New Fluval Edge Stock Ok?

[fluval.edge3133]

Hi everyone,
 
New over here and just got my hands on a Fluval Edge recently, hoping anyone can give me some feedback for this setup:
Got stocked in:
 
- 2 clown loaches
- 2 fancy guppies
- 1 cory
- 1 black red tipped shark
- 1 platy
- 1 sliver bellied tetra (I think thats what it is, its the blue topped one in the 2nd pic)
 
I'm running a standard Fluval Edge 12gl with the standard filter, 25W heater at 26celsius 
white sand with some anubius and Vallisneria and 2x driftwood
 

My readings are currently:
 
PH: 7.5
Ammonia: 0.25
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 4mg
 
I've had the tank for around 5 weeks now and been doing around 1/3 water change every week.
10ml of Fluval Bio Enhancer with the changes and using Fluval Water Conditioner as well.
I feed the fish 6 nights a week with 2-3 sinking pellets and a sprinkle of dry flakes.
 

• The driftwood is leaking tannins but I heard this isn't necessarily bad?
• I was hoping to get a couple of ghost/glass shrimp in there as well over the next few weeks, is that too much?
• Can loaches share a cave with the shark? both loaches seem to hide in boat cave, with the shark in there as well - just all seem to be resting.

 
I've never owned a tropical fish tank and definitely appreciate any feedback!
Thanks
 
 
 

 

[fluttermoth]

Hi mate, welcome to the forum

I'm afraid I'm going to have to start off with the bad news....you have a lot of potential issues with your current stock;

the clown loach and the shark need rehoming, or returning to the shop, ASAP. Both species grow far too big (the clown loach to nearly a foot long!) to be able to live in your little tank.

both the corydoras and the tetra need to be in groups of at least six.

your tetra is a colour morph of the black widow tetra; they're one of the nippiest fish around, and it's probably going to start on your guppies at some point.

you have a mixture of soft water (tetra, loach, cory) and hard water (platy, guppy) fish; one or other group is not going to be too happy.
for you. If you do, get them to write down the actual numbers (this is most important!), not just say, "it's fine" or "a bit high".

The tannins from the bog wood are nothing to worry about, it's true, and soft water fish like them.

Sorry to be so negative on your first post, buddy, but you do need to sort your current stocking out before things go wrong and you end up with sick or even dead fish

 

[RCA]

Welcome to the forum, and good on you for asking the question. We are all still learning and are here to help each other.
Fluttermoth beat me to it, and has done well explaining the challenges with your current stock, sadly all the fish will suffer in there.
I own two Fluval Edges, 23L and 46L. Of the two I find the 23L is doing better, and tends to manage things a lot better. With the 46L, as with any tank, you have to be careful in particular with stocking it, as it has the same size filter as the 23L. Therefore, what happens is you think you have more space due to the amount of water, yet in essence the filter cannot handle a large bio-load. The fish you currently have in there will be too much for the filter.

Do some research and look into smaller schooling species as you will find you get far more pleasure from an aquarium that is correctly stocked. Look also at the amano shrimp, as these are fun to watch as well as doing a great job within the aquarium.

I would recommend once you have returned the fish, and hopefully got some store credit, you post here what you would like to have in the tank and we would all be happy to share our own experiences to help you and your fish.

Do not feel too bad, it has happened to us all on our fish keeping journey

Tell us a little about the store you go to, and distance from you? Helps us get a picture of what you have in the area. There are others from Australia on this forum and I am sure they will be in touch, or you could find them on here.

 

[fluval.edge3133]

Thanks for the reply guys, much appreciated for the feedback..

The shark, one guppy, platy and Cory all came with the tank originally about a month ago, I only added the rest of the fish a couple of days ago. The original 4 seemed pretty happy up until I put the 2nd lot of 4 in...

Disappointed the fish store didn't object to the Cory when the others were picked out.
I'm from Melbourne and used Amazing Amazon which were pretty good for everything else.

I'm looking to create a nice green tank with moss to cover the driftwood eventually and obviously need to consider the fish choices, I would most likely go down the soft water types...

Is there a better filter I can fit into the fluval edge?
Would a air bubble source in the tank help the situation?

Thanks Again!

 

[RCA]

When you say the fish came with the tank, did you get it secondhand with the fish included?

The lighting on this tank will not support the growth of moss, so you would need to reconsider.
Out of interest does it have the halogen bulbs or the new LED unit?

I have not looked into alternative filters for this tank. The best option would be if you could get one that would fit into the back section, that was deeper and thus would take more filter media. If I was to change mine I would probably go for an external filter situated outside the unit. However, it is unlikely I would do this, as there are other tanks I would probably prefer to invest in. Although never say never

A bubble unit would not resolve the issues you are facing, sorry, but it has already been stated, the fish in there will suffer.

Take a look at fish like Celeste Danios. A school of those with some shrimp would fair better. I have also been impressed with Peacock Gudgeons, lovely little fish. As are the Rasboras Espei.

Although some time ago, thought you might like to see this...
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/418423-aqua-one-320-to-fluval-edge-46l-project/