Rummy-nose or lemon. Rummies are gorgeous fish, but they're not as hardy as lemons and I believe the lemons will hang out a little higher in your tank which would be good considering you've got your bottom-dwellers picked out already.
South American Dither Fish
- Thread starter BigAds
- Start date
Quote:
"4 Oto... which many people have told me contribute so little to the bioload that you don't even really need to consider them in small numbers."
Just want to share my experience with this. I bought 3 otos and kept them in a 20 gallon QT. The QT was running filter material from my established tank, so I figured with 3 little fish and good filter material that I'd be fine. But instead I had a semi-stressful mini-cycle. Those little otos produced a huge amount of waste, and the filter just couldn't keep up at first. Basically, they need to graze constantly throughout the day on either algae or veggies that you give them, and this means they're pooping constantly throughout the day, too:grinyes:.
I think adding them to an established tank would be ok, but I'd keep an eye on water quality if you add them to a newly cycled tank or QT.
"4 Oto... which many people have told me contribute so little to the bioload that you don't even really need to consider them in small numbers."
Just want to share my experience with this. I bought 3 otos and kept them in a 20 gallon QT. The QT was running filter material from my established tank, so I figured with 3 little fish and good filter material that I'd be fine. But instead I had a semi-stressful mini-cycle. Those little otos produced a huge amount of waste, and the filter just couldn't keep up at first. Basically, they need to graze constantly throughout the day on either algae or veggies that you give them, and this means they're pooping constantly throughout the day, too:grinyes:.
I think adding them to an established tank would be ok, but I'd keep an eye on water quality if you add them to a newly cycled tank or QT.
I'll be certain that the tank is stable with excellent parameters before I add the ottos...
As for the dither... I agree that it'd be better to have some that stick to the top half of the tank since the bottom will be pretty well stocked with the cories and the GBR... I just worried that the lemons might be a little bigger than I should go with. I don't want to overstock my tank, for the fish's sake, and so I don't have to do constant water changes. I have no problem doing 1 to 2 a week, but I don't want to feel like there's still too much waste/etc. in the tank because of how it's stocked.
1 Angelfish
6 or 7 lemon tetra
1 German Blue Ram
6 Peppered Cory
4 Oto
1 Mystery Snail
Seems like it might be a little bit much for a 36 bow?
As for the dither... I agree that it'd be better to have some that stick to the top half of the tank since the bottom will be pretty well stocked with the cories and the GBR... I just worried that the lemons might be a little bigger than I should go with. I don't want to overstock my tank, for the fish's sake, and so I don't have to do constant water changes. I have no problem doing 1 to 2 a week, but I don't want to feel like there's still too much waste/etc. in the tank because of how it's stocked.
1 Angelfish
6 or 7 lemon tetra
1 German Blue Ram
6 Peppered Cory
4 Oto
1 Mystery Snail
Seems like it might be a little bit much for a 36 bow?
I think it would work for you provided you are regular with water changes and have good filtration. Sounds like it would be a nice setup.
I stick to a 50% pwc every weekend, and it's not unusual for me to sneak in another ~30% midweek. I like my water clear..... and the fish turds that get stuck to the sponge on my filter intake tube just aren't very appealing.
spudjnr123
AC Members
One thing I would watch out for is the ph, a pH of 8 is pretty basic, and fish that prefer a more acidic pH would probably not do great in that high of pH. that being said, I'd go with the rummies or lemons. If you get real driftwood, that may help release tannins, but not sure how much affect it would have. Also, make sure your LFS's tanks are at pH 8 otherwise your looking at some pH change stress. Good luck to ya!
Lupin
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- Sep 21, 2006
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It would require plenty of driftwoods to make a big difference in the pH. Also, the amount of peat used is based on trial and error. You'll need to determine your hardness levels to see how much easier to lower the pH.
2 of my LFS keep their stock in the same high pH tap water... and their angels are local bred. The only one I'm a bit concerned about it the GBR, but again, they are kept in the same water, all of 1/2 mile away from me.
I did pick up $40 worth of Mississippi bogwood yesterday (closest I could get to south american bogwood) in one nice looking piece that's about 14"tall x 8" wide, and another little chunk that's 5" tall and 3" wide... that's about all I intend to do to lower my pH, unless I find another piece that I just have to get... and considering that I have hard water I'm not sure how much of a difference they'll make. For whatever it's worth, they had been in one of my lfs' tanks for ~8 months already... in fact, I almost ended up getting a small stow-away gold nugget pleco with the big piece.
I did pick up $40 worth of Mississippi bogwood yesterday (closest I could get to south american bogwood) in one nice looking piece that's about 14"tall x 8" wide, and another little chunk that's 5" tall and 3" wide... that's about all I intend to do to lower my pH, unless I find another piece that I just have to get... and considering that I have hard water I'm not sure how much of a difference they'll make. For whatever it's worth, they had been in one of my lfs' tanks for ~8 months already... in fact, I almost ended up getting a small stow-away gold nugget pleco with the big piece.
