Biorb 60l Stocking Advice Help

[busterbrit]

I have a Biorb 60L a friend gave me. I just started the fishless cycle and wanted to plan out what I was going to get.

Lightly planted with real plants and a cave structure that goes up the middle surronding the tube.

Here is what I was thinking so far.

6 neon tetras (mid swimmer)
3 guppies (top swimmer)
1 dwarf gourami (bottom swimmer)
1 Red Cherry Shrimp

Is this too many fish?
Could I or should I add more neon tetras?
Can I add a different colored dwarf gourami and if yes does it need to be the oposite sex?

Let me know if you suggest anything else.

Thanks!!!

 

[Curiosity101]

Well let me just point out straight away that I dislike biorbs full stop. They don't give a large enough SA for gas exchange, and are also a horrible shape for fish IMO.

Having said that I would not even slightly go above 1" per gallon of fish.
60l = 16 US Gal = 16" of fully grown fish.
Each neon = 1"
Each guppy = 1.5"
1 Dwarf Gourami = 2.3"

That puts you at 12.5" of fish. Up the number of shrimp to 5 and you then have 13" of fish. If it were me I'd add another 3 neons and then be done.

With my suggestions I would add in the order of Guppys, Gourami, Shrimp n then Neons once your fishless cycle is done.
If you're cycling to 5ppm of ammonia then I would add the Guppys n Gourami in one lot, poss with the shrimp. Then wait a month or so and add half the neons, then a week later add the rest.

 

[busterbrit]

Thanks for the recommendations Curiosity101,

Yeah I wouldn't have bought it but it was free from a friend. Plus my wife said I could never have a tank in the family room but now that she saw how good this looks its going to finally happen.


Is it fine just having 1 dwarf gourami? I keep reading they need to be together but then I will find another place that says they fight...

yes I will be doing the 5 ppm.

I thought I could add everything at once if I do it this way but I think I will take your advice just to be safe.

So are you saying to put in 5 cherry shrimps? do they only take up .1 of space each? Do they actually do a good job of cleaning? Any other shrimps or snails you recommend instead?

Will the cherry shimp climb up the center rock or just stay on the bottom? If he just stays on the bottom it will be hard to see. Here is a youtube video of the same exact center piece I put in. http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XHEtlwo1i8

Thanks again!!!

 

[busterbrit]

regarding plants:

I had put an amazon sword that petsmart suggested. Then I read how large they get.

I was looking at getting rid of the amazon sword and doing one of the following:

Water Sprite (get's nutriants from water which is good since biorb uses rock substrate)
Java Fern (latches on to rocks well so I thought this would work with the rock media at the bottom of the biorb)
Red Rubin (I really like the way this one looks but I'm not sure if it is the best option)

What do you suggest?

Thanks!

 

[Curiosity101]

1 dwarf is fine. It's only honesy gouramis that actually appreciate being in a pair. Every dwarf I have had been a little... B*gger with the opposite sex.

The only reason I wouldn't add everyone at once is because neons need mature and very stable set-ups. If your friend had the tank running for more than 6months then yes I would go for a full stock straight away. (though don't get complacent on water testing).

Also yes I am saying 5 cherry shrimp, if you get 1 then it will be too scared to be seen. And the 0.1 value I am giving them is an estimate..but I think it's a close estimate.
I personally (in a freshwater setup) would never get any fish, shrimp or snails to clean up the tank EVER.
But yes shrimp do browse on algae, and I guess probabaly do keep it down.
The shrimp should also climb that central rock, but only if they have a reason too. EG. If there is algae on it or similar.

I have amano shrimp n I find them all over.

Regarding plants..and referring to my Fluval Roma 125 as pictured in my sig...
I have 2 x Amazon Sword, 1 X Amazon sword looking plant, Several Stems of Cabomba, Twisted Vallis, Straight Vallis, Java fern (normal, needle and narrow), Java Moss, Various Crypys, Moss Ball...etc.

Lots of plants.
I really would keep the swords until they physically outgrow the tank. I wouldn't be without mine ever. And the fish seem to enjoy them.

 

[busterbrit]

Thanks again.

so only get the shrimp if I like the way they look (which I do) instead of for clean up?

 

[Curiosity101]

In simple terms...yes.