Another stocking scheme, and temp Q

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HarmonyAZ

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Jan 9, 2004
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I'm looking into another stocking scheme from the Boruchowits book. He admittedly doesn't give all his reasons for combining these species, so thought I'd check something here. This scheme is:

3 platies (he says for cycling, which I don't need)
6 tetras
8 zebra danios
3 cory cats

Again, this is a 29gal with a clown loach now. My question is, I checked the info on this site for temp ranges for each species above, and the only problem I see is the platies like 68-74, but the clown loach likes 76-84. Do you think I could replace the 3 platies with something else, since I don't need the cycling? More tetras, I'm thinking?

Am I over-thinking all this? I just want to plan this out for optimal chance of success. I hate it when the fish die, don't get along, or I have to find them new homes.

THANKS!!!
 
I'd go with more cories instead of more tetras.

Some variation in the temp is okay. A few degrees one way or the other won't cause a problem. Trying to keep fish that like it in the low 70's with fish that prefer the lower 80's probably won't work, but platies will be okay at 78. The more sensitive the fish, the less you want to exceed their 'normal' conditions.
 
I'm not the expert..... won't this be overloaded when the fish mature if you consider the 1 gallon per 1 inch rule? Someone who knows more help me out here.....
 
Danios and the tetras are both very small bio-loads (for most species of tetra), and the group of cories will help keep the bottom clean. The clown is the only significantly sized fish, and a slow grower. While I would put this at the max for stocking, it's not overwhelming so.
 
OrionGirl (or anyone) - It occurred to me today that my aquarium is probably 80-82 in the summer, since that's what my house is. STILL think those platies are ok?

And, just curious, why would you replace them with cories over tetras? I need to learn this stuff!

THANKS
 
Cories will spend most of their time at the bottom of the tank and not compete for "swim space" and "feeding zone" with tetras and danios. (Sorry if I didn't correctly "read your mind" on this OG, just tell me to shut up)
 
Many people have high heat problems in the summer. There are ways to combat this. Some people run a fan across the surface of the water to keep it cool. This will mean topping the water level off daily though (not too big of a problem).

The main concern is that the high temps will mean less dissolved oxygen in the water. You can combat this with more surface aggitation or some people like adding in a airpump and airstone to create bubbles.

More frequent water changes will certainly help when the heat is a bit high.
 
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