Hello From A Newbie

[Tiger777]

Hi

I am new to the fish keeping world and am very pleased to have found this forum!
We bought a fluval edge in november and after a couple of deaths! Have now got it ticking over nicely. It contains 1x pleco, 4x Neon tetras, 1x black neon tetra, 1x beta splendens, 1x Yellow moon platy and 4x african dwarf frogs.
I have been worried that we may have over stocked it and am thinking about getting a bigger tank, although they all seem to be happy and healthy.
Its amazing how addictive keeping fish is!

 

[KittyKat]

Welcome, you are right that it is overstocked, and actually very much so! I would personally keep *only* 6 neon tetras in a tank that size.. so please do look into getting something bigger as soon as possible..

Here are some issues you have to consider:
* neons and black neons are schooling fish, so you should keep 6+ of each once you have the space, this would require at 2+ ft tank
* the smallest pleco should have a 3+ ft tank, which species is yours?
* a Betta should have a tank with good access to the surface because they breath straight from the atmosphere, like you do

So, I think you should aim for a 3ft tank, bigger is always better if you can afford it, of course.

Also, please read about fish-less (recommended) and fish-in (not recommended) cycling!

 

[Lyra0727]

Welcome to the forum

I would say that is a little over stocked. A rule I always remember when getting fish is 1 inch of fish per gallon. Of course its 1 inch of fish per 4 gallons for fish that tend to be very messy!

A bigger tank is always better because surprisingly its easier to handel!

 

[Tiger777]

Oh dear! Was afraid this was the case my poor fish. I always leave a half inch at top of tank for the betta to breath. Right, best order a new tank and start again. Was looking at the fluval roma 90 litres, would this be big enough for present stock and more tetras?

 

[FishAreFriendsNotFood10]

yes it would although i would leave the betta in your fluval edge, i have a roma 90 but i already want a bigger tank lol you could setup a nice small community like mine in the roma 90 though

 

[KittyKat]

I always leave a half inch at top of tank for the betta to breath.

Oh, that's great! If you're happy to keep doing that, you could, for example keep the Betta where he is now

Right, best order a new tank and start again. Was looking at the fluval roma 90 litres, would this be big enough for present stock and more tetras?

It would definitely be a great improvement could you post a photo of the pleco so that we can ID it? Here is the stocking I'd think about if I was upgrading like that..
* 1 (small) pleco
* 10 neon tetras
* 10 black neon tetra
* 1 platy
* 4 african dwarf frogs (please note: I do not know much about the frogs, so you might want to check with someone else to see if they'll fit)
* 1 Betta (or leave Betta in the Edge)

Please make sure you know about how to upgrade the filter properly or to cycle the new filter before moving tanks!

 

[Tiger777]

Many thanks for the replys, all helpful. Am really excited about getting my new tank especially as i've convinced hubby to get a 190 litre corner aquarium! Do you think the sailfin will be ok in that for a while?
Hadn't considered leaving the betta in the fluval edge, would he be happy in there on his own?
Will get a pic of the sailfin asap, am sure thats what he is?

 

[KittyKat]

Eugh, sailfins are a pain.. eventually, it will need a tank which is 4*2*2 ft in size, although I personally would not want to keep one in anything under 6*2*2 ft..

190 litre corner tank might be enough for half a year to a year for him, but isn't really much of a solution.

 

[Tiger777]

Thanks kitty cat for the advice, it certainly seems i will have to rehome the sailfin which is a shame as hes lovely but I wont be getting a tank bigger than 190 litres in the forseeable future!

 

[KittyKat]

I really like them too, but won't keep for the same reason.. on the other hand, there are plenty of smaller plecos who will fit nicely in a tank that size

 

[Tiger777]

Would you be able to suggest any?

 

[FishAreFriendsNotFood10]

i love bristlenose plecos they dont grow too big and u can keep a nice pair of them!

 

[KittyKat]

I personally keep bristlenoses and mustard spot panaques which are of suitable size. There is a list of small plecos in the pleco forum on here, basically a single pleco of any species under 4 inches will fit well maybe even 5-6 inches at a push..

 

[Tiger777]

Thanks guys, will check them out. Very excited now about new tank.

 

[NativeKeeper]

Welcome to the forum,