Subtropical/Temperate stocking ideas

[Salty&Onion]

That's already looking pretty good. Use slate or other inert stone and it won't affect your pH. The quick test is drop some vinegar on it. If it doesn't fizz its probably ok.

And if the rocks don't release bubbles, they're safe.

 

[AquaBarb]

Cool, thats a +1 for the Odessa's then!

I do like the idea of a shoal, swimming against the flow of the powerhead, and the redish colour of the barbs contrasting against the green of the plants

So really, 20 cory and 20 barbs in a 200 litre, as many as that that!?

Fine numbers wise. I have 28 barbs and 15 cories in my Roma 200.

Barbs are super quick at feeding so you have to make sure some food hits the substrate for the cories. Both fine at 25c

 

[mbsqw1d]

Fairly certain on getting the barbs then, cheers for helping make my mind up. Never had barbs before, what are like for eating plants?

 

[AquaBarb]

Fairly certain on getting the barbs then, cheers for helping make my mind up. Never had barbs before, what are like for eating plants?

Can now and then nibble on fine leaves plants but nothing to bad. Ive got a well planted tank with 3 kinds of barb and all is well on that front. Odessa's are very well behaved.

Id check you water hardness before going into RO. Most Barbs have a big range so it will save you alot of hassel if you can just use your source water.

 

[mbsqw1d]

Can now and then nibble on fine leaves plants but nothing to bad. Ive got a well planted tank with 3 kinds of barb and all is well on that front. Odessa's are very well behaved.

Id check you water hardness before going into RO. Most Barbs have a big range so it will save you alot of hassel if you can just use your source water.

Forgot you could check your local water online!
GH is 5.77 and PH is 7.7 so pretty good really. I think I just worry about chlorine more than anything

 

[Essjay]

Chlorine is easy - just use a dechlorinator (aka water conditioner). I use API Tap Water Conditioner which contains only thiosulphate to remove chlorine and EDTA to bind metals. It does not contain anything else. And at 1 drop per 3.8 litres, a bottle lasts a long time.

 

[AquaBarb]

Forgot you could check your local water online!
GH is 5.77 and PH is 7.7 so pretty good really. I think I just worry about chlorine more than anything

Most fishkeepers would kill for your GH I honestly wouldnt go to the trouble of RO if you dont need it.

Your Gh is fine for Odessa barbs

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Hi there. Good on you for doing your research. 20 odessas and 20 peppers in a planted tank would look wonderful. I also advise looking into gold barbs. You wouldn't want as many, as they get bigger, maybe 10 or 15. But they are very striking fish who also like lower temps. Or you could go crazy and get 40 or 50 white cloud minnows. But I think odessas or gold barbs would be a killer display.

 

[mbsqw1d]

Yeh I think researching is half the fun sometimes, plus theres no excuse not to these days. They are living organisms afterall and best to give them their best opportunity considering they're imprisoned away from their natural habitat!
I have considered cloud minnows, but I've been battling with the other half and kids who just want a big fat centre piece fish such as a gold fish...
I think a good sized shoal/school of barbs should convince them otherwise.
For some curious reason, I added 20 cherry shrimp today, never had then before and I love them. And I know theyre not going to last long if I had 20 barb. So yeh.. its probably going to be a last minute decision on cloud minnows or odessa barb. (I have seen gold barbs in the lfs, and i think the potential size of them put me off a bit). Plus, the pics ive seen of Odessa's look amazing (havent seen them in real life yet).
im waiting for my anacharis to grow out a bit more and form a bit of a canopy as its currently too bright for barbs

 

[AquaBarb]

Yeh I think researching is half the fun sometimes, plus theres no excuse not to these days. They are living organisms afterall and best to give them their best opportunity considering they're imprisoned away from their natural habitat!
I have considered cloud minnows, but I've been battling with the other half and kids who just want a big fat centre piece fish such as a gold fish...
I think a good sized shoal/school of barbs should convince them otherwise.
For some curious reason, I added 20 cherry shrimp today, never had then before and I love them. And I know theyre not going to last long if I had 20 barb. So yeh.. its probably going to be a last minute decision on cloud minnows or odessa barb. (I have seen gold barbs in the lfs, and i think the potential size of them put me off a bit). Plus, the pics ive seen of Odessa's look amazing (havent seen them in real life yet).
im waiting for my anacharis to grow out a bit more and form a bit of a canopy as its currently too bright for barbs

Id recommend getting some floating plants like frogbit or water sprite (anacharis can also grow floating if you didnt know) Most fish really welcome this.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

I don't think odessa barbs will bother cherry shrimp. I've never heard that they're bothered by bright light, either, though some of the shyer species like pentazonas really appreciate some overhead cover.

 

[mbsqw1d]

Id recommend getting some floating plants like frogbit or water sprite (anacharis can also grow floating if you didnt know) Most fish really welcome this.

Ive got a bit of duckweed thats tagged along with plants/fish/shrimp that ive added but nowhere near a good coverage, not sure how quick that stuff grows? Yeh I was aware elodea densa will work ok floating, wasnt sure how to tether it so it doesn't just circle around with the flow? Ive got a few stems that have reached the top and starting to lean over as theyve reached the surface. Depends how patient i can be i suppose. Ive got an amazon sword on order to fill up some space in the back. Love the red floating stuff you have in yours, what is that?

 

[mbsqw1d]

I don't think odessa barbs will bother cherry shrimp. I've never heard that they're bothered by bright light, either, though some of the shyer species like pentazonas really appreciate some overhead cover.

To be honest I'm not sure how anything could eat a cherry shrimp theyre lightning fast!
Its just something id read about the barb and lighting.. i do have my lights on a bit bright.. might get some frogbit and speed up the process, get some odessa in asap!

 

[AquaBarb]

Ive got a bit of duckweed thats tagged along with plants/fish/shrimp that ive added but nowhere near a good coverage, not sure how quick that stuff grows? Yeh I was aware elodea densa will work ok floating, wasnt sure how to tether it so it doesn't just circle around with the flow? Ive got a few stems that have reached the top and starting to lean over as theyve reached the surface. Depends how patient i can be i suppose. Ive got an amazon sword on order to fill up some space in the back. Love the red floating stuff you have in yours, what is that?

Duckweed grows really quick but the Odessa will smash it out the park lol they love it. Other floating plants will be fine.

You could use air tubing with suckers to hold floating plants in place but they generally do this by themselves once grown enough (which isnt long)

The red/orange floaters are silk maple leaves

 

[AquaBarb]

Another barb to look at if you like the Odessa is the black rubys. They look like tiger barbs but havent got their bad nature. Stunning black and red colouration and the males in breeding dress are jaw dropping likewise for the Odessa's