Fish Stocking Advice

[NannaLou]

Following on from the conversation about Brown algae (I didn’t want to dis rail that thread) I’ve started this one:

I have a newly established tank (not fully cycled yet) that has algae ?.

I have hard (very) water but Incant remember the numbers off of the top of my head.

The plan was to have 18-24 Endlers but Otos have now been suggested to clear the algae.

The tank is heavily planted (not fully established) and has a sand substrate.

I think that the Otos and Endlers will be compatible? But from reading it says they need a mature tank - once the tank is mature, the algae will probably be gone..? How is a “mature” tank defined..? Stable water parameters? Length of time it’s been running (not cycling)..? Aqadvisor says that 3 Otos and 18 Endlers would be 83% stocking level. Would this be a good mix? (The tank is 24 x 12 x 12 inches).

 

[Lajos_Detari]

Actually Otos are soft water fish.(GH 1-12).
It's not suitable if you have hard water.
Otos need to have plenty of algae to eat, else they will starve.
For Otos, its best to have bigger group of at least 6.
Most people suggestion is to let the algae grow for 1-2 months before bringing them in.

Endlers are hard water fish.(GH 15-35)
I suggest that you don't add all at the same time when your tank has fully cycled. It will overload your tank.
Probably bring them in batches of 6 at a time.
For how long you have to wait before adding the next batch, I will leave it to others to comment as I am usually not so strict on this.

 

[Sunnyspots]

I have algae in my tank (also still cycling) but read that having plenty of live plants, not feeding them or minimally so, and added CO2 should help. That's what I'm trying at the moment, plus decreased lighting of course.

 

[Dephea]

My tank is heavily planted and I never had major algae issue but I did try to follow instructions on fertilisers to the dot. I am very new at fish keeping so I was genuinely doing it all as told, limiting the light, feeding plants and most importantly added Co2. I also added a few floating plants so the light is diffused. Not sure how advanced you are but might be worth to research those options Can't comment on the fish as I know FA about that

 

[Sunnyspots]

My tank is heavily planted and I never had major algae issue but I did try to follow instructions on fertilisers to the dot. I am very new at fish keeping so I was genuinely doing it all as told, limiting the light, feeding plants and most importantly added Co2. I also added a few floating plants so the light is diffused. Not sure how advanced you are but might be worth to research those options Can't comment on the fish as I know FA about that

The only thing there I'm not doing is watching the fertiliser, but that's because I've only added it once. My plants are all bubbling nicely today, and the Salvinia natans has all grown longer roots. I think the tank might look less green now, but it could be the changed lighting. I'm pleased with my added CO2 so far. I just hope the pH doesn't drop too much. My KH needed raising though so that's a good thing.

 

[NannaLou]

My tank is a low tech/Walstad style so only has light from the window...

blind up and blind down in the photos..
I’m not adding fertiliser at the moment as there is soil under the sand and I don’t add CO2. I have put a small air filter in at the weekend as I was worried that the water was stagnating...still not been able to work that out in my thinking...Lots of Walstad tanks say you don’t need filters, others say you need to keep water movement... any thoughts?

What other options are there instead of the Otos..? I don’t think shrimp are an option at the moment as they like a mature tank...

 

[Sunnyspots]

Nerites and other snails eat algae. And I think livebearers in general eat some (?), plus they like harder water. I don't know enough about the fish yet and forgot you are still cycling. Snails?

 

[NannaLou]

Can snails go in an uncycled tank..?

 

[PlasticGalaxy]

Can snails go in an uncycled tank..?

Malaysian trumpet snails most certainly can. I think that bladder snails can, too. I don't know much about other snails, though.

 

[Sunnyspots]

Can snails go in an uncycled tank..?

I think so. Mine has a few already that hitched a ride in on the plants. My daughter has taken one away in a pot with mostly tap water and some algae from my tank and it seems very happy, eating etc.

 

[Sunnyspots]

Malaysian trumpet snails most certainly can. I think that bladder snails can, too. I don't know much about other snails, though.

Yes, my daughter's 'pet' seems to be an MTS!

 

[WhistlingBadger]

How big is your tank?

If your water's hard, finish cycling and then add a bunch of amano shrimp, up to one per gallon of water, with your endlers.

 

[NannaLou]

How big is your tank?

If your water's hard, finish cycling and then add a bunch of amano shrimp, up to one per gallon of water, with your endlers.

54 ltrs (24 x 12 x 12 inches)

 

[PlasticGalaxy]

Yes, my daughter's 'pet' seems to be an MTS!

Haha, if she's interested she can have some of mine! I've got loads! They're great fun.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

54 ltrs (24 x 12 x 12 inches)

So, you could probably get ten or so amanos. They'd be happy to take advantage of that algae resource you're cultivating.