Are my fish full?

[Fishmanic]

Try not to feed so much that leftover flakes get sucked into the filter or go to the bottom. Rotting flakes can lead to pollution and the only solution to pollution is dilution via a water change and substrate vac.

You qualify as as "Fish Nerd" as described in the topic here:

A bit of fun...Fish Nerds

First I'm gonna use the term Fish Nerd as an endearment.... In every hobby there are those with a great amount of passion and I love meeting those people....but how do you know when you've joined the ranks of the passionate? here's a tongue in cheek list...you know you're a fish Nerd when...

www.fishforums.net

 

[mrsjoannh13]

Hahaha I love you guys!!

Is it possible to give a smaller pinch of food each time you feed them? The tetras likely won't swim to the bottom to pick at the leftover flakes, so I don't see anything wrong with feeding them twice a day if you're able to give them an amount that they fully consume in the 30sec timeframe.

*Watches as group of OFFA members get out their pitchforks to brandish me out of the gathering for even suggesting that frequent feedings are ok *

Is it POSSIBLE??? Sure... I mean anything is possible.

(taking deep breaths thinking about restricting feeding amount to a small pinch).....

 

[Fish4dawin]

Trying not to critique here, but you really should look at investing in some bottom feeders. What is your GH for your waters and then we could suggest some loaches or corys that would help clean the bottom. As @Fishmanic said uneaten food will poison the water and your fish will get sick which is not what anyone would want. Look into some bottom feeders as they will help you with not over feeding your fish.

 

[mcordelia]

I would make the argument that "get more animals" is never a solution to a tank problem. It's not a solution to algae, it's not a solution to overfeeding, it's generally not a solution to any problem, it just covers up the symptom or changes the problem to something else. While @mrsjoannh13 absolutely has the choice of whether she wants a bottom dweller, shrimp, or snail, I think the motivation for that decision should arise out of a genuine interest for that animal as opposed to using it to solve a problem. One could also argue that plants will take care of rotting food at the bottom (with just a little bit more time) without adding to the bioload.

 

[Fish4dawin]

I would make the argument that "get more animals" is never a solution to a tank problem. It's not a solution to algae, it's not a solution to overfeeding, it's generally not a solution to any problem, it just covers up the symptom or changes the problem to something else. While @mrsjoannh13 absolutely has the choice of whether she wants a bottom dweller, shrimp, or snail, I think the motivation for that decision should arise out of a genuine interest for that animal as opposed to using it to solve a problem. One could also argue that plants will take care of rotting food at the bottom (with just a little bit more time) without adding to the bioload.

That is very true and I’m sorry @mrsjoannh13 if you felt pressured by me to buy bottom feeders.

Btw @mcordelia you are at 666 messages lol.

 

[mcordelia]

Oh no! Must post new message! Bad ju ju!

 

[mrsjoannh13]

I would make the argument that "get more animals" is never a solution to a tank problem. It's not a solution to algae, it's not a solution to overfeeding, it's generally not a solution to any problem, it just covers up the symptom or changes the problem to something else. While @mrsjoannh13 absolutely has the choice of whether she wants a bottom dweller, shrimp, or snail, I think the motivation for that decision should arise out of a genuine interest for that animal as opposed to using it to solve a problem. One could also argue that plants will take care of rotting food at the bottom (with just a little bit more time) without adding to the bioload.

I am not planning to get any more fish for this tank. It's a 20g and I have 6 tetras in there now and we'll probably get lucky #7 this weekend. And that will be it. So far I have not had any issues with water quality. Ammonia is always 0, water is clear and I do weekly water changes and gravel vac. I don't see huge amounts of stuff coming up during the gravel vac.

I do appreciate all the suggestions. I am planning to start a 2nd 20g tank for my study (it's my Christmas gift - YAY) and I am planning on getting 6 cory cats and 1 betta. I do love me some bottom feeders, LOL.

Thanks for all of the input. I am new to the hobby and appreciate everyone's ideas.

 

[mrsjoannh13]

Trying not to critique here, but you really should look at investing in some bottom feeders. What is your GH for your waters and then we could suggest some loaches or corys that would help clean the bottom. As @Fishmanic said uneaten food will poison the water and your fish will get sick which is not what anyone would want. Look into some bottom feeders as they will help you with not over feeding your fish.

As noted below, not planning on getting more fish for this tank but I'll be starting another 20g and would like to get 6 cory cats. These are my water parameters (I use tap water that comes through a filter):
Hardness (GH) 25ppm
Chlorine 0
Alkalinity (KH) about 120 ppm
pH about 7.6

Any suggestions for bottom feeders with this water is appreciated, but leaning towards cory cats. Thank you!

 

[mcordelia]

@NCaquatics is the cory cat queen I'm sure she will have some ideas on species for you!

Also, personally I'm biased towards cories, they're really fun to watch

 

[mrsjoannh13]

@NCaquatics is the cory cat queen I'm sure she will have some ideas on species for you!

Also, personally I'm biased towards cories, they're really fun to watch

They are so cute I kinda can't stand it.

 

[CassCats]

Many species would be very good for that water.

One particularly would love your very soft water... corydoras adolfoi. Its one species of corydoras that needs very very soft water (my water is 89.5 ppm GH and at the very top of their limit!) So I would definitely look into this species especially as it would do best with your water conditions.

Corydoras adolfoi – Adolfo’s Cory — Seriously Fish

www.seriouslyfish.com

 

[mrsjoannh13]

Many species would be very good for that water.

One particularly would love your very soft water... corydoras adolfoi. Its one species of corydoras that needs very very soft water (my water is 89.5 ppm GH and at the very top of their limit!) So I would definitely look into this species especially as it would do best with your water conditions.

Corydoras adolfoi – Adolfo’s Cory — Seriously Fish

www.seriouslyfish.com

Would sterbai corys do well in my water? I really like those.

 

[CassCats]

Yes they would

Corydoras sterbai (Sterba's Cory) — Seriously Fish

www.seriouslyfish.com

 

[Fish4dawin]

Many species would be very good for that water.

One particularly would love your very soft water... corydoras adolfoi. Its one species of corydoras that needs very very soft water (my water is 89.5 ppm GH and at the very top of their limit!) So I would definitely look into this species especially as it would do best with your water conditions.

Corydoras adolfoi – Adolfo’s Cory — Seriously Fish

www.seriouslyfish.com

I have these they are so awesome. I think they are also called panda corys unless that is a different species

 

[CassCats]

I have these they are so awesome. I think they are also called panda corys unless that is a different species

Different species, panda corydoras

Corydoras panda (Panda Cory) — Seriously Fish

www.seriouslyfish.com

Pandas are delicate, especially in North America so id be wary choosing them.