How many tiger-barbs for a dedicate 45 gallon tank

[Damon0306]

Was wondering how many tiger barbs from baby to adult size could live in a 45 gallon aqaurium.

The tank would be dedicated to the tiger-barbs ONLY. Have plenty of aeration with a bubble wand, and using an AquaClear 110 External Power Filter, which is suppose to be good for aquariums 60-110 gallons.

The filter is rated to filter 500gph, so I am hoping it could handle a decent sized school of baby tiger barbs.

 

[ajhainey]

2" each adult size (from my experience) - so say 20? With good keeping and once the tank is fully settled in its cycle quite probably more, up to you how close to the edge you want to live with the little fishies in your care - I'd say set it up at 20 (assuming pre cycled) and keep an eye on the readings to see how far you can go. Wouldn't be suprised to find that filter could handle at least double that number, but better to err on the side of caution - especially at the start.

Bear in mind tiger barbs grow quick so don't count on them 'being small for a while' and overstocking. From teeny tiny babies (1cm) mine got to about 3/4 adult size in about 8 weeks.

There fab fish though - I'm considering a dedicated barb set up too!

aj xx

 

[Grouchy]

Yeah, usually an 1" of fish per US gallon seems standard.

I'm about a month away from doing a dedicated tiger barb tank. It will be a 29 gallon long tank and be as close to their native south asian environment as I can get it. I'll probably keep one pleco in there as well.

It'll be sweet.

Good luck with your tank. I'll probably snap a picture of mine when complete.

 

[ccg]

Hey,

I have a dedicated barb tank myself. The tank is 35 us gallons. Although I have various kinds of barbs.

6 Cherry
6 Golden
4 Tiger (2 new ones today actually)

The tank is looking pretty nice. I am not done yet, so I will hopefully be adding a few more tiger barbs. I orginally was going to leave room for some loaches, but have decided to just go with some more tiger barbs.

In the end I would like to have another 2-4 tiger barbs.

Soemtime this summer I plan on turning a 45 gallon tank into a dedicated tiger barb tank. Just waiting on saving a little money before I do that one. Please let me know how you make out.

Thanks

 

[ghostcarp]

I want to setup a dedicated tiger barb tank, I also want to try and copy the natural environment, any advice on plants and substrate to use for natural south asian environment.
I want a long tank with lots of flow to try and recreate a stream effect.

 

[Grouchy]

Try HERE to start.

I also have a book called The Complete Aquarium which is a pretty awesome book including tanks for various environments.

Components:

• multicolored stones
• aquatic soil
• silver sand
• red gravel (to suggest iron rich environments of Malaysian stream)
• pebbles and small rocks
• bamboo plant (Blyxa japonica)
• giant hygrophila (nomaphila stricta)

Steps:

• cover the base of the tank with aquatic soil, then 2cm of silver sand
• add rocks in back, pebbles and red gravel
• add water over plastic to not disturb the sediment
• plant
• break in like any other tank

Good luck with your tank.

 

[Raechal]

I have a 55 gallon with 10 tiger barbs and 6 black skirt tetras which are about the same size of the barbs. The tank looks pretty full with just them in there.

I would go for maybe 10 tiger barbs max. They look good swimming in a group of 10. Then if you want something else, you wouldn't be overstocked with tiger barbs.

 

[ghostcarp]

Thanks Grouchy that's some good info to start with, I will look out for that book.
Raechal yeah I have 6 green tiger barbs in my community tank, I want a dedicated tank for them, well that's my excuse to get another tank anyway . I want at least 12 TB's, Not sure of tank size yet, defo long as I can get.

 

[Macracantha]

Try HERE to start.

I also have a book called The Complete Aquarium which is a pretty awesome book including tanks for various environments.

Components:

• multicolored stones
• aquatic soil
• silver sand
• red gravel (to suggest iron rich environments of Malaysian stream)
• pebbles and small rocks
• bamboo plant (Blyxa japonica)
• giant hygrophila (nomaphila stricta)

Steps:

• cover the base of the tank with aquatic soil, then 2cm of silver sand
• add rocks in back, pebbles and red gravel
• add water over plastic to not disturb the sediment
• plant
• break in like any other tank

Good luck with your tank.

Brilliant link....really useful....very pleased to have it....thanks!

 

[Lateral Line]

Pushing stocking levels by using gadgets is never a totally safe solution, gadgets can fail. With a fish as prone to going nose down with slight water quality problems, it would seem to me to be even less of a good idea.

The 1" per gallon "rule" is a guideline for maximum stocking levels, not something that HAS to be acheived.

 

[ghostcarp]

Hmm I'm not over stocking? "using gadgets" You've lost me

 

[LoachLover]

You could probably do 20 since it's 1 inch per gallon

 

[Lateral Line]

GhostCarp:

This was suggested earlier in the thread...

If you have a power filter with a bio-wheel you might be able to push above the 1" per gallon guide, they seem to be very good at maintaining a pollutant free enviroment.

...my post was to the thread, not a response to you.

 

[pendragon]

Also remember when you overstock that even if your biological filter can handle the bio-load, you're still accumulating nitrate at an accelerated rate. So saying your filter can keep up with the load only covers the ammonia/nitrite portion of the cycle. You've still got to do diligent water changes else nitrate poisoning occurs.

Plus, as Lateral Line said, filters can (and do) fail - electricity outtage or vacation, anyone? In the event of an equipment failure an overstocked tank is at great risk.

The moral of the story is: overstocking is something you should approach with far more caution and judiciousness than most people do.

pendragon!

 

[ghostcarp]

Cool Lateral Line sorry for confusing matters, I found this original post and decided to ask a similar question .
I'm all for under stocking tanks, I also like to get my tank fully established with plants to help with water quality before stocking.

nice one for al the advice everyone.