Tank Stocking

[jenmac_85]

I am due to receive my brothers tank when he moves in June. It is a 60cm x 30cm x30cm, which I think is 54 Litres, 11 UK gallons. Hope I am right with that one.

The tank currently contains 1 Glowlight tetra and 1 Zebra Danio which seem to have paired up. I was hoping to get 3 glowlights and 3 danios so that they could be in a slightly more natural environment but my brother is reluctant to let that happen just now. They are in great condition and eat very well. Their colours are very bright and showing no signs of ill health so I am not extremely concerned at the moment

The test results for the tank indicated that the chemical levels for the tank are correct and the temperature is fine. However the tank is only half full.How do I re-fill tank without badly disturbing the chemistry. Can I do it a litre at a time instead of all at once?

I am hoping to top the tank up the the appropriate level and also begin restocking, hopefully have the tank up and running around the end of the year.

I am currently planning what type of tank to have, be it species or community. My dad has offered to take the Glowlight and the Danio if required - which I think it maybe considering their current environment.

I like the idea of a community tank due to the variety, but my dad has suggested a species tank, perhaps Platy's due to their easy care requirements and ability to breed. I do also like cichlids though as a species tank.

What would your advice be?

Jenny

 

[Castellop123]

A good Cichlid for the beginner is the Convict Cichlid Cichlasoma Nigrofaciatum... It does not require any specific water chemistry and breeds easily... It eats plants however, and is aggressive to others during spawning... You could keep a pair in your 60cm... Place rocks to form caves, a gravel substrate and at a temperature of 24 - 26'c...
Many Dwarf Cichlid species could also, with the right care, live well and breed in a setup of that size... remember to always research the fish that you are going to buy...

 

[jenmac_85]

What size is ideal for convict cichlids as if they require a larger tank I am willing to invest on one if I decided to keep them. I currently have a 60x30x30 and some of the guide books state that a 60x40x40 tank is best.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

there's only 1 thing to consider with filling the tank up straigth after moving it, pH. Test the pH of the tank water, and test the pH of your tap water, if there's a big difference do it slowly, if not you can fill it right up with dechlorinated water.

 

[Castellop123]

The tank you already have will be fine... when you have bread the convicts and want to move on to something else, then just sell the fry and the adult breeding pair to an aquatics store that wants them...

 

[NinjaSmurf]

Um, convicts aren't exactly easy to get rid of. None of the petstores where I live will take them, and I've heard a few other people say the same thing.

 

[jenmac_85]

I had been looking at Kribs as I was told by the local pet store that they are reasonably easy to take care of and can be kept in a community tank. I have looked up a couple of websites and books and they all say that they can be community fish, however one of my friends says that he found they attacked alot of the smaller fish including platies, which is one of the fish I would love to keep.

I dont think I have enough experience to keep cichlids and alothough the Kribs are cichlids they appear to a beginners cichlid.

Have decided to start off with platies in a community tank along with some danios and glowlights (as I have one of each already will just make up the numbers) and a group of 6 corys.

Does this seem sensible and should the Kribs be left out due to choice of other fish

 

[LisaLQ]

10g is too small for a pair of convicts, although I'm sure more experienced breeders would do it, I wouldn't think it was ideal. More like double that, minimum. Most cichlid owners with tanks that small would go for shell dwellers I think, but I dont have any experience with them. And personally, I wouldn't breed convicts, you cant get rid of them for love nor money.

My platies are around 2-2.5", and a breeding group (a male and several females) would be pushing it in a 11g tank. I'd go for the danios or the glowlights, a group of 5 perhaps (glowlights dont get as big as danios, so maybe 7 of them if you chose them), with a trio of the smaller cories. Any more would be overstocked.

 

[jenmac_85]

Sorry I meant to add that I am going to get a larger tank. going to get around 125L. Around double the size i have just now. Hopefully

 

[vinylman]

Sorry I meant to add that I am going to get a larger tank. going to get around 125L. Around double the size i have just now. Hopefully

That's good, but think of it as giving fish more room; you don't have to stock it to capacity.