Final stock plan - who to get first

[rowdyates]

OK now I'm cycled these are the fish I'm planning on after chewing over various options (180 litre tank, fishless cycle):

6 Harlequins
4 Cherry Barbs
6 Cardinal tetras
3 Ottos
5 Guppies
5 Cory's Julii
2 Rams

Anyway I figure the rams and ottos will come later, I was planning on putting in the harlequins, barbs and tetras as one go, but now I'm not sure, what about the barbs and the cory's first, give it a week then tetras or harlequins then the following week harlequins / tetras which ever didn't come the previous week. Or could I get more in on my first pass. Views greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Keith

 

[sylvia]

I'd put the harlequins in first because they are hardiest. If you fishless cycled with pure ammonia you should also be able to add the guppies now. Otherwise, wait a week. A week after that I'd put in the cories and the cardinals a week after that. Last I'd put in the cherry barbs as these are not a schooling fish and would actualy set up territories - making them good candidates for going in late. Once these are all in, the rams and otos can go in at the same time whenever you feel the tank's mature enough.

 

[SkiFletch]

I'd put the harlequins in first because they are hardiest. If you fishless cycled with pure ammonia you should also be able to add the guppies now. Otherwise, wait a week. A week after that I'd put in the cories and the cardinals a week after that. Last I'd put in the cherry barbs as these are not a schooling fish and would actualy set up territories - making them good candidates for going in late. Once these are all in, the rams and otos can go in at the same time whenever you feel the tank's mature enough.

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What she said

Sounds like a cool tank. The only addition I'd make is to pickup 8 Cardinals when its time because its very likely you'll loose one or two even with a fully cycled tank. Hardier than Neons for sure but still a fragile fish. And if they do survive thats not that much of an extra bio load since they're small individuals

Keep us posted

 

[houndour]

I would put the cardinals in after 6 months. They really need a mature tank. Lots of people have bad experiences with cardinals die-ing in their relatively new tanks.

 

[Bloo]

I would put the cardinals in after 6 months. They really need a mature tank. Lots of people have bad experiences with cardinals die-ing in their relatively new tanks.

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yep I completely agree
some people are lucky - but most aren't.....

 

[scrappy]

My opinion:

Guppies & Harlequins first
Corys after a month
Follwed by Ottos & Barbs after about 2 months
Rams after about 3 months
Cardinals last (3-6 months or more later) as these really do require a very mature tank.

 

[rowdyates]

OK I now have fish, 6 harlequins, thay had some fantastic guppies but they are not available till saturday, so I'll get some on saturday morning
Harlequins are darting about the tank exploring at the moment, its interesting when they are at the back of the tank their clours are dull but at the front they are really golden, I guess this is because of the two different lights. They also like to play in the current, swimming against it then going with the flow...cool.

Cheers,

Keith

 

[BigC]

I'd leave the Ottos until last as the tank needs to be fully mature and a little bit of algal growth. Otherwise disgard them from your list. A planted aquaria with some broadleafed plants suits them best.