New Direction

[Cal_]

I have had a 20 long for over a year now. It has lots of plants, white sand bottom and a large cave network. I have on it a emperor 400, 100 watt heater, air pump, and a co2 system. But all thats in it is 6 danios, and a betta. I use to have 3 clown loaches but didnt get a tank in time so gave them away to a friend, and everything else ethier was old, or I decided for the good of the tank to get rid of it. Now I want to really start from new, but which way should I go? I dont want anything that requires a lot of work. Here are my ideas....
Tank 1
-15 cardinals
-5 otos

Tank 2
-1 male convict

Tank 3
-10 cardinals
-1 skunk loach
-3 otos

Tank 4
-1 ram
-6 of a smaller loach (cant remeber the name!)

Suggestions is really what Im looking for so throw them out there.

 

[timmystood]

If your looking for a smaller tank to compliment the one you've got them do what I have done.
A 54 litre tank holding 6 head + tail tetras, one betta and eventually 2 cherry or ghost shrimp.

It's a good little eco-system! and I love watching the colours of the tetras, the stunning looks of the betta and i'm looking forward to seeing the colourless shrimp!

It's an idea for ya!

 

[modernhamlet]

I'd sorta combine 1 and 4

Tank 1
-15 cardinals
-5 otos

Tank 4
-1 ram
-6 of a smaller loach (cant remeber the name!)

8 cardinals
2 ram
4 otos

Perfect for the mature planted tank you describe.

 

[SkiFletch]

8 cardinals
2 ram
4 otos

Perfect for the mature planted tank you describe.

I agree, thats a good thought. I went with some guppies, cardinals, and ottos with my 20, but modernhamlet's suggestion is very good as well

 

[Cal_]

Well I totally forgot I have 1 male ram, but I like the idea, other suggestions are welcome but Im going in the carnidal-oto direction, plus I love my mlae ram so he is here to stay, I dont know if I want to get him a female.

 

[Cal_]

I got rid of my bettas today and Im paning to get rid of the danios tommarow. I was at the lfs and was looking at jewels, which I have considered in the past but Im not sure. If I was to get 2 jewels what should I get for algue control or is it even possible?

 

[SkiFletch]

well, if you remove all your fish make SURE you are adding ammonia daily to keep your bacteria fed. if you dont, they'll die off and you'll have to re-cycle the tank

 

[Cal_]

I know, the ram is staying until the new fish are added, which so far Im thinking a red jewel male, and a different coloration for the female.

 

[freddyk]

I know, the ram is staying until the new fish are added, which so far Im thinking a red jewel male, and a different coloration for the female.

Jewels are pretty active and aggressive African riverine fish and although it might work with just the single specimens involved I wouldn't do it.

Remember that you just can't add a female to the tank, the chances are it would create problems. While I would always recommend a female (monogomous cichlids are so much better in behavior and color with a mate) you would need to work out a pair by giving him a few females to choose from.