The End Is Near

L

livingword26

AC Members
Dec 5, 2006
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Kansas, USA
www.aquariacentral.com
I am at the end of my 5th week. I have been doing multiple daily water changes to keep my chemicals where they should be. This morning my readings were:

Ph: 7.6
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite .25
Nitrate 5.0

I was beginning to wonder if the nitrites would ever get under control. In a week or so, when my nitrites are 0, I am considering putting an Otocinclus catfish in for a little algae control, and maybe another type of shrimp. Would this be to much? Am I already maxed out? Or can my tank handle all of this?
 
I wouldn't put ottos in until the tank is well established for 6-9 months.
 
Ok. In 6 to 9 months, will adding the Otocinclus catfish and another shrimp be ok. Should I get more than one? Do they need tank mates? (the catfish)
 
rbishop - why would you wait so long to put ottos in there? Are they that fragile of a fish, or are you waiting for enough algae to grow to supply them with food?

Also, if ottos like to be in groups..how many would you recommend for a 10G and for a 20G? I was thinking about getting a few for both of my tanks, but both have been running for less than 6 months.
 
I was told by some planted tank experts to put ottos in my tank as soon as it finished cycling. They were the first fish to go in, and I still have most of them. But yes, they are very sensitive to bad water conditions! Ottos don't add to the bioload much, though, especially in a planted tank.
 
I consider them a bit more sensitive to changing conditions and prefer the tank to be well established before I put them in. Also, in a new tank, just finished cycling they usually don't have a lot of algae to eat. I would lay odds that more otos' are starved to death than anything else.
 
Again, does anyone have an opinion as to whether or not an Otto, or perhaps 2, would make my tank overstocked, after 6 to 9 months of course?
 
I'd put in three, but keep up on the water changes.
 
Thanks
 
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