Help With New Tank

[jimmy_veal]

I would say your tank is too small for a Red-tailed shark. I have a 180litre/40gal tank and recently had to re-home my RTS as it was terrorizing all my other fish. Especially chasing the tiger barbs I had in there. Seriously consider your choice of fish, else you will end up with stressed out fish.

 

[fluttermoth]

Agreed, that tank is definitely too small for an RTBS.

 

[dch2206]

ok, will re think RTS. Will keep water changes going 50% plus. Is there a good substitute for a RTS that any one can suggest that will fit my tank nicely. Looking to get
x6 Tiger Barbs (In total)
x2 Opaline Gouramis
x1 Bristlenosed Pleco
and other suggestions.

Thanks guys.

 

[jimmy_veal]

You could consider maybe getting some Kuhli loaches or Corydoras? They both will do well in groups of 6+.
This will give the bottom of your tank some life as both species prefer it there.
Just a thought...

 

[dch2206]

You could consider maybe getting some Kuhli loaches or Corydoras? They both will do well in groups of 6+.
This will give the bottom of your tank some life as both species prefer it there.
Just a thought...

Lol, just this second been talking to my mate about them(Kuhli loaches), hes thinking of getting some.

 

[dch2206]

Ive just purchased some Seachem Prime, is this good conditioner?. seems to have good reviews.

 

[dch2206]

My tank now seems to be cycled, many thanks for all your help guys, what a great source of info. readings last night where ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 40ppm. I will monitor this for a week before putting more fish in but still have a few questions.
1. I have x4 Tiger Barbs and Im looking at increasing this to six, should I put the x2 Tigers in before looking at putting the x2 Opaline Gourami?
2. Do I do a water change before adding new fish?
3. Im looking at getting a Bristlenosed Pleco and maybe some cory, do you recommend getting some different food for them ie bottom feed as my barbs do seem to devour everything.

Many thanks again guys for all your help.

 

[The Taffy Apple]

Hi DCH... for doing the required water changes during your fish-in cycle! Your water results are what they should be...but, as you have already stated, the next week and it's results will be of most important. The future stocking you have mentioned would, i personally believe, create a fair contribution to your current bio-load, so i would be that bit more cautious and monitor my results for a couple more weeks before i added anymore fish.
I mean, if you are happy in yourself that you believe your filter would be able to cope, then i hope your next inhabitants do really well, pictures of 6 or more Tiger Barbs always look very impressive i believe.

Keep us updated though.

Terry.

#EDIT# My Albino Corys devour 'JBL Novo Tabs', buried half an inch into my sand..

 

[OldMan47]

Hi there dch2206. I think that Prime is about as good as any other dechlorinator and is the one I use because it is cheaper to use than most of the others.
You have 40 ppm of nitrate, so a water change would probably be a good idea. You want to try to keep it no more than 20 ppm above the value in your tap water.

 

[dch2206]

Thanks will check Nitrate levels again tonight + water change. Since using prime my barbs have become really active might be coincidence with cycle completing though , what a great fish.

 

[dch2206]

Hi guys, water test are really good, Ive added x2 Tiger barbs (x6 total) and a Bristlenosed pleco all seem to be settling in nicely. Just a quick question as you may of noticed I have sand as a substrate and have recently noticed a build up of algae on the surface in the centre of the tank, in front of statue with air stone. Whats the easiest way of getting rid of it/cleaning sand?. Why does it only seem to form on the statue and on the sand in front of it?.
Im still monitoring the water and doing regular changes so I know the water is ok.