Can I Pick Your Bains?

[lianne3]

Im sooo bad at maths, i calculated it using a rule from a site. lol! for every litre of water, one cm of fish.
this is what it worked out as in my head (bear in mind im a bit thick) lol

1.5"=approx 4cm each for the gouramis, but round that up to 5cm
2"=5cm My platies are a bit smaller than 5cm each but its better to round it up.
1.5"=approx 4cm each, this is also rounded up for my 1.5" guppies.
3cm eachfor the barbs
and finally 1" =2.5cm for my cory

2x5=10
4x5=20
4x2=8
3x4=12
1x2.5=2.5

10+20+8+12+2.5=52.5

so that means im over by 10cm but bear in mind i did round alot up?

And also the first time, i forgot to count the cory lmao.

Dont hold back, if i am a complete thicko please say!!

 

[lianne3]

I guess i just have to wait till someone dies before adding a friend for my albino. Bummer.

 

[Larissa]

The rule to go by is one inch of fish per gallon of water not one cm of fish per litre I'm afraid. Like I said, as your tank matures and you get more experience you may be able to exceed this eventually, but right now I feel you could be headed for trouble - it is just too crowded. I can see you are reluctant (understandably) to take back any of your fish, but if anything, at least return the tiger barbs - they are very active fish and need more room - as well as the platies. Then, maybe, you could add 2 more guppies and cories. Just my 2 cents though.
-Larissa

 

[lianne3]

The rule to go by is one inch of fish per gallon of water not one cm of fish per litre I'm afraid. Like I said, as your tank matures and you get more experience you may be able to exceed this eventually, but right now I feel you could be headed for trouble - it is just too crowded. I can see you are reluctant (understandably) to take back any of your fish, but if anything, at least return the tiger barbs - they are very active fish and need more room - as well as the platies. Then, maybe, you could add 2 more guppies and cories. Just my 2 cents though.
-Larissa

I dont have any tiger barbs. lol.
Oh well. Im not adding anymore fish. Its hard enought working out wats wat now!! Maybe when i can afford it i will get a bigger tank so my albino can have a friend!

Thanks for your advice and patience!!

 

[Larissa]

Sorry, my bad - cherry barb not tiger barb. lol. A bigger tank is the perfect solution to this problem. I'm glad you arn't adding any more fish. Just make sure you keep a close eye on your tank untill you can upgrade. Like I said, in small tanks small problems can quickly turn into big ones. Watch out for agression and regularly check your water parameters for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. I would recomend getting a liquid test kit if you can. If not, take a sample of your water to your LFS and get them to write down your tank stats. (If you don't already know, you want 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and low (below 50) nitrates.) Please consider getting rid of a few fish for now. If you got rid of the barbs and platies you coud and a few more guppies and cories. Then, when you get a bigger tank, you can re-add them. I know it's difficult but it will take some pressure off of you. Also, I would up the water changes to 25% a week at least. I hope all goes well for you.
-Larissa