Small tank maintenance

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Metermaid

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I have bought a slimline 18 inch tank for the kitchen - it only holds around 18 litres. It has been up and running for a month or so and all seems well, crystal clear water - I only have an ammonia test kit and have been doing part changes as soon as it shows any sign of rising. I am wondering if this regime is enough or if I should be testing for nitrate and nitrite - I am aware that the smaller the tank the more trouble it is to keep stable....any troubleshooting advice would be welcome

Thanks

Rita
 
it's always better to make sure your ammonia and nitrites are 0, and nitrates in check.

however, if you do regular weekly water changes, you can skip the nitrate part.
 
What fish do you keep in it.
 
I was rather hoping you wouldn't ask me that...as I know it's over-stocked

2 golden barbs
3 penguin tetras
1 Odessa barb
1 Tiger barb
2 Corys
1 Ancistrus

:-(
 
They are all in a 3gal never, can't believe it, none of them fish should be in that size tank, you will have to take some of them, probably all of them back to the lfs, and pick a fish like a betta.
 
I think that articles a bit OTT, it says don't use the inch/gallon for anything bigger than a neon. I use it for platys and mollies, then when it comes to bigger fish like common plecs I think surface area, dimensions of tank etc. EG, for a common plec that would grow about a foot long, no less then 2ft wide (backwards), and for platys, inch/gallon and judging by looks :) All you can get for your tank is a betta, I'm afraid. What are the exact dimensions? Is it filtered? If not you will need 50-100% water changes every day IMO.
 
I'm surprised they are all still breathing.
 
Ok..point made - I am feeling pretty bad right now, I mean a very reputable retailer sold me this tank and the fish, I honestly believed that as long as I was vigilant with water quality checks and changes that all would be well. I feel stupid that I did not take 'room to swim' and fish characteristics etc into consideration...I have had a 3 foot tank many year ago...so I should know better. I also feel mortified because I would never knowingly do anything to subject the fish to distress - the tank looks so nice and I just adore watching the fish. Obviously I will have to do something about the situation - ie get rid of all the fish and use the tank to breed snails :(
 
I just e-mailed the tank manufacturers to ask what they suggest in terms of stocking the tank I bought...here is their answer...


Hi,



Thanks for your enquiry. The GPS-440 Slim bow front aquarium will be OK for approx 20-25 small tropicals such as neos, danios, platties, tetras etc. If you want to keep bigger fish such as angels and gouramis etc, then obviously this figure would be less – perhaps 10-12.



It is always a difficult question to answer, but I suggest you start with a few fish and progressively add until you feel it is sufficient. The filtration in these tanks is excellent, so you will have no problems in this respect.
 
that tank is 7.9USg (=29.8 litres)...but that many fish is still a ridiculous thing for the manufacturer to claim!
 
We no beginners make mistakes don't blame you, I blame the lfs that sold you the fish in the first place, as they should no better, hope you manage to sort things out, then you can enjoy the hobby.
 
If the manufacturers advice is anything to go by then I am not surprised that retail businesses misinform their customers through not considering the welfare of the livestock.

I have 5 neons, 3 panda cories, 2 otos and 1 ADF (recently evacuated from the betta tank) in a 30L tank and consider myself over-stocked. Fortunately my filter is very efficient and all the fish occupy different zones in the tank. Not sure how the ADF will do, but I think the betta was un-nerving it.
 

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