30 Ltr Biorb

[30tooo]

How many inches of fish can you put in a 30 litre Biorb . At the moment there is

2 guppies
4 minnows
1 harlequin
1 Neon tetra
1 pair dwarf guaramis
3 priscilian tetras
4 sepia tetras

Is it possible to add more neons or harlequins or maybe both ?

 

[dwarfgourami]

30 ltr is just under 8 gallons. According to the basic inch/gallon rule, this should give you 8 inches of fish- but then it is a bioorb, which means less surface area=less oxygen. Just roughly looking at your stock, I would say that you are overstocked by at least 100%, if not 200 %. This is not just about bioload, it is also about oxygen and swimming space/space for territories. Serpae tetras are highly active and need swimming space. All the tetras you have, and harlequins, are schooling species and need to be in groups of 6-8 of the same species. The dwarf gouramis need more room, at least if youa re not sure they are both females. There should only be one male in such a small tank, and a female would need more space+ plants to be able to hide away from his attentions. The minnows, if they are White Clound Mountain minnows prefer cooler temperatures, while the gouramis like it quite warm.

 

[30tooo]

Thanks for that . It is not my tank , but a friend who seems to be getting conflicting advice from the lfs . And unfortunately she does not have the benefit of the internet . I personally always thought the calculations were made using the surface area of the tank . Unfortunatley with a biorb you need to know the diameter at the surface to be able to do the calculations . That is assuming all the fish you have all get on well , are loners , and need no petty little things called teritories , swimming space , hidy holes and the like . Nuthins easy . I will pass on your advice .

 

[Tsi_User]

As dwarfgourami stated if you follow the inch/gallon rule (which applies to non-aggressive fish such as your friends) the tank is beyond full and I would suggest removing a few of the fish.

Does she test the water?

The Dwarf Gourami should be the first to go IMO they need at least 10 gallons.

 

[30tooo]

I know she checks the water very frequently with the LFS . When I passed on the reply from dwarfguarami , she said that she was not surprised . She said last night that she would thin out the residents of her tank . Presumably pass them on to myself or take them back to the LFS . The problem really is with the LFS . There are four people there and only two of them agree with each other . The other two are at odds with them and each other . Poor show really . This is not to helpful for people who are new to this great hobby . Nevermind .