Help Me Stock! 30g Planted w/ Cardinals

[Essjay]

They seem to have higher GH requirements than I can provide. My water is 12 dGH and I'm reading they need 20 minimum. Does that sound right?

The GH requirements of bristlenose plecs is 1 to 15 dH. Bristlenoses are soft water fish.

Ancistrus sp. ‘3’ – Common Bristlenose Catfish, Antennenwels (DE) (Ancistrus sp. 3) — Seriously Fish

www.seriouslyfish.com

Plecs of all species are poop machines, something to bear in mind.

 

[PorshaF]

Clown pleco are good for 10gh water, and around 7ph, they like a bit warmer water. Still poop a lot, but do wonders for driftwood, that seems to be primarily where mine stays. They're also one of the smaller species so no need to worry about rehoming or moving when it matures

 

[Byron]

i will have 4 cories altogether.

You need more than four cories in a tank; a group of 7-9 or more will be less stressful for them, and you have the space. If it is one of the pygmy/dwarf species, even more would be better, 15or so. Change the substrate to sand though, and Quikrete Play Sand is about the best there is for this.

 

[Madisonkeug]

Just

I don't have cardinal tetras, but I do have ember tetras with honey gouramis and a pair of german blue rams. I also have corys, but they're on a sand substrate. The honey gouramis are much more interesting in a shoal. I have seven.

curious how big is this tank? I’d love to add some blue rams to my tank but I don’t have as many honeys... but would LOVE to add more

 

[MammaBearinTN]

Just

curious how big is this tank? I’d love to add some blue rams to my tank but I don’t have as many honeys... but would LOVE to add more

I have a 30 gallon long (36") With a bit of overfiltration , Aqadvisor has me just at my limit (with full grown fish). The tank is definitely not overstocked, and I think the fish are much less stressed with several of their own kind.

About the german blue rams - I bought 5 young rams and let them "grow up" together. One died, and after a male and female paired up, I rehomed the other two, since one of them was getting harrassed by the pair. The rams get along great with all the other fish, although they will chase the honey gouramis away from their section of the tank, sometimes.

I absolutely love this combination of fish. The colors are very pretty together.

 

[Madisonkeug]

I have a 30 gallon long (36") With a bit of overfiltration , Aqadvisor has me just at my limit (with full grown fish). The tank is definitely not overstocked, and I think the fish are much less stressed with several of their own kind.

About the german blue rams - I bought 5 young rams and let them "grow up" together. One died, and after a male and female paired up, I rehomed the other two, since one of them was getting harrassed by the pair. The rams get along great with all the other fish, although they will chase the honey gouramis away from their section of the tank, sometimes.

I absolutely love this combination of fish. The colors are very pretty together.

Yes I love that idea! Might have to add some to my tank!! I have a 26 gal with 8 corys, 3 kuhli loaches and some honeys I’ll have to add more honeys and get some blue rams in there too that will look amazing! I’ve just been nervous to over stock! I have an adjustable HOB filter which has been awesome so far so I’m glad you’ve had success with it in a similar situation!

 

[Byron]

Yes I love that idea! Might have to add some to my tank!! I have a 26 gal with 8 corys, 3 kuhli loaches and some honeys I’ll have to add more honeys and get some blue rams in there too that will look amazing! I’ve just been nervous to over stock! I have an adjustable HOB filter which has been awesome so far so I’m glad you’ve had success with it in a similar situation!

The blue ram (in any of its varieties) needs warmer temperatures, 82F/28C, and this will burn out cories that should not be maintained above 78F/26C long-term.

 

[MammaBearinTN]

The blue ram (in any of its varieties) needs warmer temperatures, 82F/28C, and this will burn out cories that should not be maintained above 78F/26C long-term.

My german blue rams have done beautifully at 78F, and since I don't care if they have fry, I don't intend to raise the temperature. They're active, and in great condition and color.

 

[MammaBearinTN]

Yes I love that idea! Might have to add some to my tank!! I have a 26 gal with 8 corys, 3 kuhli loaches and some honeys I’ll have to add more honeys and get some blue rams in there too that will look amazing! I’ve just been nervous to over stock! I have an adjustable HOB filter which has been awesome so far so I’m glad you’ve had success with it in a similar situation!

I don't think your tank is big enough for all the fish you want. Don't we all have that problem?

 

[finfayce]

hi
i b

You need more than four cories in a tank; a group of 7-9 or more will be less stressful for them, and you have the space. If it is one of the pygmy/dwarf species, even more would be better, 15or so. Change the substrate to sand though, and Quikrete Play Sand is about the best there is for

i did order sand. i bought what i could afford at the time. shipping is $40 so our retiree budget counts on social security payments. my husband has a few investments, but i usually wait till i have my own money. i don’t why i’m boring you with my finances, maybe so you understand my spending on my fish. sorry.

 

[Gemtrox42]

Clown pleco are good for 10gh water, and around 7ph, they like a bit warmer water. Still poop a lot, but do wonders for driftwood, that seems to be primarily where mine stays. They're also one of the smaller species so no need to worry about rehoming or moving when it matures

This sounds like exactly what I was looking for! How many do you think I should have in a 30 gallon? And I'm assuming they are ok with gravel?

 

[Byron]

This sounds like exactly what I was looking for! How many do you think I should have in a 30 gallon? And I'm assuming they are ok with gravel?

Only one of this fish in this sized tank; while it attains 3-4 inches, it is quite territorial with its own species, but otherwise usually peaceful and shy. It will not usually be out and about in bright light, and some aquarists never see it. It needs real wood as it actually does ingest wood as part of its diet.

 

[PorshaF]

Exactly what @Byron said. I enjoy mine by Blue LEDs at night but one per 30 gallons is good. If you get a larger tank later on and decide to get more I would do a male and a female in a 55 minimum. They're difficult to breed so that shouldn't be an issue, but the different genders will help with same species territorial aggression in a larger community

 

[Gemtrox42]

Only one of this fish in this sized tank; while it attains 3-4 inches, it is quite territorial with its own species, but otherwise usually peaceful and shy. It will not usually be out and about in bright light, and some aquarists never see it. It needs real wood as it actually does ingest wood as part of its diet.

I have a huge piece of mopani driftwood that takes up 1/3rd of the tank bottom, as well as cholla logs. Is that enough?

 

[Byron]

I have a huge piece of mopani driftwood that takes up 1/3rd of the tank bottom, as well as cholla logs. Is that enough?

Yes. This pleco, like many others, graze wood but some species use the bacterial properties to aid their digestive organs, while the Clown Pleco actually eats the wood. Other foods are eaten and needed too, such as...

In its habitat, this fish feeds on logs and branches, eating the wood itself along with aufwuchs [algae mats containing rotifers, small crustaceans, insect larvae, protozoans]. In the aquarium wood must be provided. This fish will eat some species of algae, prepared sinking foods that contain vegetable matter along with shrimp, fish meal, etc. Blanched vegetables such as zucchini, yams, squash, cucumber, spinach, romaine, banana. Live or frozen brine shrimp, bloodworms, blackworms.