Stocking Question

[cupofjoel]

I wanted to get a school of glowlight tetras AND a school of turquoise rainbowfish. My only issue is that the tetras prefer KH between 4-8 and the rainbow prefer KH between 10-12. Does this mean they cannot be kept together since their water parameters are so different? Thoughts?

 

[Colin_T]

Melanotaenia lacustris (turquoise rainbowfish) should not be kept with Glowlight tetras due to the difference in water chemistry and the rainbowfish grow much bigger and could eat the glowlights,

Rainbowfish do best in water with a GH above 200ppm and a pH above 7.0.
Glowlight tetras do best in water with a GH below 150ppm and a pH below 7.0.

 

[Retired Viking]

I would go with the glow light tetras if your water softness supports them. I use RO water to bring down the hardness in my water. I have 13 glow lights and I like the way they group together.

 

[Byron]

I wanted to get a school of glowlight tetras AND a school of turquoise rainbowfish. My only issue is that the tetras prefer KH between 4-8 and the rainbow prefer KH between 10-12. Does this mean they cannot be kept together since their water parameters are so different? Thoughts?

I agree with Colin in post #2. Just wanted to point out that KH is not as important as GH (primarily), and then pH. But if the GH is what the fish need (and Colin gave those numbers) the pH wil likely follow suit.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Only keep fish that your water allows

 

[cupofjoel]

I would go with the glow light tetras if your water softness supports them. I use RO water to bring down the hardness in my water. I have 13 glow lights and I like the way they group together.

I'm not sure how hard or soft my water is from the tap. I'm from Washington State.

 

[JuiceBox52]

I'm not sure how hard or soft my water is from the tap. I'm from Washington State.

Same here. We have soft acidic water. Really soft.

 

[JuiceBox52]

I'm not sure how hard or soft my water is from the tap. I'm from Washington State.

So I would advise against the rainbows

 

[Retired Viking]

Looking at the hard water map, most of your state is soft to moderately hard up to 7 grams per gallon

 

[cupofjoel]

Same here. We have soft acidic water. Really soft.

I do have seriyu stones that bring it up a bit.

 

[JuiceBox52]

I do have seriyu stones that bring it up a bit.

You may have to buy a GH testing kit if you have something that alters it then