Stocking Some Guppies...

[ATK!!!]

Right so as the title sugests I am going to get some MALE Guppies this weekend for my Biube's final stocking. Here are the stats:

35l Biube that has been set up for 7ish months

2 male Platy
6 cardinal tetra
4 Crystal red shrimp
1 Zebra nerite snail

This is a rather heavily planted that contains many hiding spaces for fish, there have been no fighting whatsoever between my fish and I would like it to stay this way!

Ammonia and Nitrites are constantly 0 and Nitrates stay at around 20ppm. The pH is a little high but is almost always the same: 7.4.

So how many can I get (not fancy guppies but usual ones with small tails.)

 

[StandbySetting]

I'd add 4 or so Guppy's.

 

[lilfishie]

with all males i'd say 5 to reduce any aggression

 

[minnnt]

Can i just ask, if using the inch of fish per gallon rule, isn't it already overstocked? Don't get me wrong, most of my tanks have been overstocked at some point so i'm not knocking you/anyone just wanted to ask the question as i'm curious?!

Cheers.

 

[StandbySetting]

Yes if you use that rule, however the rule isn't a very good one.

 

[minnnt]

Yes if you use that rule, however the rule isn't a very good one.

LOL, ok. What's a better one then?

 

[StandbySetting]

They're all terrible, non of them actually take into consideration the volume of waste produced, the rules are only for beginners, using your own experience and judgement is much better.

 

[minnnt]

They're all terrible, non of them actually take into consideration the volume of waste produced, the rules are only for beginners, using your own experience and judgement is much better.

Cheers. I suppose when you filter in plants too (no pun intended) then you possibly have the ability to stock a few more than this rule would suggest.

 

[thisguyek]

I agree with the plants. If you do a little more in water changes, can't you get away with more as well?

 

[This Old Spouse]

I'm not going to tell you how many fish I have in my 15g, but it's technically too many by any standards. Funny thing, though, is the stats are spot on and everybody is doing really well. I do water changes every few days, though, just to keep everybody healthy.

It's like this because of a couple of rescues, and will stay this way until I switch out the substrate to sand in my 55g. I'm picking up the sand and big tub tomorrow.

 

[ATK!!!]

Sorry I haven't replied but I've been a tad busy! There's some very helpful answers here so thanks guys Btw remember to take into consideration that the shrimp eat basically nothing (I've only fed them successfully about 5 times since I got them around a month ago as the fish always nab the food) So 4-5 would be ok.... I'll have to adjust the flow of the air pump slightly so it doesn't rip their fins. I suppose if there are any problems I could always move some fish to the Rio (When my dad finally decides to buy it!). I don't do water changes that often though, about 60-70% every 3 weeks. Would this be sufficient?

 

[This Old Spouse]

I'd be doing 60-70% each week, especially if you add in half a dozen new fish into such a small tank. The shrimp will eat nearly microscopic pieces of food off the bottom, as well as some other goop so not to worry too much about them in that regard.

Do keep a close watch on your stats once you add the new fish to see how it all works out. Good luck!

 

[ATK!!!]

I'd be doing 60-70% each week, especially if you add in half a dozen new fish into such a small tank. The shrimp will eat nearly microscopic pieces of food off the bottom, as well as some other goop so not to worry too much about them in that regard.

Do keep a close watch on your stats once you add the new fish to see how it all works out. Good luck!

Ok thanks! The shrimp are doing very well considering the amount of algae in the tank. I think they may have even had little shrimplets at one point but they must have been gobbled down by the fish/ sucked into the filter as they are no longer around. I'll have to update my tank journal pics when i get them!