Newbie Here And Questions

[lee1978]

Hi I had a very small temperate tank which had 2 WCMM and some shrimp and snail and decided on looking for a new tank to have a tropical tank which my wife bought me a 65 l as an early xmas present ( although I know 65l is still on small side but it will do whilst im begining). After cycling tank for 8 weeks I moved WCMM,Shrimp and snail over, but lost 1 WCMM and snail and 1 shrimp disappeared altogether? My main question is on stocking I have the 1 WCMM (not sure if to move him back to temperate tank?) and 3 shrimp but want to gradually add more fish and confused on what and how many I can add? Do I have to have an algae eater? (not having much problem with algae anyway) I would like a range of fish but would love suggestions on stocking please? and the only other trouble  my only LFS (3  within 40 minute drive) is a large chain and dont seem to give the best advice and all stock the same fish.

 

[the_lock_man]

Personally, I would say yes to moving the WCMM back to the temperate tank.
 
A 65l doesn't give you a huge amount of room, but you can still do a decent display with that.
 
First off, though, what pH is your water? This will guide us to what species are suitable for you. The other thing, if your 3 LFS all have the same stock, we need to know what they stock, and what from that selection you like. Something I often to say to people in your position is to go window shopping - pop into your LFS, see what they've got that you like, note down their names, and we can draw up a potential stock list or two.
 
And, no, you don't have to have an algae eater.

 

[lee1978]

Thank you for the reply, I am going to retest my levels asap and make a trip to my LFS on the weekend and post back here as soon as I can to get some good advice on stocking and levels I know 65l isnt huge but would like to see how I go for a while and then hopefully upgrade in the future.

 

[fluttermoth]

What size is the temperate tank?
 
And what are the dimensions of the 65l?

 

[lee1978]

The 65l is 65 x 37.5 x 52 cm and not sure about the temperate tank at work at the moment will get that when get home.

 

[AquariumGuides]

Definitely don't get an algae eater, most probably couldn't fit well fully grown in that tank.
 
If you are just looking for suggestions and don't have any particular preferences or restrictions, I would say that a school of cardinal tetras could look quite nice in a smaller tank like that. 

 

[lee1978]

My lfs stocks the following ( I know some are too big but listing what they have)
xl assorted gourami
xl corydoras
male dwarf gourami
xray tetra
harlequin
cherry barb
glow light tetra
assorted play
male guppy
pepperd corydoras
danios
neon tetra
cardianl tetra
 
what out of them could I realistically have to make an intersting display, I would like a variety but know am ltd due to size.

 

[Munroco]

As Aquarium guides said, hard to beat cardinals for looks. A shoal of cherry barbs would also be nice, with the advantage that you might be able to breed from them. Some dwarf corys would also be good, but they don't appear on the list. Most of the fish you listed would be fine with shrimp too, except for possibly the gouramis.

 

[lee1978]

thats great thank you, I also like the looks of cardinals and cherry barbs how many of each could I get away with? and if I can get dwarf corys as well how many would you recommend?And also what and how many should I add first?

 

[fluttermoth]

Have you found out the hardness of your water? It will say somewhere on your suppliers website.
 
It's not really possible for us to suggest the best fish species without knowing that

 

[lee1978]

Having problems with their website but I live in London and believe it is a hard water area and I have just receieved my master test kit so when home from work I can also find out my PH levels.

 

[lee1978]

I tested my levels last night and got some time to go and some more water changies before adding more fish as levels read:
Ammonia:0.50
Nitrite:0
Nitrate:40ppm
PH: colour was not an exact match but was slightly darker than 7.4 and bu lighter than 7.6
and water compant said water was hard 260ppm if that means anything?

 

[b3cca]

If it is 260 ppm then it's not ideal for blackwater fish
 
For a detailed list from your area Just stick you postcode in here : - https/my.thameswater.co.uk/dynamic/cps/rde/xchg/corp/hs.xsl/899.htm

 

[Munroco]

I'd reckon 6 of each of these 3 species should be ok, they are all small fish so I think you be within safe stocking levels. When I started this tank, the first fish I added were cardinals and they did ok, apart from one suicidal one who I found on the floor.
 
Just noticed your water stats, it is a bit on the hard side for cardinals.

 

[NickAu]

 
PH: colour was not an exact match but was slightly darker than 7.4 and bu lighter than 7.6

I had the same problem, Wondering is it 7.2 or 7.4 because of colour, To solve that I got one of these.

Digital LCD Display Waterproof PH Pen Tester for Aquarium Pool Tank Water Test
 
I would love to have something similar that tests everything in 1 hit, I would happily pay $150  for  it.