Stocking...again

[JenJ]

So Christmas is coming, and I guess that means a new tank. Which will be my third since I started fishkeeping a few months ago. MTS anyone?

I am keeping most of my current stock (in sig) with the exception of the guppies and possibly the rasboras.

I'd love to have a couple of rams, but bearing in mind the higher temp needed, I'd maybe keep them in an existing 60l tank, with the 6 sterbai cories as I think they do better at a higher temp too?

I want to keep the 7 albino cories in their current 60l tank, and keep either the honey or dwarf gouramis in there with them - whichever is least suited to the main tank.

In the main tank, I'd put whichever gouramis went best. I have the option of a 200l (100cm x 50cm x 40cm) tank or a 240l (120cm x 50cm x 40cm) tank. Given the bigger is significantly more expensive, I'd only get that if it meant I could have my dream stocking of clown loaches. Would the 4ft length be enough for 6 clowns?

If so, it would be 6 clowns, the gouramis and 2 schools of around 10 tetra/barb.

If not, it would be the 200l tank, with a snowball plec L102, the gouramis and 3 schools of around 10 tetra/barb.

My favourite tetra/barb, in order of preference:

diamond tetra
bleeding heart tetra
congo tetra
five banded barb
black phantom tetra
black widow tetra
flame tetra
rummynose tetra

Which of these would be best suited to the communities above?

Please point out if there are any glaring errors in compatibility - I've done some research but when one book is saying one thing, another something else, and your LFS contradicts both it's hard to know what is correct!

 

[Tuxyu3]

Would the 4ft length be enough for 6 clowns?

Nowhere near enough unfortunately.

The Tetra's/Barbs listed should be ok in a community (not all of them obviously).
I believe L102's need a meat-based diet (they are carnivores), they may be slightly large for 200 litres, though i think it should be ok depending on length and width.

I am not 100% sure but 60 litres may be a bit cramped for those Albino's they a quite chunky and can be pretty active.

 

[JenJ]

Yeah, as soon as I shut the page down, I realised the clowns would be too much, sadly.

I'll get the smaller tank and look into the L102 further.

The albinos are currently in my 60l and though very active, seem quite happy in there.

I'm torn between the top four or five of the tetra/barbs - maybe diamond, bleeding hearts and five banded barbs?

Thanks

 

[MrsM]

rummy nose

 

[JenJ]

Ha ha. I'm so going to end up getting rummynose, aren't I?

I'd want as big a group as possible of each - if I had one L102 as well, how many of each of rummynose, bleeding heart and congo tetra could I realistically fit into the 200l?

 

[MrsM]

is a l102 a snowball plec? how big does that get??
im not sure on stocking tbh...i asked loads of people on here and on other sites to be sure i what i could have in my tank....ive been told can get possiibly 3 more rummy in my tank(advice from lfs).....im not sure so im going to go and ask on bad mans tropical...they have a bit where you fill n a form and a real person gets back to you..not like aq advisor...thats bull! but they do say you can up the fish numbers a little more if you have the same kind...for example i could maybe fit in 3 more rummy but wouldnt put in 3 neons, not sure why...just been told that

 

[JenJ]

Yes, snowball plec - saw one on my first visit to my lfs and have hankered after one since. Generally grow to about 6" but can get to 12". I *believe* that advised min. tank size is 30g but 50g+ is recommended.

I would get more cories as I love them but have them in my other tanks so thought I'd go for something bigger in the main one.

I guess different species need their own 'space' whereas if the same species are hanging around in a group, there's more 'space' to share. Not actually sure if that sentence makes any sense!

 

[MrsM]

yeah, i get what your saying lol, pleco looks nice, real poop machines and have a big bioload so watch your stocking...id go with the rummynose and maybe the black widow tetra... 200L wow, how jelous am i right now!! i need a bigger house!!!!!!!!!! id just have a huge shoal of rummynose and some discus perhaps some corys to break up the bottom...awwwwww

 

[JenJ]

My boyfriend is getting a bit concerned - this will be my third tank in as many months

I've just started watching 'Tanked' though - have you seen it? You will most definitely be jealous!

 

[Tuxyu3]

Bioload is a non-existant issue if filtration is adequate and bacteria is up to scratch.

 

[MrsM]

Bioload is a non-existant issue if filtration is adequate and bacteria is up to scratch.

someone told me...sure it was you..that the bioload of pleco is big...sorry f i am mistaken.....

Yes, snowball plec - saw one on my first visit to my lfs and have hankered after one since. Generally grow to about 6" but can get to 12". I *believe* that advised min. tank size is 30g but 50g+ is recommended.

I would get more cories as I love them but have them in my other tanks so thought I'd go for something bigger in the main one.

I guess different species need their own 'space' whereas if the same species are hanging around in a group, there's more 'space' to share. Not actually sure if that sentence makes any sense!

ill do a search on the sky box for it...i do go abit geeky with the you tube vdeos... haha

My boyfriend is getting a bit concerned - this will be my third tank in as many months

I've just started watching 'Tanked' though - have you seen it? You will most definitely be jealous!

i actually meant to quote this comment haha, its late im goig to bed...plus someone is followng me around the threads and underminding any advice ive passed on.. grrrr

 

[Tuxyu3]

Bioload of a pleco is huge but the only warning to be taken from that is to make sure there is adequate filtration, they will need more than a similar sized fish but if the flow is good enough and the bacteria is built up enough they should be fine. Sorry if i am being confusing

Sorry MrsM

 

[dbanner]

Hey I noticed you said this will be your 3rd tank in as many months... That's how most of us start out lol when I started fish keeping 2 years back i got myself a little 40 litre thinking it would be big enough. How mistaken I was, since then iv had 9 other tanks ranging from 40 litres up to the tank I have now which is a jewel rio 400 (450 litres). I'm also going to be getting my 11th tank in February next year that will be 8 foot long and just over 850 litres word of advice is get the biggest tank you can fit in the space you have, may cost more upfront but will more than likely save you money in the long run.

As said above plecs do add quite a lot to the bio load so extra filtration is a must. As a guide if it was my tank id be looking for around 10x the tank volume per hour so if the tank is 200 litres you would need around 2000LPH (litres per hour) true water turnover. I'd go with 2 external filters. Something like 2 x fluval 306's or 2 x tetratec ex700's.

 

[MrsM]

I wish i had a huge tank, big enough for a pleco, ill just have to stick with my tiny 80L for now haha

Bioload of a pleco is huge but the only warning to be taken from that is to make sure there is adequate filtration, they will need more than a similar sized fish but if the flow is good enough and the bacteria is built up enough they should be fine. Sorry if i am being confusing

Sorry MrsM