Starting A 20-Gallon Tank...what Algae-Eaters Might Work With Bolivian

[Aquarium]

My husband is currently building the stand for the aquarium, so I'm still in research phase...

I have decided I definitely want a Bolivian Ram (or 2...still researching that). I've read on a couple of forums how Red Cherry Shrimp can work with the Ram if you have a large, reproducing population of the shrimp...the Ram will eat them and keep them under control. But I'm wondering if a smaller tank like a 20-gallon would look messy with 40-50 tiny red shrimp running around. I guess I could keep rehoming the shrimp, but not really sure if it is realistic to think I can keep a stable and reasonable population with the help of the Ram.

Bottom line--my heart is set on the Ram, and the second most important thing to me is that algae is controlled as much as possible by an algae eater. I'm willing to do sizable (and obviously weekly) water changes (though hoping for no more than 20%) if needed but want to keep the muck cleanup to a minimum. If the shrimp won't work, I like the smaller cories (especially the pygmy and the albino), but I'm not sure how the Ram will like having other bottom feeders down there with him/her...I would love suggestions on small algae eaters! (I don't really like snails but will consider them as a last resort.

Other info. on proposed tank: it is a 20-gallon high (24" wide x 13" deep x 17" high: It's an Aqueon start-up kit, so everything's fairly basic); am planning to have a dark/midnight blue background, a mix of fake and low-light requirement real plants like the Anubis, dark gravel substrate, and some slate or artifical rock/cave/etc. formations. Other fish in the aquarium will probably be a small school of either tetras or rasboras and maybe a guppy (for my daughter--she really wants a bright colored fish!). Also, have a great LFS that has a pretty diverse stock of fresh water tropicals and will put you on a special order list if you ask.

Thanks for any responses!

 

[twodoctors]

My husband is currently building the stand for the aquarium, so I'm still in research phase...

I have decided I definitely want a Bolivian Ram (or 2...still researching that). I've read on a couple of forums how Red Cherry Shrimp can work with the Ram if you have a large, reproducing population of the shrimp...the Ram will eat them and keep them under control. But I'm wondering if a smaller tank like a 20-gallon would look messy with 40-50 tiny red shrimp running around. I guess I could keep rehoming the shrimp, but not really sure if it is realistic to think I can keep a stable and reasonable population with the help of the Ram.

Bottom line--my heart is set on the Ram, and the second most important thing to me is that algae is controlled as much as possible by an algae eater. I'm willing to do sizable (and obviously weekly) water changes (though hoping for no more than 20%) if needed but want to keep the muck cleanup to a minimum. If the shrimp won't work, I like the smaller cories (especially the pygmy and the albino), but I'm not sure how the Ram will like having other bottom feeders down there with him/her...I would love suggestions on small algae eaters! (I don't really like snails but will consider them as a last resort.

Other info. on proposed tank: it is a 20-gallon high (24" wide x 13" deep x 17" high: It's an Aqueon start-up kit, so everything's fairly basic); am planning to have a dark/midnight blue background, a mix of fake and low-light requirement real plants like the Anubis, dark gravel substrate, and some slate or artifical rock/cave/etc. formations. Other fish in the aquarium will probably be a small school of either tetras or rasboras and maybe a guppy (for my daughter--she really wants a bright colored fish!). Also, have a great LFS that has a pretty diverse stock of fresh water tropicals and will put you on a special order list if you ask.

Thanks for any responses!

I have no experience with Rams or shrimps, but fishes in general will eat all they can. Not sure how your shrimp idea will work.

I have sajica cichlids (bigger than rams) with 6 corys and they are fine together. The cichlids will occasionally chase them away but the corys aren't too bothered by them. Rams are less aggressive so I suspect it will not be a problem.

Having an algae eater does not mean you can slack on tank maintainence. They don't eat all algae either. If you keep your nitrate level low and lights-on period to recommended level (8 hours usually) then algae is not a major issue.

As for stocking, personally I would check your water pH and then match it with the fish. Altering pH is an expensive exercise.

Adrian

 

[karin]

Albino corys would work fine with rams but the cory prefers a sand substrate as they sift through it. Gravel can hurt their barbels. Many people have them on gravel but make certain it is round and smooth. Especially some of the black gravels out there are very sharp edged. I was not willing to try my pygmy corys with my full grown bolivian rams. Might have been okay but the pygmys are so small. I had amano shrimp with my rams and the rams left them alone.

You might want to look into otocinclus catfish IF your algae starts to grow on the glass. Don't get them before as they can starve without algae to eat and do better in more established tanks.

 

[Aquarium]

Thanks, both responses are very helpful to me. I'll go ahead and check my water's pH and maybe not worry about the algae-control yet...I guess my memories of very sad/dirty fish bowls as a young child has given me a fear of algae...Michaela

 

[Aquarium]

Also, I'm about to start another topic--question about the location of the tank...

 

[waterdrop]

tanks location, let's see... out of direct sunlight, low on people traffic (meaning locations that raise the chance of accidental hits from people or the things they are trying to do,) reasonable help from the house heating (not too much direct cold, hot etc.,) reasonable access to your plan for water changes and other maintenance. All of this assumes the weight was previously thought about with respect to floor foundation (not likely to be a problem with a 20g.) I'm sure there are others - the list of these sorts of things can get long.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Aquarium]

Thanks, I'm putting mine near an exterior door...I've heard so many opinions about why this is bad or really not that big of deal...just going to do it and monitor the fish/temps. I understand that ideally, you keep fish in the safest, most ideal location possible--but if they're so hidden away you can't enjoy them or it's difficult to get back into that corner to care for them, what's the point?