Think I've Decided On The Stocking.

[Juggler75]

I'm moving tanks and spent last few weeks trying to decide what stock I'll have in each tank and I think I've decided on one at least .

The tank itself is 80cmx30cmx40cm (96l or approx 20USG), it'll be filtered by either an eheim 2213 or 2215 (I think either will be fine nad which ever is used will be using mature media) and I'll be aiming for a temp of 24 deg C and a pH of 6.8. It'll have a fullers earth and sand substrate, with bogwood, slate caves and plants. Unfortunately as its 2nd hand I'm stuck with a 20w t8 light (could add flexi leds if needed).

The stock I think I've decided on is
a trio of cockatoo dwarf cichlids (1m and 2f)
5 pitbull plecos
6 cory julii
12-15 cardinal tetras (was still thinking neons seconds before typing cardinals lol so maybe not decided yet lets call it a colourful shoaling species to get more movement at the top/middle).

It all looks fine on aq advisor and thinkfish sites but thought I'd check with the 'real' experts.

Any potential issues jump out at any of you?

Many thanks

Edited for keyboard making mistakes

 

[Crossfire]

the cories and the cichlids might compete for space as they are both bottom dwellers. Also, for a 20g, your very much overstocked

 

[Juggler75]

Thanks I was worried about that, never kept appistos so not sure what they are like with corys and pitbulls.

As for the overstocking it seems a lot to me too, but with the filter, the levels come out ok with both sites above (on thinkfish I subbed the 5 pitbulls for 6 extra corys as advised by the site admin) and its way under. With advisor its ok with the 2215. But thats why I'm asking on here, it did seem a lot but the tetras have low bioload so don't follow 1nch per g rule.

What numbers of the stocking species would you advise?

 

[Crossfire]

Thanks I was worried about that, never kept appistos so not sure what they are like with corys and pitbulls.

As for the overstocking it seems a lot to me too, but with the filter, the levels come out ok with both sites above (on thinkfish I subbed the 5 pitbulls for 6 extra corys as advised by the site admin) and its way under. With advisor its ok with the 2215. But thats why I'm asking on here, it did seem a lot but the tetras have low bioload so don't follow 1nch per g rule.

What numbers of the stocking species would you advise?

IMO i would go for:
Trio of Cockatoo Cichlids
6-10 Cardinal or Neon Tetras
5 pitbulls

your stocking would be fine without the cories, its just that as both the cichlids and cories are bottom dwellers, the cichlids are very territorial and they would beat up on the cories and make them unhappy and stressed.

 

[kevin82]

I agree with Crossfore about the stock being too much. IMO It's always to match the stock list to the size of the tank and not what the filter will handle.

IF you do go down the lines of Corydoras let me know and I'll pass a breeders details onto you. has more of the less common species and for less than you'd pay for the common ones in the shops

also look on aquarist classifieds if you haven't got your filter yet, there is a fluval 305 filter going cheap. not mine but I've got one and couldn't recommend them enough

Kev

 

[Stoty]

i would get rid of the pitbull plecs and sub with 2 ottos. (they eat algae way better than plecos). Also i would go with no more than 10 neons.

 

[pablothebetta]

How about subbing the pitbulls for the corys?

 

[Juggler75]

Thanks for this guys, advice taken will adjust stocking plans. I have two pitbulls in the 60l at the moment with 4 corys (which were sold to me as leopard corys but I think are really julii after more research) and love the activity of the pitbulls which is why they were on list in expanded numbers.

Currently have a 2213 and have been offered a used 2215 for free which influenced filter choice.

 

[kevin82]

FREE. Never turn down a freebie. Where do you normally buy your fish from?

 

[coldcazzie]

I agree that possibly there may be issues with corydoras and cacatuoides competing for space... in a tank with a larger footprint it would be doable but I'd be hesitant to try it in 80x30.

Definitely take the free filter!

If you already have the pitbulls and the corydoras, I would expand their numbers, skip the dwarf cichlids and stick to a larger shoal of tetras

 

[sausagewinkle]

I agree with Crossfore about the stock being too much. IMO It's always to match the stock list to the size of the tank and not what the filter will handle.

IF you do go down the lines of Corydoras let me know and I'll pass a breeders details onto you. has more of the less common species and for less than you'd pay for the common ones in the shops

also look on aquarist classifieds if you haven't got your filter yet, there is a fluval 305 filter going cheap. not mine but I've got one and couldn't recommend them enough

Kev

Ive just bought the filter after reading this thread opps.
thanks Kevin

 

[Juggler75]

The corys were from a shop thats alive in Durham (not sure if we're allowed to name them if they've sold something named wrong), all other fish (including malawi tank) were a mix from either Gosforth Pets or Chilton Aquatics.

Kevin pm'd you about cory breeder details

Good job I didn't want the filter

 

[sausagewinkle]

Hey it's a first come first serve world

 

[lucasluke]

Just to let you know in future don't use ##151###. It is rubbish and doesn't do things realistically at all.

 

[Juggler75]

I take it you meant aq advisor as it came up as swearing for me too. Heck of a clue of its rep when its classed as swearing on a fish forum