Comments On My Stocking Levels

[brian2708]

Hi, I have a Fluval Roma 200 and just wondered what the opinions of my stock levels are.

Currently I have

8 Congo Tetras
8 Neon Tetras
4 Black Tetras
2 Gold Tetras
2 Rosy Tetras

1 BN Catfish
1 Common Pleco (which is going back to the shop as was told this was a pitbull!)

A few of these were rescued from a friend who just lost complete interest in his tank.

I have agreed with the LFS that they'll swap the 2 golds for blacks to up the number of black tetras.

Should I increase the number of Rosys?

What else should I consider adding in the future? It seems to be lacking colour in my opinion.

I am currently fish-in cycling this tank, and I don't have a choice about this unfortunately, however I am fishless cycling a 60l and will be transferring the medium over once cycled to this tank so I can be happy that my main tank is fully cycled.

Thanks for your help.

 

[brian2708]

Once my other tank is cycled I will be transferring the filter media over to this tank, so will want to maximise my stocking level.

What would you guys suggest I do? I'm quite liking the Bolivian Rams. Are these best kept in pairs? Do you think my stock level is already near max?

Perhaps some corys?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Tizer]

You have mostly midwater species in there so the bottom of the tank is an open playing field really.

You've not commented on your filtration type, is it external and how many gallons per hour? What substrate do you have?

 

[brian2708]

You have mostly midwater species in there so the bottom of the tank is an open playing field really.

You've not commented on your filtration type, is it external and how many gallons per hour?

Hi.

My filter is an external Fluval 205. 680lph, so assuming my 200l tank is probably more like 180litre with all the substrate etc, looking at about 4x filtration per hour. I am willing to up this if needed.

I thought the bottom was an open playing field to be honest. I shall have to try and convince the misses that corys are the way to go!

Apple snails. Are there any real benefits to having these? Will they eat all my plants? Do they cope on sand well?

Thanks

 

[brian2708]

 

[Tizer]

Not a snail person myself, cant really comment. As far as im concerned they are a pretty boring addition to any tank. But as long as you have a sand substrate any corys you add will feel at home.

The 205 is fine, they are good filters. You will have to upload some pics

edit : oh, you just did, lol

nice looking setup

 

[brian2708]

Thanks. It is still a work in progress unfortunately. Am waiting on some caves to arrive, and I'm not happy with the wood I have. Or the plants. lol.

It's all a bit messy at the moment, but I'll get there eventually.

The stuff that doesn't end up in this tank, will go in my other 60l tank which I intend to use for a bit of guppy fun.

 

[Tizer]

Thats part of the fun of it all.

 

[brian2708]

So corys is definitely the way forward once cycled (my cycled seems to be coming along nicely)?

Could I add something mid-water level with a bit of color or do you think that is pushing it? If so, what is compatible with my current stock?

Thanks.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I hate to say it, but once you've added the cories you'll probably already be overstocked... cories do best in groups of 6+... I'd recommend going with one of the smaller varieties of corys. My preference is the "salt and pepper" corys, sometimes called "dwarf" corys... corydoras habrosus. These only get to about 1.25 inches long, so you might be able to up the number to 10, instead of merely 6 of a larger cory.


I would also consider moving the gold and rosys over to the other tank, and then you would have a little more space available for some color in the midwater. A pair of honey gourami would probably work pretty well in that setup. (I'm not sure about them with the congo tetra though...) Or, you could just up the number of neons.