20G Stocking

[fire4ice]

My community tank is a 20G long tank, dimensions 30"x12"x12". It's running a Hagen Aquaclear 50 filter that is fully cycled and has been running for about 4 months. It has a sand substrate, with a big piece of driftwood, with java moss, java ferns, and anubias. I'm also hoping to get more plants soon, and turn the back wall of the tank into a moss wall.

This is my current stocking:

2 female mollies
1 male platy
1 male swordtail
1 pearl gourami
5 rummynose tetras
7 glowlight tetras
1 otocinclus

The tank seemed pretty empty until I added the glowlight tetras; now it's nice and active and the fish look very happy. It seems pretty well stocked. However, the reason I switched to (pain in the butt) sand in the first place was so I could eventually get bottom feeders like cories or kuhli loaches. I'm also super in love with catfish and plecos, so I really wish I could have at least one of these types of fish in my tank. If I add a second filter, could I reasonably accommodate any more fish in this tank? If so, which type of fish would be the best fit? And what sort of filter might be sufficient?

Upgrading to a 29G with the same footprint is also a possibility, but from my understanding, since it would have the same surface area, I think I wouldn't actually be able to stock many more fish?

 

[The Other Lebowski]

i think you can accommodate 3 or 4 smaller sized corries, but it will be tight. why dont you just get rid o some of the fish? the livebearers crap twice as much as your tetras.

 

[sami the cichlid]

the tanks quite full, mabey 1 or 2 cories is only just pushing it, im no expert tho

 

[fire4ice]

I actually did rehome a couple fish before I got the tetras, but I'm pretty attached to the ones I have now. I'm definitely not planning on getting any more livebearers. They are eating and pooping machines! It might be a possibility to move one of the mollies to my 10G tank, but I'd rather go with adding additional filtration if that would work.

 

[drobbyb]

As a general rule, I would not advise overstocking your tank if you are a beginner or if the tank is less than 6 moonths old. Too many complicated problems can pop up, and with a tank with little volume like a 20 long, things can get out of balance fast.

Technicailly speaking, as long as you have enough biological media and turnover with large frequent waterchanges you could probably get away with 4 corys. But like I said, it's really not ment for new tanks or beginners.

 

[fire4ice]

As a general rule, I would not advise overstocking your tank if you are a beginner or if the tank is less than 6 moonths old. Too many complicated problems can pop up, and with a tank with little volume like a 20 long, things can get out of balance fast.

Technicailly speaking, as long as you have enough biological media and turnover with large frequent waterchanges you could probably get away with 4 corys. But like I said, it's really not ment for new tanks or beginners.

Okay, so I should just hold off for now and maybe re-examine my stocking in a few months? I might have the livebearers in another tank by then, anyway.

Do you think the current filtration is adequate for the current stock?

 

[Darkerwhite2]

the tanks quite full, mabey 1 or 2 cories is only just pushing it, im no expert tho

Cory's need! to be in larger group than 1 or two, they simply are not suited for lonely lives! Groups from 5 up up, the more the better!

I would also suggest rehoming some fish before adding. It's a great excuse to buy more tanks!!!! MTS!!!!

How are your water stats now with your current stock and what is your maintenance schedule like?

 

[fire4ice]

I haven't tested after I added the new tetras a few days ago, but usually 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and maybe 5-10 nitrate. I change 25% of the water weekly or slightly more often.

I want to get a new tank once I figure out a spot! Contemplating which piece of furniture is least necessary right now...

 

[yhbae]

You do have a tank with a nice footprint, so you are ok with your current stock level but you are getting near the limit. As others are saying, better be safe and not go near that limit if you are not experienced yet.

You may want to upgrade your filter. Although it says it is good for 40g, you should take that with a grain of salt. I always go with roughly 50% of the manufacturer quoted number.

I just tried your stock on aqadvisor.com:

Your stock plan

It will tell you couple of warnings. It will suggest to get at least 3 of live bearers because a typical suggestion for them is to get 1 male + 2 females. You don't have that problem. It will also warn you to get at least 6 tetras. Once again, it works fine for some with less number than that but more the better. The last warning will be about interbreeding possibilities between the 3 livebearers. I personally haven't experienced this but I found some articles that talk about it hence the program reports it.

Good luck!