Inches From Being Finished And Now I Have A Cloudy Tank

[waterdrop]

I'd be hard pressed to decide whether a cherry barb or a harlequin rasbora would be the bigger bioload if you compared the two. They almost seem like they might be close to identical in body mass but maybe there's someone who's had both at the same time and could comment futher (so you could possibly go for whichever would end up being less overall biomass with 6 fish.)

They are very different fish from each other. The rasboras of course behave just like a shoaling tetra, they hang together and appreciate each addition to their group. When the shoal feels threatened they will move into a tighter school. Barbs, including cherries I think (I've had Rosy barbs and I think some others, but not Cherry barbs) will hang together to an extent but in a very different fashion than harlequins and not as much. I think the cherries will swim about with a more medium feel, whereas harlequins, in the manner of tetras, will shoal slowly but then dart with amazing speed.

The colors are differnt of course. Cherry barbs can look like a deep red little spot in the plants when you look at your tank from across the room. Harlequins are quite noted for their unique coloration. Its a combination of pink and orange that changes with the angle of the scales and makes one think of sunsets. Harlequin's color can vary, getting very deep and colorful if they are mature enough and if they are happy and healthy (probably true of cherry barbs too, although a deeper ruby color as opposed to the sunset colors of harlequins.)

~~waterdrop~~

 

[abih2005]

What an amazing response really appreciate it!

I'd be hard pressed to decide whether a cherry barb or a harlequin rasbora would be the bigger bioload if you compared the two. They almost seem like they might be close to identical in body mass but maybe there's someone who's had both at the same time and could comment futher (so you could possibly go for whichever would end up being less overall biomass with 6 fish.)

They are very different fish from each other. The rasboras of course behave just like a shoaling tetra, they hang together and appreciate each addition to their group. When the shoal feels threatened they will move into a tighter school. Barbs, including cherries I think (I've had Rosy barbs and I think some others, but not Cherry barbs) will hang together to an extent but in a very different fashion than harlequins and not as much. I think the cherries will swim about with a more medium feel, whereas harlequins, in the manner of tetras, will shoal slowly but then dart with amazing speed.

The colors are differnt of course. Cherry barbs can look like a deep red little spot in the plants when you look at your tank from across the room. Harlequins are quite noted for their unique coloration. Its a combination of pink and orange that changes with the angle of the scales and makes one think of sunsets. Harlequin's color can vary, getting very deep and colorful if they are mature enough and if they are happy and healthy (probably true of cherry barbs too, although a deeper ruby color as opposed to the sunset colors of harlequins.)

~~waterdrop~~

 

[abih2005]

This morning:
Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - 0.50.

Mehhhhh. Hopefully tomorrow.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Abi, I'd say go for the Harlequins but for different reasons:

Your tank is not much smaller than mine and a theory I've developed is that fish that may not be agressive/sickly in bigger thanks tell a different story in smaller ones. I honestly beleive that my Platys wouldn't fight if they were in a bigger thank and that my male Honey wouldn't have harassed my female if he couldn't see her so often. I really think this is a huge contribution to why some people will say "Oh all male Platys are fine etc" and some people will say "don't do it". It largely comes down to tank size, I'm sure of it!

So basically my point is, though Cherry Barbs are the best tempered of Barbs - they are still Barbs. Whereas Harlequins are very hardy and I've so far never heard of anyone having agression problems with them, whatever their tank size.

Plus, Harlequins rock!

 

[Harlequins]

I would go for my names sake,they're fab fish and pretty active,i've had my harlequins for around 18 months now

You nitrite are going the right way slowly but surely

I wouldn't worry too much about your nitrates at this stage,this will go at the end of your fishless cycle when you do your 90% waterchange before adding any fish

 

[abih2005]

This morning:
Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - between 1-0.5.

Pah. Boyf commented last night that I might have a wee bit too much stuff in terms of rocks etc, so I took out about a bowl full and it's had a massive impact on vertical space, ergo more water went in!

 

[abih2005]

Nitrites................................ 0.25ppm!
Oh, the ammonia is 0 as usual.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Getting better then. I'm currently doing my second cycle, on our 21L in the kitchen and I'd forgotten what fun it isn't. Mind you I'm takin ga very laid back approach so far.

 

[abih2005]

Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - the colour is a very, very washed out 0.25, the palest it's been in ages....

 

[waterdrop]

sounds good abi! WD

 

[abih2005]

sounds good abi! WD

Yep indeed, so I've got the boyf fixing my tank light all ready for the fishes arrival, I'm hoping sometime this week!

 

[Twinklecaz]

Fingers crossed Abi. What fish have you decided on first?

 

[abih2005]

DOUBLE NEGATIVE DOUBLE NEGATIVE DOUBLE NEGATIVE DOUBLE NEGATIVE DOUBLE NEGATIVEEEE!!



So.... today I'm going to change 90% of the water then re-dose tonight and hopefully tomorrow I'll still be clear to add some fishhhhh!

 

[Harlequins]

I personally wouldn't add fish until you have done your qualifying week...

Leave the w/c,redose tonight and for the next 7 days,if you get double zeros in this time with no w/c's then you are safe to add fish next sunday after doing the large w/c.

Congrats on reaching your zero's at last.

 

[abih2005]

A wholllle week? Bah. I suppose so....