55 Litre Tank Suggestions?

hinterglem · Oct 4, 2011

Hi,

I'm new here, but not new to fish keeping, although not hugely experienced. I used to have a large tank, but I've downsized and now only have a small 55 litre tank (12 imperial gallons, 14 US gallons). I have a couple of questions and would appreciate any advice/suggestions.

1) Hair algae. Is there any way to control it? I have tried reduced feeding, weekly 20% water changes, using a nitrate sponge, and pulling out the threads daily. I even stripped the tank down, replaced all the gravel, decor, and plants (with sterile grown plants), and used Safestart to restart the cycle. That worked for a few weeks, but the stuff soon started growing back again. Nitrate levels are near zero (since using the nitrate sponge). Anything else I can do?

2) Current population is 4 neon tetras (used to be 7, but 3 of them were killed by my japonica (amano) shrimp - although they are supposed to be safe to keep together, these particular shrimp had got used to live food and saw the baby neons as a tasty snack - apparently the eyeballs are especially yummy), 3 endlers, and one otocinclus. I don't want to overstock, but the tank does look a bit empty, so I would appreciate suggestions on what to add. I have tried dwarf gouramis, and would like to try one again, but the 2 I have had both died within a year - I don't know why. I was thinking of getting some more amano shrimp as well (my old ones lived out their full natural lives), as the neons are fully grown now.

Here is a picture of my tank - as you can see, it is well planted, although I'm wondering whether to try moving the foreground plants a bit further back and getting a couple of cories or something.

fishyfeet · Oct 4, 2011

nice job, have you tried restricting the lighting, and makeing a break in the day this worked for me, di

hinterglem · Oct 4, 2011

fishyfeet said:
have you tried restricting the lighting, and makeing a break in the day

Thanks for the reply - I tried turning the lights off altogether for 2 months! This killed my plants, but not the algae. The picture of your tank in your sig is nice - inspiring in fact. I think I need to try re-landscaping my tank now...

fishyfeet · Oct 4, 2011

yes it would, plants need 12 hours of light as does algae which is also a plant, but algae needs 12 hours of constant light (or should i say it does better) where as plants can cope with a break, so what i do is plug the lighting into a timer and put the lights on 7-1 and 3-9 this gives plants the one up and you get good strong healthy plants and week not so good algae, which does hang about a bit, but it doesnt get too bad, i also have loads of algae eaters such as, applesnails, shrimps, s,a,e, bristlenose plecs, ottos, these feed almost exclusivly on algae.

Let me tell you as you mentioned my tank, that wasnt acheived in a couple of weeks you know that tank is about 15 years old actually, not the stuff in it though, but the backing, substrate and filter all are too, it takes time to produce something stunning, and its still and always is work in progress, di

Ant_Soton · Oct 4, 2011

Nice looking tank. I see you were thinking on getting a couple of Corrys. Corrys apparently need to be kept in groups of atleast six and then some would say that would overstock your tank. I'm only really learning now

hinterglem · Oct 4, 2011

fishyfeet said:
what i do is plug the lighting into a timer and put the lights on 7-1 and 3-9 this gives plants the one up and you get good strong healthy plants and week not so good algae

I will certainly give that a try, thanks.

Any suggestions on new tankmates? Amano shrimp, an apple snail, and another oto for the algae? Maybe a single dwarf gourami or would this tank be too small for that?

fishyfeet · Oct 4, 2011

hmm yes i think the tank maybe too small for a pair of gouarmi and single fish can get agressive to your other fish, have another think, ive some apple snails available email me as i cannot pm or email you, diane012011@hotmail.co.uk or pm me :huh: