Right, What Now?

[H. Houdini]

Ok, so I've installed my new tank and filter. I've transferred all the fish and filter from my old tank. I've monitored the readings, and everything is fine. I've euthanised my very sick female swordtail (RIP) and I've finished the treatment I was recommended in the TFE section. Now.........

I'm going to get the guppies out. I didn't want them and they are EVERYWHERE! Unfortunately I'm not in a position like many of you where I can take them to my LFS. They won't even take my fry due to "quarantine", though I bet they don't quarantine any stock that's for sale for more than five minutes (this applies to any LFS in my city, nobody wants my babies). Therefore I have no choice but to take the guppies out and give them a chance to run from the turtles.

I'll then have.........

6 female mollies
2 male mollies
2 female swordtail
2 male swordtail (one is still a baby)
1 plec
1 apple snail
6 cherry shrimp
and about 6 mollie/swordtail fry

First question......

I don't want anything big, but I'd like something on the different levels of the tank. Small, colourful and lively. What do people suggest?

Second question.....

I can't find anything other than retailers selling fish here. Does anyone know of, or better still could recommend, anybody in Germany? I'm only 2 hours from Berlin, but a company that would send to me would be better for obvious reasons.

Any advice/and or help will be gratefully received.

Regards

Harry

 

[H. Houdini]

Any suggestions/advice?

 

[waterdrop]

Well I'd remind the members of your tank size, water stats (perhaps you have relatively hard water, which your livebearers, especially mollys would like.)

Also, I'd take a look at what local shops you -do- have and perhaps mention some ones you've seen there as that would give people a starting point to comment on.

Yes, if you could find a European shipper, that would be a big step forward!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[H. Houdini]

Sorry, suppose I should have thought about writing those details.

As it says in the subject, it's a 250 litre tank.

PH is 8
Amonia 0pph
Nitrite 0pph
Nitrate 5pph

The nitrate reading is low because I had to do an 80% water change after some treatment.

 

[waterdrop]

Any idea if the water is generally hard or soft?

 

[H. Houdini]

Hard! I don't need to worry about calcium for the turtles!

Sorry Waterdrop. I meant to add that, as you can see, I'm in Poland. However, I'm English and my command of the Polish language leaves a little to be desired! I hope you get the drift! Also, I posted this on beginners because, well, that's what I am!

 

[waterdrop]

Well I'm not the greatest with stocking advice but I just thought I'd ask you those questions to set up the members with more info to help you. The mollies and swords you already have will be most comfortable in the hard water you have, it will not be the favorite of the south american tetras and things that like their water to be more soft and acid. Although if the hardness and pH are -stable- you'll have a reasonable chance with most freshwater tropicals sold at the LFS.

~~waterdrop~~