Can I add a few more fish?

[kzuk72]

I would like to add a few more fish to my planted 45G tank, but am not sure if I would be overstocking it.

Anyway, the current residents are:

2 Pictus Catfish
1 Rainbow Shark
8 Rainbowfish (3 Bosemani, 2 Turquoise and 3 Neon)
1 Black Ghost Knife
1 Chocolate Pl*co

Territories are set, and everybody is living peacefully other than the odd chase involving the Rainbow Shark chasing a Rainbowfish away from his rock.

I have an AquaClear 300 filter that provides a nice strong current--I can't put any of my plants under the flow, they get blown around badly. I'm also considering adding an airstone, possibly CO2 for the plants.

So, do I have some space? By the 1" per 1G rule, I'm pushing it, but it still seems a bit empty....
I was thinking perhaps a school of 6-9 assorted Tiger Barbs for color or maybe some Red Irian Rainbowfish. Though I would like to add something other than a Rainbowfish to this tank...

[kzuk72]

No opinions at all?

[Woozledad]

All I can say...Don't add the airstone if you have plants....it gasses of the CO2 you need for the plants...I'm not a good judge for overstocking....cause I do it...I'm trying to save up the money to buy a 125g and I'm sure I'll overstock that one too, :D ....Add a canister filter and do lots of water changes and slightly overstocking won't hurt....

[OrionGirl]

I wouldn't add anything else. Not only will you be overstocking the tank in terms of capacity, but you'll mess up the current, peaceful status quo of the occupants. Keep in mind that you should always make stocking decisions based on the adult size of the fish--which means you've got a lot of fish, since most of the fish you have will get near or above 6 inches in length. Eventually, you're might need to find new homes for some of the fish already in there, or move into a larger tank.

[thom336]

i think we are all guilty of over-stocking, except those of us who are very strict about our limits. i know i certainly am in some of my aquaria. when it comes to stocking, i believe that the limits are set to be broken, but if you do break them then it would mean extra maintanance. one area in fishkeeping that i seem to achieve great results at is low maintanance aquaria. for these, i generally suggest under stocking as a rule, but i find it possible to breach the stocking limits and still have a low maintanance aquaria. i have an overstocked 35G tank. it contains 4 angels, 1 sailfin pleco, 6 cories, 3 mollies, 10 neons, 5 emporers, 2 white clouds, 2 clown loaches, 4 zebra danios. however, i only maintain it once a month, changeing about 20% of the water during that maintanance, and cleaning the filters. i have good planting and great filtration (a fluval 3 plus and a fluval 1 plus - i would recommend the range to anyone!), which i find helps alot in the low maintance of the tank. you have to be careful about what plants you choose - vallis and floating plants are great for low maintance aquaria, as they can be great aids. and my tanks is always in the clear when i test water, and constantly looks great.

however, although this works great for me, it may be that im just lucky or have a knack. i wouldnt recommend over stocking - but i wouldnt say 'do not overstock'. (between you and me...get the fish!)

[kzuk72]

Thanks...

Looks like I won't be adding anything, though if I really get the urge, it might be just 2 or 3 more Rainbowfish.

[TigerBarbMama]

Adding 6 -9 tiger barbs is too many for a tank your size, considering the other fish. I have dealt with many barbs in my time (especially when I was a newbie)

however if you choose to upgrade to larger tank, tiger barbs would be a good addition, unless the fish you have have large fins. even in schools, tiger barbs will nip the fins of a fish out of their species.

otherwise barbs are great fish, with some personality.