Looking At Getting Plants Tomorrow?

[pompeydaz]

Hi people I'm looking at getting some plants tomorrow, mainly for air really. Which ones do you recommend?

I have a 64ltr tank, I have a airpump interpet ap2 in it at the moment, but at night its pretty loud so wanted to be able to turn it off at night and use the air from the plants? I also have a interpet af3 filter.

Ive got some platys, bristlenose plec, a large silver shark, acouple of firemouths and a gourmis.

Im sure I saw something saying a platys will just rip them up or something??

Thanks for any advice

 

[KittyKat]

Plants:
Anubias barteri var. nana - attach to wood or rocks
Anubias barteri var. nana "petite" (all colour morphs) - attach to wood or rocks
all Bacopa species
water sprite (Ceratopteris species)
Cryptocoryne beckettii and wendtii (all colour morphs)
Hygrophila corymbosa, difformis and polysperma (all colour morphs)
Ludwigia repens
Marsilea hirsuta
Java fern (all morphs) - attach to wood or rocks
Rotala rotundifolia
Java moss (all morphs) - attach to wood or rocks
Vallis (Vallisneria spiralis or torta)

The platy won't bother the plants, it's mollies to try to shred them.

Filter/air pump/aeration:
PF2 should be enough without the need for an airpump at all for a well stocked tank (which yours is not, see below). Aim the filter output in such a way that it disturbs the surface the most, that is how oxygen gets into the water. Plants only produce CO[sub]2[/sub] at night anyway and unless you heavily plant your tank, they won't make much of a difference to the oxygen content of the water, assuming you get plenty of surface movement anyway.

Stocking:
You current stocking is plain cruel, even if the fish are still young:
* bristlenose plec should have at least a 3*1*1 ft aquarium
* a large silver shark is a large, schooling fish so should be kept in groups of 6+ in aquariums which are 6+*2*2 ft in size
* a couple of firemouths need a much larger tank, again
* a gourmi can fit, so long as it's adult size is under 2", so dwarf, honey, sparking are all ok (+ a few rarer ones)

If you are willing to listen, we will be happy to come up with better stocking for you, and help you with the plant selection.

 

[pompeydaz]

OH DEAR!

right so I don't really need the air pump, as the filter can be moved above the water and changed so it blows bubbles.

the large sharks I missed the s last time I have two, they are both fairly young but thought maybe too big. The fishmouths seem alright and same with the gourmis.

Do you suggest I get rid of the sharks then? My local pet shop normal buy fish off you so could try them.

 

[KittyKat]

The sharks definitely have to go, or they will be stunted.. from having looked after them before, an average 60 litre aquarium is only suitable for them until they are 1 inch in length.

The firemouths will turn around one day and kill everything else in the tank, they will also be stunted if they don't get a bigger home.

The bristlenose will also be stunted in a tank that size.

Gouramis? There is more then one? Species?

Stunting normally shortens the fish's lifespan and causes it to have health problems.

 

[jacko32]

OH DEAR!

right so I don't really need the air pump, as the filter can be moved above the water and changed so it blows bubbles.

the large sharks I missed the s last time I have two, they are both fairly young but thought maybe too big. The fishmouths seem alright and same with the gourmis.

Do you suggest I get rid of the sharks then? My local pet shop normal buy fish off you so could try them.

its not the bubbles that are important for good oxygen levels in the water the key to that is good water movement across the surface just set the outlet of your filter close to the suface so you can see the water flowing over it.

i would re home the shark and the firemouths asap

 

[pompeydaz]

no I only have one gourmis not sure how its actually spelt though. I'm at work at the moment but will post a picture of it later.

Ok I will get rid of the sharks and firemouths. The bristelnose plec was suggested by acouple of shops, its pretty small and doesnt get that much bigger apparently.

 

[pompeydaz]

OH DEAR!

right so I don't really need the air pump, as the filter can be moved above the water and changed so it blows bubbles.

the large sharks I missed the s last time I have two, they are both fairly young but thought maybe too big. The fishmouths seem alright and same with the gourmis.

Do you suggest I get rid of the sharks then? My local pet shop normal buy fish off you so could try them.

its not the bubbles that are important for good oxygen levels in the water the key to that is good water movement across the surface just set the outlet of your filter close to the suface so you can see the water flowing over it.

i would re home the shark and the firemouths asap

Yeah I'm going to re home the sharks and firemouths today.

Yeah ok, I will move the pump up so it trickles out up the top. so air pump not needed at all then? I might still leave it on, then during the night turn it off till I wake up. That should ok shouldnt it?

 

[KittyKat]

Yes, that should be fine.

Before you re-home the firemouths, think about it some more. If you really like them and want to keep them, it would be worth considering getting a 3 or 4 ft tank as opposed to getting rid of them.. it is not impossible to pick them up for about £50 or so, second hand.

My male bristlenose is 6" and my largest female is 5". There is a list of small plecos in the pleco forum on here; I would only consider a 2.5" pleco for a 60 litre aquarium.

LFS are trying to make money out of you, we get no benefit from giving you advice.. ok, I have had people send me a thank you card or some plants about 5 times or so in the 10 odd years I've been helping on forums.. but that is pretty much it.

 

[pompeydaz]

Yes, that should be fine.

Before you re-home the firemouths, think about it some more. If you really like them and want to keep them, it would be worth considering getting a 3 or 4 ft tank as opposed to getting rid of them.. it is not impossible to pick them up for about £50 or so, second hand.

My male bristlenose is 6" and my largest female is 5". There is a list of small plecos in the pleco forum on here; I would only consider a 2.5" pleco for a 60 litre aquarium.

LFS are trying to make money out of you, we get no benefit from giving you advice.. ok, I have had people send me a thank you card or some plants about 5 times or so in the 10 odd years I've been helping on forums.. but that is pretty much it.

the firemouths are probably only about 2" if that, the plec is about 1" this is a pic of my gourmis and will attach the firemouth which is bigger of the two

 

[KittyKat]

That's a lace gourami, also needs a 3-4ft tank >.< ..that sounds more and more like the best option for you..

Yeah, 1" is nowhere near adult.. if you don't believe me, check on planetcatfish (the best catfish resource I know of).

 

[pompeydaz]

Ok so if I get rid of the sharks today, and keep the others for now with the intention of getting a bigger tank in a month or so do you reckon that would be alright?

I might get rid of one of the firemouths, do you think that would be alright?

 

[KittyKat]

I think that will work, but you have to be quite sure that you really can get a bigger tank

If the firemouths are still very small, then both should be ok for a month in the current tank.. but if they're over 1.5", it probably is better to at least lend one to your LFS's display tank for a few weeks or sell him/give him away. It's also a good idea to try and sex them.

 

[pompeydaz]

Right got rid of the sharks and firemouths. They look really good in my cousins tank. Thanks for your help