Is it safe?

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Ian h

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Jan 14, 2019
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So I've had my tank up and running with fish (9) for a month now. All my levels have stayed stable for 2 weeks, and I want to know if its safe to add more fish. Any advice?
 

dudley

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Feb 9, 2005
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Can you post your tank test results?
 

fishorama

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Jun 28, 2006
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Please tell us more about your tank &, well, everything!

Tank size, fish & sizes, water changes, tap water, etc. Did you ever see ammonia? Nitrite? Plants?

I know you've posted before but I don't recall just what you said or when.
 

Ian h

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Jan 14, 2019
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All good lol
23 gal
9 fish (3 red eye tetras, 4 oto cats, 2 cory cats)
2 weeks without ammonia or nitrites with 1 water change (20-25%) a week
Some carpet plants (can't remember the type) and 1 Anubias .
3 Mopani driftwood peices
 

fishorama

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So, I'm not familiar with the dimensions of a 23g, can you tell us again please?

All of your fish would like to be kept in larger numbers; 6 as a minimum for all your species; more would be better!...if there's tank space...but there might not be...floor space for bottom feeders (corys)? Side to side for schooling tetras?...otos? They're kind of delicate in a fussy feeding "on the glass" kind of way. All "can" be kept in a smaller tank...with the right balance...
 

Ian h

AC Members
Jan 14, 2019
185
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So, I'm not familiar with the dimensions of a 23g, can you tell us again please?

All of your fish would like to be kept in larger numbers; 6 as a minimum for all your species; more would be better!...if there's tank space...but there might not be...floor space for bottom feeders (corys)? Side to side for schooling tetras?...otos? They're kind of delicate in a fussy feeding "on the glass" kind of way. All "can" be kept in a smaller tank...with the right balance...
Dimensions: 30″ x 12″ x 18″ (76.2 cm x 30.48 cm x 45.72 cm)
Yeah I was going to add a few more of each. plus a couple of dwarf loach to eat the snail infestation I got lol
 

fishorama

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Jun 28, 2006
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NO!! Don't get (my favs) loaches to deal with a snail issue. They, like all your fish choices, would like to be kept in a minimum of 6. They, as all your fish, behave much more "normally" in bigger groups. Choose either 6-8 corys OR dwarf loaches...you don't have room for both.

We're trying to help you have balanced tank for the longer term. Think hard...if you can only have 3 species, which 3 will you choose? The biggest issue I see are dwarf loaches vs corys. Pick 1 of those 2.

What kind of snails are you worried about? I like a few...but they may need control...
 

Ian h

AC Members
Jan 14, 2019
185
8
18
41
NO!! Don't get (my favs) loaches to deal with a snail issue. They, like all your fish choices, would like to be kept in a minimum of 6. They, as all your fish, behave much more "normally" in bigger groups. Choose either 6-8 corys OR dwarf loaches...you don't have room for both.

We're trying to help you have balanced tank for the longer term. Think hard...if you can only have 3 species, which 3 will you choose? The biggest issue I see are dwarf loaches vs corys. Pick 1 of those 2.

What kind of snails are you worried about? I like a few...but they may need control...
ok so loaches are out lol more cory's and oto's it is!! looks like bladder snails, and I just found a different one today... Not sure what kind.. might be a ram horn.
 

fishorama

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Jun 28, 2006
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I like ramshorn snails better than bladder snails. Both have pretty weak shells & can be smushed against the glass to kill them...unless you're very squeemish. The corys may eat the "leftovers". Both lay "jelly masses" of eggs; they can be scraped off & vacuumed out...but just scraping them off is not enough.

Trumpet snails have much harder shells. Less food for all snails is a first step to their control.
 
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