Made Some Changes, New Questions

[hdoanjnr]

I have moved on to a larger tank (7 gallons), I could not go any larger due to space and weight considerations.

I have started the cycle process and I did use an additive to help start it along (interesting how some people recommend this, others do not)

I have also put in the additive to help reduce the chlorine count.

I tested the ph, and it is a little higher than I would like. I understand it may be difficult to get it down, but keep trying.


I realize that one should try to reach both recommended levels of ph and ammonia for the fish you have, but in the long run would the ammonia level be more critical.


As to fish count, one book I have from the library says length x width (no consideration for tank height) is the key number of fish housed.

David Alderton in his book Freshwater Aquariums - Basic Acquarium Setup and Maintenance (2003) page 18 writes: "Allow 30sq in (194 sc cm) of surface area per inch of cold water fish (length of fish minus tail), compared with 12 sq in (77 sq cm) for tropicals when calculating the size. You can calculate this surface area figure easily, simply by length of the multiplying the length of the aquarium by its width".

How does this compare to the other measure of 1" fish per gallon.

In my case length x width does allow for more fish.

Thanks

 

[ChicoRaton]

I tested the ph, and it is a little higher than I would like. I understand it may be difficult to get it down, but keep trying.

Unless your pH is WAY off, don't adjust it. most fish will do fine unless you're trying to breed the most sensitive species. Adjusting it will only cause more fluctuation and headache for you and stress for the fish.

I realize that one should try to reach both recommended levels of ph and ammonia for the fish you have, but in the long run would the ammonia level be more critical.

As I said, the pH isn't all that important. it's more about keeping it stable through frequent partial water changes.

Ammonia, though, will kill your fish. ideal level for all species is 0. Read the cycling sticky thread in the freshwater newbie forum. Fishless cycling is a good idea, that way, you never have to worry about ammonia killing your fish.

As far as the "inch per gallon" or "Inch per square foot" rule, they are really the exception more than the rule. You could house more than 7 inches of neon tetras in a 7 gallon tank, but you could only house a couple 2-3 inch fish. The bast way to figure out how many fish to put in a tank is to come here with your stocking ideas and see what the old-timers have to say. The factors involved in deciding if something is overstocked are aggression, size, waste production, etc. The inch per gallon rule is a gross oversimplification.

Hope that helps and good luck