Tank Stocking

[n3ont3tra]

Okay, I recently started a topic on wood and in it, my stocking for the 29g in my sig was brought up. My levels are fine and there is no aggression, however, I have decided to take a few fish back to the store after spring break. I think it'll be batter for all of my fish in the long run So... which fish should I take back?
My favorites, in this order are:
Kuhlie Loaches
Panda Cories
Phantoms
Neons/white neons
platies
silver Tips

I'm definately leaning towards getting rid of the silver tips, obviously. But I'm wondering if once I've removed some, should I add to anything?

I was thinking about getting 2 more panda cories and maybe a few more neons.

About the neons/white neons: A while ago I bought fish from liveaquaria : 4 neons, 2 silver tips, 2 phantoms. All the fish were healthy, nothing died. But the neons aren't real neons. They're white neons. Here's a topic from a while back trying to ID them -
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=172404&hl=
Anyway, that's why I want more neons. There's 7 now, including whites.

EDIT: I will be removing a whole group of fish, eg, 8 Silver Tips.

 

[n3ont3tra]

Nobody has anything to say?

 

[smmetz]

Tough choice.

Just curious, when you said:

I'm definately leaning towards getting rid of the silver tips, obviously.

why is it obvious?

If your panda cories have been doing well for several months, then I think it's safe to assume you are maintaining the tank well, and keeping the water quality consistently good. (since I hear they can be sensitive)

I think your plan to get rid of the silver tips sounds good. Since you have 8 of them, it would decrease your bio load by a decent amount.

Your other fish are already in adaquatlyl sized groups IMO. I might consider adding another platy or two, since a group of 3 of them seems a bit small to me.

Panda Cories seem like bulkier fish than the silver tips, even though they they are only slightly longer. Therefore, I would guess that each corey counts for more bio load than a silver tip.

I would be carefull adding more fish, since you may quickly end up with the same bio load as before. While it seems to have worked out for you so far, you said your goal was to thin out the tank a bit.

 

[cane76]

surely the question of what to get rid of can only be answered by you
who are you stocking your tank for me

 

[fishboy619]

i would take back the silver tips and platies. the platies might breed causing lots more fish.
that will reduce the bio-load a bit with 10 fish gone.the pandas seem fine, the groups big enough. the same with the kuhliis, have you got sand substrate, both kuhliis and cories benefit from this.not too sure about the tetras, stocking levels arent my best choice to give opinions on, i personally think 18 fish is too many, i would possable either take one group back, or half the numbers.
in the end, yes it will be better for the fish long term.
the bottom will be taken up by thr cories and kuhliis and the mid-top levers tetras. it will be a lively tank.
of course, its my opinions and thought, no one can tell you which fish to get rid of and which to keep, its up to you. but i hoped i helped a little

 

[smmetz]

I did say that a group of 3 platy seems small to me, but I agree wtih fishyboy that getting rid of the platy is a better option than I orignially suggested. (I suggested considering adding 1-2 more platy).

If you got rid of the silver tips and platy, then adding a couple more neons or another panda would still reduce your bio load overall by quite a bit.

 

[n3ont3tra]

The platies are actually my mom's favorite, so I don't think I'll be able to get rid of them. I will probably just take the silver tips back and add two cories. The bioload still will be reduced. The silver tips are the most active and aggressive tank in the fish. I think I'd rather have a peaceful and active fish (cories) than a nippy and active fish (silver tips). If anybody has any other input, I'd love to hear it, but I think I've made up my mind...

For the questions asked -
smmetz - It's obvious I want to get rid of the silver tips because I listed them as my least favorite fish.
whoever asked what my substrate was - it's playsand
fishboy619 - about the platy fry - I've only ever found two in the 5 moths I've had the platies. If I ever find any more they'll become feeder fish. Sorry if it sounds cruel, but it's the truth. I don't view it as cruel, because the fish will be eaten fast.