The End Is Near

[livingword26]

I am at the end of my 5th week. I have been doing multiple daily water changes to keep my chemicals where they should be. This morning my readings were:

Ph: 7.6
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite .25
Nitrate 5.0

I was beginning to wonder if the nitrites would ever get under control. In a week or so, when my nitrites are 0, I am considering putting an Otocinclus catfish in for a little algae control, and maybe another type of shrimp. Would this be to much? Am I already maxed out? Or can my tank handle all of this?

[Rbishop]

I wouldn't put ottos in until the tank is well established for 6-9 months.

[livingword26]

Ok. In 6 to 9 months, will adding the Otocinclus catfish and another shrimp be ok. Should I get more than one? Do they need tank mates? (the catfish)

[Mgamer20o0]

ottos like to be in groups. ghost shrimp dont add much to the bio load.

[evster]

rbishop - why would you wait so long to put ottos in there? Are they that fragile of a fish, or are you waiting for enough algae to grow to supply them with food?

Also, if ottos like to be in groups..how many would you recommend for a 10G and for a 20G? I was thinking about getting a few for both of my tanks, but both have been running for less than 6 months.

[Eryn]

I was told by some planted tank experts to put ottos in my tank as soon as it finished cycling. They were the first fish to go in, and I still have most of them. But yes, they are very sensitive to bad water conditions! Ottos don't add to the bioload much, though, especially in a planted tank.

[Rbishop]

I consider them a bit more sensitive to changing conditions and prefer the tank to be well established before I put them in. Also, in a new tank, just finished cycling they usually don't have a lot of algae to eat. I would lay odds that more otos' are starved to death than anything else.

[livingword26]

Again, does anyone have an opinion as to whether or not an Otto, or perhaps 2, would make my tank overstocked, after 6 to 9 months of course?

[Rbishop]

I'd put in three, but keep up on the water changes.

[livingword26]

Thanks