Stocking Advice.

[KateT]

Maybe a little prematurely, as I've not even started cycling my tank yet - I'm thinking about what I'm going to put in it when it's ready.

I want a community tank - with lots of pretty colours and fairly active, but not aggressive fish and also something 'sucky' - catfish, loaches etc, because I love them.

The tank is a Juwel Rekord 96.

My preliminary list (bearing in mind I am a newbie so may have chosen totally inappropriate fish!) :

4 zebra loaches
6 guppies (m)
6 danios
2 cherry shrimp

Is that a workable community? Could I fit any more in/have I overstocked?

 

[Jamepsss]

Maybe a little prematurely, as I've not even started cycling my tank yet - I'm thinking about what I'm going to put in it when it's ready.

I want a community tank - with lots of pretty colours and fairly active, but not aggressive fish and also something 'sucky' - catfish, loaches etc, because I love them.

The tank is a Juwel Rekord 96.

My preliminary list (bearing in mind I am a newbie so may have chosen totally inappropriate fish!) :

4 zebra loaches
6 guppies (m)
6 danios
2 cherry shrimp

Is that a workable community? Could I fit any more in/have I overstocked?

Looks like a sensible stocking plan for your tank but in fairness you could probably fit a little more in there, especially once the tank is matured.

If you're after colour have you considered Cardinal Tetras instead of the Danios? Probably the most colourful little fish out there.

 

[KateT]

I was umming and ahhing over danios v tetras and the reason I chose the danios in the end is that they (so I've read) are hardier and do well as the first fish into a tank whereas tetras are better with more mature tanks and would have to wait 6 months to put them in (which I don't mind doing, but then I wouldn't know who to put in first!) The other reason is that they are apparently top to mid dwellers, and I've tried to even the tank out a bit.

 

[KittyKat]

That's 81 x 31 x 46 cm tank. Basically, that's not too bad a stocking, but let me have a go at it..

4 zebra loaches - ok, will eat shrimp but a bit on the large, but will fit if you definitely want them.. I would suggest 6-8 dwarf chain loaches as a better (smaller) alternative.. whichever you go for, they MUST have sand
6 guppies (m) - ok, but might not survive the danios and are usually very fragile
6 danios- ok, but might be a bit boistrous for the guppies and shrimp.. maybe a school of 10 harlequin, hengeli or espei rasboras instead? my favourite "beginner" fish, all three of them
2 cherry shrimp - will be eaten by loaches..

As for numbers, here is what I would stock:
* 6-8 dwarf chain loaches
* 10-12 rasboras of one species
* 1 Betta or 1 dwarf gourami

 

[KittyKat]

I was umming and ahhing over danios v tetras and the reason I chose the danios in the end is that they (so I've read) are hardier and do well as the first fish into a tank whereas tetras are better with more mature tanks and would have to wait 6 months to put them in (which I don't mind doing, but then I wouldn't know who to put in first!) The other reason is that they are apparently top to mid dwellers, and I've tried to even the tank out a bit.

There isn't much difference between danios and, for example, cardinal tetras in their hardyness and most definitely none at all compared to the rasboras I suggested so all of those can be added immediately on completion of cycle There are some species such as neon tetras who are not particularly hardy and do require a more mature set-up, but we can easily help you with which ones are good and which ones are not.

 

[KateT]

Could I have a shoal of cardinal tetras and a shoal of rasboras? I was looking at a dwarf gourami, but decided against it as the internet said he would eat guppies. But I suppose if I don't have guppies it's no problem (I did really quite fancy some guppies - they are so pretty, but I've heard a few too many times now that increased inbreeding has led them to be fragile).

The dwarf chain loaches are pretty, I don't think I would mind bailing out on the zebras for them - I assume fishkeeping is one of those hobbies where the tanks get bigger and bigger anyway - so maybe one day!

 

[KittyKat]

Could I have a shoal of cardinal tetras and a shoal of rasboras? I was looking at a dwarf gourami, but decided against it as the internet said he would eat guppies. But I suppose if I don't have guppies it's no problem (I did really quite fancy some guppies - they are so pretty, but I've heard a few too many times now that increased inbreeding has led them to be fragile).

Yes, that would work too. So..
* 6-8 dwarf chain loaches
* 6 rasboras of one species
* 6 cardinals
* 1 Betta or 1 dwarf gourami

In all honesty, I quite like guppies too, probably mostly because they were my first tropical fish, but I would most definitely not wish my first experience at tropical fishkeeping onto anyone else. It feels now like that tank was never medication free and I went through a lot of fish to get a steady group which would not die on me at a blink of an eye.

Also even with the above stocking, there will be room for more rasboras and cardinals (maybe up to 8-10 each), but it's probably better to start with fewer and add some later depending on how you feel.

The dwarf chain loaches are pretty, I don't think I would mind bailing out on the zebras for them - I assume fishkeeping is one of those hobbies where the tanks get bigger and bigger anyway - so maybe one day!

It does seem like that.. also the loaches would benefit from some plants along the back of the tank (As will the other fish) so you should try some of the simpler ones when the time comes

 

[KateT]

Sorry, I have another question but don't want to start a whole new thread for fear of pestering everyone

My tank is 2nd hand - the people who had it before me had it for 3 years I think.

I didn't want to use the internal filter so I have ordered an external (Eheim 2215) filter. How does the process of speeding up the cycling process work with old media? Can somebody explain what I need to do? As soon as it's been delivered I hope to start the cycle

 

[KittyKat]

I didn't want to use the internal filter so I have ordered an external (Eheim 2215) filter. How does the process of speeding up the cycling process work with old media? Can somebody explain what I need to do? As soon as it's been delivered I hope to start the cycle

You need to take the media (sponges/ceramic noodles/ceramic balls) from a tank which is currently running with fish or an ammonia source and transfer them into the new filter (preferably so water goes through them before any new media). That is all seeding is

If you are willing to experiment, try adding some SafeStart.. it appears to be that it may (or may not, not enough data yet) speed up the process by 1-2 weeks without seeding. Traditionally we treat such cycle aids as water (so, useless), but maybe..? Who knows.. I would be interested in your readings diary if you do use it, so please give me a shout.