Too many fish me thinks

[Ethos]

Could you please stop talking in caps locks.

 

[kash]

I thought the American members would like the names.

One question about the clown loaches and the plecos, how long before they start getting too big? weeks, months? the one I have hasnt gown much, but Iv only had it for a month or so.

 

[Sky042]

The only saving grace with the clown loaches is they're extremely slow growing. It could take as much as 20 years for them to reach full size....but seeing as they live 50-70 years it's actually only a small portion of their lifespan.

 

[Ethos]

I'm sure I would have let them go, even before they reached their full size!!!

 

[kash]

Well if it takes that long, I may get him a buddy and when they are too big, who knows I may have a bigger tank by then or I could give it to my friend.

 

[Ami]

Have used Loot for otherstuff but not fishtanks. Could also try Freeads eg
http/household.uk.freeads.net/search.php...orderdirection=

There are a couple of 4 footers there. Could also try ebay I guess or your local paper. Doesn't look like anyone is giving a tank away for free at the mo, but IME you quite often find people on Freeads who're giving stuff away to whoever will collect because they're moving home.

If you're buying a 2nd hand tank, remember to give it a good clean not with soap obviously but vinegar and dipped in one of those dishwashing pads you get from the supermarket will do the job. Then rinse it through. Plus, might want to stick it in your backgarden and fill it with water to check it doesn't leak before putting it in it's final place!

Don't worry too much about the overstocking - sounds like you asked the right questions but just got dodgy advice from your LFS. Plus your dad didn't help! I had the same thing happen to me once. I came home from work to discover my tank had two new residents - both common plecs! They'd even left me a note to say they were just visiting for a while...

Unfortunately (or fortunately...? ) one of them died whilst still a baby but the other grew to a foot long within the first year. I only recently rehomed him becuase I wanted to restock and he would have needed a tank to himself!

Listen carefully to the advice the guys give you here, they all know what they're talking about and if they reccommend getting rid of some fish, even if they're your favs, you should listen. Your LFS will likely take them back, especially when you point out their bad advice.

Good luck!

Ami

 

[ferrikins]

I proberly jumping to late. But your tank is acherly only a 16 uk G

I always you this site to calculate any tanl size Fish profiles

 

[Ami]

Ferrykins is right. Could also use the calculator on the PFK site.
http/www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/..._calculator.php

This is what it says for your tank:

Stocking density calculator Results
System type Tropical freshwater aquarium

Dimensions 53 x 46 x 30cm/21" x 18" x 12
Surface area 0.24 sq m/2.63 sq ft/378 sq in
Volume 74 l./16 gal.
Probable volume 67 l./15 gal. (after displacement)

We would recommend keeping up to 15"/37cm of fish in your system. However, depending on the type of fish, your filtration and your maintenance level you may be able to exceed this to a suggested maximum of 29"/75cm of fish. However, this, of course, requires care and thought for the type of fish being stocked. We would advise you to read our Frequently asked questions on stocking densities for more details on this subject.

Results
Stocking density 15"/37cm of fish (built up gradually)
Maximum density 29"/75cm of fish (probable theoretical maximum)

Sorry about the spacing etc but I just copy/pasted!

Ami

 

[kash]

Thanks for your further advice guys, sorry I havent replied quicker but iv been away.

 

[The-Wolf]

I didn't say adding more/bigger filtration would solve the problem
I said it gave you a bit more leeway.
Sorry if it seemed that filtration was the be all and end all.

 

[kash]

No probs

I like your signature

I gave away my albino shark and one of my red tailed sharks. I decided to keep my clown loach and when it gets too big Il give it away too. My barbs are still chasing each other. But now one of the tiger barbs has a really good colour on it and is chasing the other tiger barbs and green barb.