My stock. Just wondering if I might have overdone it

[NeonFlux]

Can you explain to me how he made a terrible mistake buying 5 SD's? They are a schooling fish, so 5 makes more sense than 2 (I looked at getting SD's for my 55G but decided against them because of the size/school needed).

They would tend to get nippy if in a group imo. I once had a SD that would try to devour one of my silver dollars, I taken him out and replaced him. Shy and all, sometimes they are prone to use more of their instincts a lot more often when in groups, like splashing the water at above water level when they are in their own little world(thats not really a problem though unless you cover the top after you feed). You just gotta be careful of which silver dollar you choose,(choosing the ones that do not nip, or the lonely ones in the SD sale tank) because if you choose the wrong one, some bad things might happen. Good luck abc.

 

[Lupin]

If they get nippy because they are kept in a group, it is just their nature to do that. I don't think schooling fish should be deprived of their company even in captivity.

 

[ZSandmann]

Thanks for the suggestions and thoughts, Sandman. Now thats what I call a good post. As for the partial water change of only 25%, is it okay if I'll go for 40% water change then? I do gravel vaccuming as well...but not too much ^_^ Thats fair, no?Or not fair at all! . I test my water regularly with API Pharm. master freshwater test kit. I want to make sure my nitrates are at decent level, pH is good with no fluctuations , and etc. Thankfully so far my readings are far from abnormal . I bought 4 small corydoras yesterday at petsmart;leaving a mad post here in aquaria central behind before going -_-;;. As for the pleco you mention, and it reaching 18 inches, this "pleco" of mine only reaches to a size of approximately 4 inches. A brown bristlenose pleco;heard of it? If no, research about it. It's a great algae eater. . Anyway If the SD's go wrong, ah, I'll have no choice but might replace them with the fish you recommended then.
I doubt something bad will happen though. Hopefully I'll keep doubting and it'll never happen lol. So yeah, again, thanks for the suggestions. *Gives sandman a handshake*

I'm thrilled you got more corys, what kind? They will love you for that.

If you are absolutely set on only doing a water change every 2-3 weeks, yes I would say a larger change is better. And the API kit is perfect, that is what I use as well. Remember that even if the big 4 check out (pH, Am, ites and ates) there are other factors you don't directly test such as trace minerals and metals. In a wild environment these are replenished naturally by an open system but in aquaria we create a closed system that mimics an open system by water change, filtration, and water movement.

Bristlenose is indeed a smaller pleco than a common, just keep an eye on its growth, you wouldn't want to stunt it, PS ones are generally an inch or so, so you have time. On the SDs, still wish you would reconsider this choice in this community tank, but I understand you like them and are watching them closely for behavioral changes. So I will let it go, people make odd combinations work sometimes.

 

[Cory Keeper]

just about the only way to stunt a BN growth is if you stick it in a 10g, 20 Long might just be enough for one.