Tiger Barb Tank

[The Barb]

hi all,

i have recently purchased my first aquarium a juwel rio (101x41x51) approx 200 litres

the plan is to set up a tiger barb dominated tank split between the 3 colour morphs

the tank has been cycling with 8 tiger barbs for almost 3 weeks (will be doing a fishless cycle next time, beginners mistake no1)ammonia is down to 0ppm nitrite is at 1.0ppm and falling while nitrate is around 7.0ppm.thoughts

am thinking of adding 10 more tigers to the existing 8 residents so i have six of each morph,gradually when cycled of course.would also like a BTRS, bulldog plec and a upside down catfish for the tank.

could i fit in more tigers?
any sother suggestions for tankmates other than the above,not to fussy as long as i have lots of tigers

thanks

 

[n3ont3tra]

Sounds good. I think you should go up to 8 of each color morph. Gradually, of course. Also, by BTRS, you you mean RTBS? REd tailed black shark? IF that's it, that'll be fine, too.
Bulldog might get bullied by the RTBS though
Upside down catfish prefer to be in groups. IF you still want them, I'd get 3 or 5. Make sure you get the right one too. There's a few look-a-likes.

So you'd have
24 tiger barbs
RTBS
3 upside down catfish

Make sure you have good filtration and do weekly water changes.

 

[The Barb]

thanks for quick reply

RTBS thats the one,as appose to that well known fish the big tailed red shark ha ha

3 upside down catfish sounds good,will they control algae?

 

[xxBarneyxx]

The upside down catfish will most likely not touch any of the algae. Best way to control algae is to do regular water changes and use phosphate/nitrate removers in your filter. If you starve the algae of its food source (mainly phosphate and nitrate) it wont ever be a problem.

Stocking looks good. Should be a really nice tank to watch when it is fully stocked (I like tiger barbs ).

 

[The Barb]

nice one Barney ,thanks.

 

[The Barb]

WHOOOOO!!!

just done my first of 2 daily water tests and have the following results:

ammonia 0ppm
nitrite 0ppm
nitrate 7.0ppm

tank has took 23 days to achive this since the introdution of fish.

im thinking of adding another 4-6 tigers on monday if water peram stays stable,or should i wait longer?

edit

same result from evening test too.

 

[dthoffsett]

WHOOOOO!!!

just done my first of 2 daily water tests and have the following results:

ammonia 0ppm
nitrite 0ppm
nitrate 7.0ppm

tank has took 23 days to achive this since the introdution of fish.

im thinking of adding another 4-6 tigers on monday if water peram stays stable,or should i wait longer?

edit

same result from evening test too.

Sounds like you are cycled, I'd test Monday morning just to be sure and if ammonia/nitrite are 0, go ahead and add your new fish.

I'm definately looking forward to pictures, I've always wanted to do a tank centered around tiger barbs.

 

[daino master]

are you going to be adding pictures because i think this tank is going to look sepctacular with those tiger barbs swimming around and that RTBS would make it poucar

 

[Hollymolly4]

Hi! My husband wanted me to get Tiger Barbs. I like them also. Sounds like a nice tank!
Welcome to fishkeeping!

 

[The Barb]

thanks,

will add a further six tigers on monday if peram remains unchanged

defo post some pics when she is stocked

only thing thats been bothering me is whether to add a school of black rubys instead of the 3 upside down catfish,what do you think?

 

[The Barb]

well the water was spot on again this morning

so i have just returned with a further 6 tigers (2 albino 4 green) taking the tigers up to 14, another 10 to go. probably 4 next week and 6 the week after.

1 RTBS and 3 yoyo loaches to go then she's done

any thoughts?

 

[SexyFishKeeper]

Tiger Barbs are fantastic, I cant wait for mine to get to full size as they're only about 1-2cm in length.

 

[dthoffsett]

well the water was spot on again this morning

so i have just returned with a further 6 tigers (2 albino 4 green) taking the tigers up to 14, another 10 to go. probably 4 next week and 6 the week after.

1 RTBS and 3 yoyo loaches to go then she's done

any thoughts?

Sounds like a great start, can't wait for the pictures.

 

[The Barb]

little update

tank now stocked with 19 tigers (8 green 5 albino 6 standard),3 black rubys ,4 yo yo loaches and an albino ruby shark

3 more black rubys to get next week and im stocked not overstocked i hope, opinons

pics coming soon.

 

[chrisovington]

I've got tiger barbs and they are fascinating to watch! The males will spar with each other, and I've never seen other fish do this quite like they do. Mine also nibble on my arm whenever I trim the plants. They should be great in a group that big, I can't wait to see the pics!

Also, try feeding them cucumber, mine love it! Just weight it down with a plant weight if you have some.