After Suggestions, Plant Or Fish?

[cynic]

I wondered if you lot would help out with a problem me and the wifey are having.....

We had a clearout at the weekend, 99% of the cabomba has gone. Stuff is a nightmare and seems to promote fillament algae so its gone.

I have been able to give the substrate a real good clean too as within the stems it was difficult to get at without damage. Anyway thats irrelevant now.

The bigger issue is the fish are SO active with all the extra room litterally zooming around like there on speed, but the tank looks so bare now. There are close to 40fish in the tank but have a look...(there are 6-8 cory's to come)

See what i mean. So do i increace the fish stock or plantstock?

I'm tempted with fish, but then i'm tempted by plants too but i don't have enough fish/pant knowlege to pick out something that would work.

So what do you folks think.

Temp is 25 degree's

Amm And Ni 0, Nitrate is typically in the 40's and the PH is around 7, 7hrs lighting with a bit of ambient and the real pain/pleasure is the tank is viewed on 3 sides as a living room centrepiece.

 

[PerryClem0842]

Could i suggest that you get a little bit of both some angels might look nice or a Blue ram , maybe some more bottom plants though as you look like you have quite a lot of taller ones
thanks Perry.

Looking great though

 

[cynic]

Angels? Hmm quite like the Harlequins, don't fancy them being fish food. Didn't think i had the height for then either with the decor.

 

[PerryClem0842]

Yeah !! Probably not a good idea if you have Harlequins :L Do you like the idea of the Blue or Gold Rams?

 

[Sammyb]

Buy tiny angel fish the size of a 50p and they will grow up with the harlequins and will not eat them, ive done it loads of times works a treat

 

[soybean]

Rather than an angel fish which grow quite tall, what about a larger gourami? Maybe a pearl/lace one, or three spot.

I think less is more when it comes to stocking fish, whereas you could easily put loads more plants in.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

How about some taller Anubias, like heterophylla?

 

[cynic]

Rather than an angel fish which grow quite tall, what about a larger gourami? Maybe a pearl/lace one, or three spot.

I think less is more when it comes to stocking fish, whereas you could easily put loads more plants in.

Plants are a bit of a catch22 as the tank can be viewed on 3 sides there is no back. It also makes the height a tricky one as it takes over the tank.

I didn't realise there were larger gourami's, most of the ones i've seen would blend in with the other fish too much, just flat greys and such.

 

[Primous]

Hi Cynic

My suggestion would be an apisto pair. They a species that have personality by the bucket load. Though with that said I think I should point out that your filament algae was caused by your high level of nitrate. 40ppm is far to much and is basically a fertilizer for 80% pf the algae types out there.

I'd also recommend some sagittaria subulata (carpeting type plant)

Which can be found on ebay for next to nothing (at the moment) when compared to the price of tropica pots.

 

[cynic]

40ppm is too high , ahh. Thought that was an ok level, i'll keep it nearer the 20's then.

My only concern with carpets is getting the poop out of them.

 

[Primous]

If you're taking the planted route then anything over 0ppm is too high as it can cause algae. To be clear nitrates at 50ppm and under is fish friendly but nitrates when combined with any number of imbalances will result in algae. You can adjust the nitrates by how much you feed your fish and how you feed them.

I should note that there is a guy who owns a forum that insists/advocates that nitrate doesn't cause algae but in my experience eliminating nitrate freed me of all algae types.

 

[cynic]

They are only fed every other day as it is with sometimes 2 days between feeds depending on what they get. I go by the poop on the floor of the tank as my guide.

Its tricky as the collumbians esp don't like fast water i only have around 4X flow so the tank has to have a weekly syphon to clear the bottom properly.

Looking at peoples suggestions above the one that keeps popping up compatable is Discus which is a surprise. Either a couple of those or a 20+shoal of cardinals? But the cardinals seem a bit, predictable is the wrong word but you know what i mean.

 

[Tizer]

I'd be looking for a few nice chunky pieces of tall bogwood myself \o/

 

[smudge_]

Hi Cynic

My suggestion would be an apisto pair. They a species that have personality by the bucket load. Though with that said I think I should point out that your filament algae was caused by your high level of nitrate. 40ppm is far to much and is basically a fertilizer for 80% pf the algae types out there.

I'd also recommend some sagittaria subulata (carpeting type plant)

Which can be found on ebay for next to nothing (at the moment) when compared to the price of tropica pots.

Hey

just saw this post, great shout! I have been looking for an inexpensive way to plant my tank, 25 plants for £6 sounds great, thanks!

 

[cynic]

Hi Cynic

My suggestion would be an apisto pair. They a species that have personality by the bucket load. Though with that said I think I should point out that your filament algae was caused by your high level of nitrate. 40ppm is far to much and is basically a fertilizer for 80% pf the algae types out there.

I'd also recommend some sagittaria subulata (carpeting type plant)

Which can be found on ebay for next to nothing (at the moment) when compared to the price of tropica pots.

Hey

just saw this post, great shout! I have been looking for an inexpensive way to plant my tamk, 25 plants for £6 sounds great, thanks!

Have just done the very same.