Size
- Thread starter DebbyLynn
- Start date
Size of the tank, generally. You can always post your tank size and what you're thinking about stocking with here and people can give you feedback on it. I found this to be an awfully big help when I was first stocking my tank.
Personally, I would never stock any of my own tanks to such an extreme degree that I have to worry about that. Please don't tell me that you're using the "inch-per-gallon" thing. I'm not going to call it a rule b/c it is absolutely worthless.
However,
For dosing, I calculate the actual volume of water in the tank/filtration system. Volume of ornaments is easy to measure via water displacement (before you put them in the tank), and I estimate the sand bed as having no water in it (though I know that there is some).
Much luck.
However,
For dosing, I calculate the actual volume of water in the tank/filtration system. Volume of ornaments is easy to measure via water displacement (before you put them in the tank), and I estimate the sand bed as having no water in it (though I know that there is some).
Much luck.
I have 2 tanks at the moment. 10 gallon:
2 head & tail lights
2 panda cory's (will be getting soon)
1 male betta (will be getting soon)
58 gallon:
1 pleco
2 pictus catfish
4 spotted cory's
4 white clouds
6 danio's - 2 each of zebra, gold, and leopard
How many more is too much for either tank? Once I can find my film for my camera I can try out posting some pics. LOL Thanks again for the advice and help.
Head & Tail light tetras enjoy being in their own company. So do corys. Consider getting 5 of the tetras and...I don't know. 10 gallons is so small that you'll be hard-pressed to keep the tetras and corys in groups. Maybe 5 tetras and 3-4 corys, and hold off on the betta until you know whether or not you'll be able to keep up with the bioload of the tetras and corys alone (via water monitering).
With respect to the 58g, if that is a "common pleco" you will want to gt rid of it soon. They are behemouths. I'm surprised that the pictus cats haven't thinned the numbers of your white clouds or danios. You can try bumping up the number of white clouds to 8-10 and corys up to 6. Otherwise just lose the pleco and enjoy the setup that you have now.
Less is more as a general rule, and look into fish behavior. Many fish will act much differently if taken out of the group dynamic that they enjoy naturally.
With respect to the 58g, if that is a "common pleco" you will want to gt rid of it soon. They are behemouths. I'm surprised that the pictus cats haven't thinned the numbers of your white clouds or danios. You can try bumping up the number of white clouds to 8-10 and corys up to 6. Otherwise just lose the pleco and enjoy the setup that you have now.
Less is more as a general rule, and look into fish behavior. Many fish will act much differently if taken out of the group dynamic that they enjoy naturally.
My 10 gallon tank is a hexagon so that is why I was thinking the betta as it would tend to be at the top while the cory's stayed near the bottom and the other in between. LOL
As for the pictus eating the danio's and white clouds, I'm hoping they will be ok. I had the danio's and white clouds in the 10 gallon and added a cory. They followed the cory around almost as if they were mimicking him going up and down the tank side. Then after I moved them all to the 58 and got the pictus the danio's and white clouds did the same thing. It was almost as if they were teasing them. Then I noticed they chased the pictus and the pictus would chase them back. No nipped tails so far. They sure are entertaining.
I'd still like some more thoughts on my tank loads and what if any more I should or shouldn't get. I'm still working on getting the water tested after using bio spira in the 58 gallon. It seems to be working as far as I can tell.
Thanks again
As for the pictus eating the danio's and white clouds, I'm hoping they will be ok. I had the danio's and white clouds in the 10 gallon and added a cory. They followed the cory around almost as if they were mimicking him going up and down the tank side. Then after I moved them all to the 58 and got the pictus the danio's and white clouds did the same thing. It was almost as if they were teasing them. Then I noticed they chased the pictus and the pictus would chase them back. No nipped tails so far. They sure are entertaining.
I'd still like some more thoughts on my tank loads and what if any more I should or shouldn't get. I'm still working on getting the water tested after using bio spira in the 58 gallon. It seems to be working as far as I can tell.
Thanks again
DebbyLynn said:
10 gallon:
2 head & tail lights
2 panda cory's (will be getting soon)
1 male betta (will be getting soon)
I consider three as a minimum for any corydora and four would be better. In a ten gallon hex this might be a stretch. The problem is surface area. The square inches of gravel/sand area is less in a hex than in a standard 10g. If you really want corys, considering one of the smaller types like the panda.
For any tetra I think of 6 as a real minimum. Its just opinion but I think you're on the right track with those for a 10g hex because they don't do a whole lot of speedy, rangy swimming.
I might hold off on the betta. Its likely to be crowded. I'd add him last anyway to avoid any territorial disputes but try mantaining the tank with just 3 corys and 6 tetras for a month or two. If its doing well and you think its "empty" enough for the betta its a judgement call.
I have a betta and three corys in an 8g hex. Its too much. There's too little floor space for the corys and with a decoration and some plants its just enough space for the betta. Consider some amano shrimp for extra activity.
58 gallon:
1 pleco
2 pictus catfish
4 spotted cory's
4 white clouds
6 danio's - 2 each of zebra, gold, and leopard
How many more is too much for either tank? Once I can find my film for my camera I can try out posting some pics. LOL Thanks again for the advice and help.
The pleco will get big (up to 18" or more) but it will take a while. They are messy though so that coupled with the relatively small tank size (in relation to his max size) would call for very regular water changes.
ok I won't be getting a betta. I have read more post on them plus with the advice from here it would be better to not have one. I do like the head & tail light tetras look. Can you put other tetras together like lemon tetras or rummynose tetras? I will most likely get the panda cory's. They seem to start out a lot smaller than the cory's I have now.
What is a good size tank for a full grown pleco? If it comes down to having to move him when he gets bigger, I don't know if I could part with him. Plus the hubby mentioned that we may not stop with just 2 tanks. LOL
Thank you again!
What is a good size tank for a full grown pleco? If it comes down to having to move him when he gets bigger, I don't know if I could part with him. Plus the hubby mentioned that we may not stop with just 2 tanks. LOL
Thank you again!
Well, a common Pleco can get to be 18 inches long. A foot long is pretty common. They can live up to 20 years (maybe more, we're finding with more advances in the aquarium hobby that fish can live a lot longer than we originally thought!) and peronally I wouldn't put one in anything less than a 75 gallon. Some places I've read say a 45 is fine while others suggest a 100 or 125 gallon. If the husband is into bigger tanks too, I say shoot for the moon and start working out a budget for a 125. Currently, a 125 gallon community tank with fish to a max size of 4-6 inches is one of my dreams. There are some really pretty Plecostamus out there that would just look awesome in a tnak like that... Oh, umm, sorry for the reverie. 
Good luck!
Good luck!
I'll ditto Harlock here. My line of thinking is that if the fish can grow to 18" long a tank that is 18" wide will offer easy turn around room.
One thing to consider with the pleco besides its size and tank size needs is their "bull-in-a-china-shop" effect. Because they big and not the most graceful of swimmers they have a tendency to uproot plants and dislodge decoractions when their accomodations are tight. Obivously not a big deal when its only 4" long but certainly something that should have you thinking when considering your next tank.
One thing to consider with the pleco besides its size and tank size needs is their "bull-in-a-china-shop" effect. Because they big and not the most graceful of swimmers they have a tendency to uproot plants and dislodge decoractions when their accomodations are tight. Obivously not a big deal when its only 4" long but certainly something that should have you thinking when considering your next tank.