View Full Version : I'm worried I'm overstocked.
Hi there I have a juwel rio 125 dimensions are 31x14x20 inches. The aquarium calculator says this is aprox 135ltrs.
I have 12 tiger barbs, 5 serpea tetras, 1RTB, 1 bristlenose plec and two cory cats.
I'm not sure if this is overstocked, some people on other boards seem to have far more fish in smaller tanks others say it's too crowded. What do people think. I'm worried as one of the cory's died last night and I wonder if this is a water quality issue although the stats, ph, ammonia and nitrite seem fine.
Kasakato
04-11-2005, 10:01 AM
FWIS is a 35gal.
cloud
04-11-2005, 10:16 AM
35.6 US Gal, 29.6 UK gal to be precise :)
And what are the nitrates reading at?
We had a Rio 125 at my old work. I has a very good built in filter. Nice tank in general.
I'd say you are a little over stocked, but the company responsible for looking after our work tank used to really pack the fish into the Rio (more than I would've done if it was up to me) but it could always handle it.
Maybe take the tetras or a few of the barbs back if you can. And do at leat a 50% a week water change.
Holly9937
04-11-2005, 10:59 AM
I would not get anymore fish, its a little overstocked, but not too bad. If you're down to one cory, you might consider returning the other. They don't add to the bioload much, but they like to be in groups, and that way you're down one fish instead of adding 2-4 more, which is about the minimum group they should be in (3-5). Is it a new tank? Cycled? Corys can be kind of sensitive to water conditions, that could have something to do with his death. You could take a water sample to your LFS and make sure you both come up with the same numbers!! Good luck
roady
04-11-2005, 11:15 AM
Just tested the water again and ammonia and nitrite are both oppm. The serpeas weren't my first choice I wanted a few cherry barbs but the LFS said the tigers might eat them being so small. Either way my dilemma is should I get another cory as I've heard they don't do well on their own, I want to get two more actually but don't want to cause any overcrowding problems this might create.
Oh just read the above reply, thank you holly. The cory's are not essential to the tank then as a clean up crew. If so I may get a bigger tank later in the year perhaps add some cories then plus something compatible with the barbs, though I have to say I've had no aggression problems with them whatsoever, the serpaes are worse.
Holly9937
04-11-2005, 11:24 AM
The corys are not essential, but they do help clean up any uneaten food. They mainly stick to the bottom of the tank, and don't add to the bioload much, so if you want to keep the one I would recommend buying 2 more of the same kind. If and when you get a bigger tank, most of the nippier tetras would be fine with tiger barbs, especially with that large of a school of TB they should pick on each other more than the other fish.