Gurglar]

Wow i'm loving the different kinds of rainbows I never see them in any of my fish stores though over here will have to search harder I think