Would This Overstock?

[PRW1988]

So I'm planning on setting up my first actually planned out planted tank. It's an eclipse 12 System, so a 12 gallon tank with a modification to the light hood as the filter wasn't working on the tank. I've cut out a section so now a Penguin Bio-wheel filter fits in, the filter is rated up to 20 gallons.

My question is would 6 cory catfish along with 8 neon tetras and 3 Oto cats be too much for a 12 gallon tank?

 

[rabbut]

Would advise against it for your first planted tank, unless you are going down the hi-tec route. With most methords of runnig a planted tank, That stocking would caurse excess nutrients to build up. In a high-tec tank, this is waht you want to happen, to a cirtain extent (pritty much asking for a flaming with that last comment, still....), as I am sure you are aware that the hight-tec route gives the plants more nutrients than they acctualy need. These excesses are removed buy large weekly waterchanges (usualy arround 50%). As a mix of fish though, that would be good, as you are over filtered, the fish swim at different levels and are not known to pick on each other. Would just caurse unbelivable algea problems in a planted tank, unless you know how everything needs to be set up for the plants to out compete the algea. The setting up is down to experience, practice and good old trial-and-error.
HTH
Rabbut
EDIT: edited for spelling

 

[Straydum]

in terms of fishes, definately overstocked. follow the 1 inch per gallon rule. btw i dont really see the need for so many bottom dwellers.

 

[znk]

in terms of fishes, definately overstocked. follow the 1 inch per gallon rule. btw i dont really see the need for so many bottom dwellers.

I realy dont get the 1 inch per gallon rule.
No one can tell me that 15 inches of tetra neons is the same a 15 inch pleco. Not in mass and not in bioload.

Otos will keep on the glasses and plants.
6 corries might be to many.
8 neons dosent look bad to me.

I might cut 2 from the corries and the Neons.

 

[rabbut]

I realy dont get the 1 inch per gallon rule.
No one can tell me that 15 inches of tetra neons is the same a 15 inch pleco. Not in mass and not in bioload.

The incher per gallon rule works, buy estimating the "adverage" bioload put on the filtration system by an "adverage" sized fish. This leaves the rule open to debate, as you pointed out, as everyone will have a different deffinition of adverage. For example, I would call a three inch fish an adverage size. The neon tetras are smaller than my deffinition of adverage, thus they do not put as much bio-load on the filter as my definition of an adverage fish would. The ottos are smaller than advearge fish, buy my deffinition, however their diet is far from adverage. Their primary food sorce is plant matter. Fish that digest this type of food, put a higher than adverage bio-load on the filtration than a fish of equivelant size on most other diets. This means that the ottos will have an aderage bio-load on the filters, despite beeing smaller than adverage. The corries are larger than my deffinition of adverage, thus they put more bio-load on the filter. In this case, the below "adverage" load from the neons is more than cancling by the above "adverage" load from the corries.
The OP has a filter that can support a 20 gallon tank. This gives them filtration for 20" of "adverage" fish. Providing good maintanance, IMO, the tank can support the fish they whish to stock, at 26" of fish, using slightly less bio-load, than my view of adverage fish. Obviosly, the definition of adverage varies from person to person, so in somes opinion, the OP's tank would be over stocked and others may aggree with me in saying fine. I would go with the general consencus of this post though, as there is going to be dicrepancies over this type of stocking question. If a large number of people are against what I surgest as an answer, they may know something that I don't. Sorry for all the whaffleing, and possibly caursing confusion.

btw i dont really see the need for so many bottom dwellers.

In most people opinion, corries need to be in goups of 6 or more.

HTH
rabbut

 

[Esfa]

5 otos, 6 neons. That would be better =]

 

[PRW1988]

I still want the corys for the clean up on the bottom as oto cats won't eat all the flakes that fall down. How does this sound?

6 neons
6 cory cats
and a couple of snails instead of the otos?

 

[rabbut]

The new stocking would be better without the snails, if you whish to stock one inch per gallon. You must remember that snails will put a greater bio-load on the filter than ottos, despite beeing smaller. It is also worth considering their multiplication and plant-damage potential when perposfully introducing snails. IMO you would be better off without the snails.
HTH
rabbut

 

[PRW1988]

Alright, well I think that since reading that post by you earlier about the bio-load on a tank and the 1inch of fish per gallon of water rule, that the final tank stocking will be.

6 neon tetras
5 cory catfish
2 oto cats

The tank has a 20gallon filter on it, so it should be enough, aswell so long as I am diligent with water changes everything should be fine

I may not end up adding the oto cats, only if the algea becomes a problem however since it is a planted tank it shouldn't really be too much of an issue.

 

[afishdude]

most people would say that otos need groups of 5+ but IMO 2 would be fine.

 

[MHunt]

I've got a couple of shrimp in my 10 gal planted tank. They don't take much of the hair algae off, but they do appear to be keeping the logs and glass clean.

 

[DarkEntity]

in terms of fishes, definately overstocked. follow the 1 inch per gallon rule. btw i dont really see the need for so many bottom dwellers.

I realy dont get the 1 inch per gallon rule.
No one can tell me that 15 inches of tetra neons is the same a 15 inch pleco. Not in mass and not in bioload.

Otos will keep on the glasses and plants.
6 corries might be to many.
8 neons dosent look bad to me.

I might cut 2 from the corries and the Neons.

You have hit the nail on the head. 15, one inch fish are no where near a 15" fish in terms of waste etc. Ive never ever used the 1" rule. Stock sensibly and as long as your filter will easily handle the tank ie 2-3 times the filtration itll be fine. Just make sure to do your regualr weekly water changes.

If you do go for the Cory make sure you pick something small like the Trilineatus/Albino etc. Dont pick the Bronze. I think 4 or 5 would be fine.

 

[PRW1988]

Alright, thank you guys very, very much for all of your input. I've decided upon a final stocking list

6 neon tetras
5 Albino Cory catfish
2 oto cats
and 1 sunset varatius Platy(until I can find or set up something else)


Unfortunatly my mom (when picking me up from Petsmart -my work- last night) came inside around 8:50pm and saw a lovely little Sunset Varatius Platy... He's a really handsom little guy, and is a nice blue coloration, I've no other tank right now so he'll have to go in the 12 gallon with all the others for the time being.