Tell Me This Is A Terrible Idea

[CezzaXV]

Hey all,

I'm getting fish next week. Woo!

My original plan was 6 leopard cories, 1 betta and 10(ish) neon tetra in my 60L. This would put me slightly on the overstocked side by official rules, but as long as I keep up with frequent water changes I'm sure it will be fine.

However, my latest idea is to go with the cories, betta, 6 neons and 6 rummy nose tetra or something similar, which is an extra two fish.

This is probably a bad idea since it makes it even more overstocked.

Is this a really terrible idea or is it workable?

 

[phocoena]

what stocking method are you using?

 

[CezzaXV]

what stocking method are you using?

As in, how am I getting my tank ready? I'm fishless cycling. Almost at the end now after the longest 59 days of my life

 

[MegaZerino]

It's not a good idea, but i suppose its workable, but thats only if your filtration system could handle it. You would have to start up your tank and leave it for a couple of weeks to let the biological filtration system build up its strength. Then you should only add one or 2 fish each week, (i recommend adding the betta first). The advantage of adding 1 or 2 fish each week is that if your filtration system starts to crumble then you can remove the fish you last added and it shouldnt be a problem. Adding all those fish in one week would crash the system and create a huge amonia and nitrate spike. Also dont forget that when you buy the fish they will be young and will grow much much bigger, so plan ahead for that

 

[phocoena]

what stocking method are you using?

As in, how am I getting my tank ready? I'm fishless cycling. Almost at the end now after the longest 59 days of my life

No I mean which rule for fish capacity (eg 1 cm per 2 litres etc)

Btw the fish (cory/rummy nosed tetras) you have listed have two different species with the same common name.

On the fishless cycle, know how you are feeling, my one that came with the tank stopped working and so I having to start again after 30 days or there about.

 

[CezzaXV]

[font="arial][size="2"]I was told to add the betta last to avoid it establishing a territory and getting nasty with any new "intruders" I add.

The cories I'm getting are advertised as corydoras julii in the LFS, but I'm aware they're often confused with trilineatus. They're adorable so I'm not fussed with the specifics if there's not really a significant difference. As for the rummies, I've not done a massive amount of reading into that area.[/size][/font]

I've looked at a number of different stocking rules and have tried to come up with a comfortable average, but when I asked on the forums back along I was told it was more important to go with the "load" of the fish rather than how long they are. Most long bodied tetra are relatively small with a small bioload.

I'm running a Fluval 205 which is overfiltering on a tank my size by a fair bit.

 

[fishprotector]

[font="arial][size="2"]I was told to add the betta last to avoid it establishing a territory and getting nasty with any new "intruders" I add.

I would also add the Betta last for the same reasons. I certainly will be when I move mine into its new shared home

 

[fizzlesticks]

I'm sure it depends on the temperaments on the fish, but I've read it can be good to understock a community tank with a betta. Gives everyone more space to move and to hide.

When I had too many fish in my 10G, the normally peaceful harlequins nearly destroyed my betta's tail.

 

[friendlyfishy777]

[font="arial][size="2"]

The cories I'm getting are advertised as corydoras julii in the LFS, but I'm aware they're often confused with trilineatus. They're adorable so I'm not fussed with the specifics if there's not really a significant difference.

You are going to love them! I have four and I certainly do but they have proven to be my most shy fish (all my other corys are far from shy, and the gold lasers are a bit bonkers, as are my hoplos now, lol). That might be because they'd prefer a bigger group though. If others think I have the room I might add another two. Mine seem to really like my hoplos, I think it's because they are both spotty fish.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Personally, I'd stick to the shoal of cories and a shoal of neons, rather than trying to go with two shoals of mid-swimmers. I think more neons would look better than a few neons and a few rummynose. That's me though. Ultimately, I would prefer more of one type and less numbers overall. It would make it easier for a new fishkeeper as well.

 

[CezzaXV]

Thanks all, it does give me something to think about. I like the neons, but it feels like everyone has them and with just a shoal of neons it's just another fish tank. I'm ordering my betta online once I've found one I really like, so the betta won't be added for a few weeks at least. I'm also coming up with a contingency plan if my betta turns out to be one of the aggressive ones and I just can't keep it in my tank.

You've not made my decision any easier though lol! Was kinda hoping you were all going to turn around and tell me it was a really awful idea and not to do it! Now I've got some thinking to do. Of course, one option is to just get 6 neons for now, then I can get 4 more neons or a shoal of something else a bit later on.

Keep the opinions coming though, it's helping my thought process.

 

[friendlyfishy777]

If you didn't go with neons, are Harlequin Rasboras too active for your tank I wonder? I think they make a great alternative to neons. I got my self a shoal of six (plan to add a few more) and they are very peaceful natured and active. They are rather funny fish as they like to watch what the bottom dwellers are doing, and buzz about all day long and some of the night too.

 

[DrRob]

It's a terrible idea.

As requested.

Surely this is simply an excuse to put another tank somewhere.

edit: oh and +1 for harlequins, lovely fish.......I knew there was a real reason I pressed add reply.

 

[the_lock_man]

It's not a good idea, but i suppose its workable, but thats only if your filtration system could handle it. You would have to start up your tank and leave it for a couple of weeks to let the biological filtration system build up its strength. Then you should only add one or 2 fish each week, (i recommend adding the betta first). The advantage of adding 1 or 2 fish each week is that if your filtration system starts to crumble then you can remove the fish you last added and it shouldnt be a problem. Adding all those fish in one week would crash the system and create a huge amonia and nitrate spike. Also dont forget that when you buy the fish they will be young and will grow much much bigger, so plan ahead for that

Mate, the cycling method that Cezza is following allows sufficient bacterial growth in the filter to fully stock the tank in one hit. She is adding bottled ammonia to simulate the presence of huge quantities of fish. Once the filter is mature enough to handle the ammonia she is artifically introducing, she can stock to whatever level she likes.

In my opinion, the process of leaving a tank running for two weeks does nothing to mature the filter. In order to be mature, the filter needs bacteria. In order to grow bacteria, it needs the presence of ammonia, which it does not have without fish or by artificially introducing it yourself. I have to say that I disagree with this part of your post.

I would also suggest adding the betta last not first.


Cezza, it's your choice on whether to have the 2 species of tetra or just the one. I am sure the filter can handle it, so long as you're going to be on top of the water changes, and you're happy that the tank isn't going to be the aquatic version of the M25 on a rainy Tuesday, then you'll be fine. The only thing I would say is that one large shoal of one species can give more natural behaviour than 2 small shoals of 2 species. But like I said, your choice. If you want to do it, you do it.

 

[friendlyfishy777]

edit: oh and +1 for harlequins, lovely fish.......I knew there was a real reason I pressed add reply.

Glad you agree!

CezzaXV, if your interested, you can see a few Harlequins playing about in the background (around the heater mostly):