Over Crowding Issue?

[boog3ee]

greetings!
So, i'll try to be brief but explain the whole story:
About a month ago i got a 320 liter tank, planted it and stocked it with 12 tiger barbs and two 4cm long common plecos, i added a sponge fully loaded with bacteria to my new filter (my petshop owner is a helpful friend) and with diligent water changes (20 - 30% every two days) my water readings did not show any ammonia or nitrites through out the month.
The initial idea was not to keep the barbs but to use them for the cycling period as my research showed that they are hardy fish, and i was supposed to give them back to the pet shop once i received the other fish that i want to keep since they are not compatible. But they turned out to be really cool and beautiful fish and they are really flourishing, so i really dont want to give them back to be sold to some idiot who may end up killing them!
So, i have another 24 gallon (92 liter) tank, do you think its big enough for 12 tiger barbs and 2 small common plecos? i know the plecos grow really big, but can this work for a few months at least till i can afford a bigger aquarium?

 

[KittyKat]

Yes, it can. Make sure to move at least the same amount of sponge over to the small tank to seed it, as you did with the large one.

Also make sure to feed the plecos so they don't starve.. and are you really sure you will be able to get at least a 5*2*2 ft tank for them? (Personally, I wouldn't keep them in anything under 6*2*2 ft.) It may be worth taking them back now, before you get too attached to them..

 

[boog3ee]

Yes, it can. Make sure to move at least the same amount of sponge over to the small tank to seed it, as you did with the large one.

Also make sure to feed the plecos so they don't starve.. and are you really sure you will be able to get at least a 5*2*2 ft tank for them? (Personally, I wouldn't keep them in anything under 6*2*2 ft.) It may be worth taking them back now, before you get too attached to them..

I think you are right, im considering returning the plecos, but can you suggest an algae eater that can withstand the scrutiny of tiger barbs and doesnt grow to become a monster?!

 

[coldcazzie]

there is a thread somewhere that has a list of plecs that do not grow over 6-8 inches and so are suitable for a smaller aquarium, but for the life of me I can't find it anywhere! maybe someone else can find it? sorry that's not much help at the moment!

 

[KittyKat]

^ the list is in the pleco forum.

I would be looking at a single 4" pleco for a 3ft tank of 90 litres.

 

[boog3ee]

How about a siamese algae eater? they are extremely fast swimmers so the tiger barbs wont be able to hurt it! and maybe i'll get it in a few weeks too after the aquarium is up and running and has algae!

 

[Tizer]

i was about to suggest flying foxs also, i have a couple, they grow quick