What To Do Next...

[dstev]

Hi guys...

I have recently had a rough time with my tank (Help my fish are dying! - Tropical Fish Emergencies) but I think I have now got everything sorted. I am going to wait for a few days to get some new fish however I would like some advice on what to get next

I have a 125 litre tank that is 80cm long and 50 cm high. It is fairly heavily planted (around 10 plants around 30cm high). I currently have 5 Neon Tetra's, 3 Black Neon Tetra's, 2 Silvertip Tetra's, 5 Platy's (small orange ones - maybe Sunset?) and 1 Rainbow Shark. I did previously have 2 Golden Loaches, 2 Dwarf Gourami's (that seemed to get harrassed like hell by the Shark), 3 Congo Tetra's, 2 more Silvertips and 1 more Black Neon.

I am thinking I need something to clean the bottom, so probably loaches, also like the look of Banded Rainbow fish (my local shop has these!). I seem to have alot of snails, not sure if there are any fish that eat these!

Please give me your suggestions guys!

 

[roadmaster]

Hi guys...

I have recently had a rough time with my tank (Help my fish are dying! - Tropical Fish Emergencies) but I think I have now got everything sorted. I am going to wait for a few days to get some new fish however I would like some advice on what to get next

I have a 125 litre tank that is 80cm long and 50 cm high. It is fairly heavily planted (around 10 plants around 30cm high). I currently have 5 Neon Tetra's, 3 Black Neon Tetra's, 2 Silvertip Tetra's, 5 Platy's (small orange ones - maybe Sunset?) and 1 Rainbow Shark. I did previously have 2 Golden Loaches, 2 Dwarf Gourami's (that seemed to get harrassed like hell by the Shark), 3 Congo Tetra's, 2 more Silvertips and 1 more Black Neon.

I am thinking I need something to clean the bottom, so probably loaches, also like the look of Banded Rainbow fish (my local shop has these!). I seem to have alot of snails, not sure if there are any fish that eat these!

Please give me your suggestions guys!

Cleaning the bottom with gravel vaccum during water changes,and not overfeeding fish is best way to keep bottom clean and fish happy.
Adding "cleaner fish" or ANY fish for that matter, is doing just the opposite of cleaning.Another fish, or fishes added to tank for whatever reason, means more food,for the new fish to eat,more waste (poop), and more load on the biological filter,and ultimately more organics in the form of NitrAtes.
In properly maintained aquarium, there is no need for "cleaner fish". IMHO

 

[blackers92]

Im pretty new to fishkeeping but wouldnt the rainbow shark be too aggressive for your tetras? and possible become to big?

 

[dstev]

Im pretty new to fishkeeping but wouldnt the rainbow shark be too aggressive for your tetras? and possible become to big?

I bought this a while ago and it harrasses the Gourami's but seems to get on fine with other fish. After reading into fish a little more I feel it was poor advice from my local fish shop.

So in your opinion then you don't necessarily need bottom feeding fish?

 

[ellena]

Yes, it doesn't matter which level of the tank they feed at, all fish need feeding. They won't survive by scavenging and will still produce waste. To provide bottom interest would be a reason to buy them, but not to clean up.
I haven't read your emeergency thread, but if you've had several deaths, you need to wait more than a few days before putting more fish in when there could potentially still be a problem.

 

[Harlequins]

I agree with the above,you don't buy bottom feeding fish to clean the tank,thats your job,basically bottom feeding fish are fish that eat at the bottom not eat up the mess for you.

I would hold out on adding any more fish until your stats are stable,from memory you use test strips,like i said these aren't very reliable,and a liquid test kit would be better,you have been doing w/c daily which has lowered your reading anyway,test daily if you go a week with ammonia & nitrite showing zero without doing any waterchanges,then this would be a good time to add a few fish,depending on what you chose.