What next?

parker313

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Hello!

I have a 46 gallon tank that's been going for a while and has settled in nicely. I currently have 5 rosy barbs, 3 cories and a pleco.

I'm trying to decide if I want to add a completely different fish, or just more barbs or cories.....

I'd LOVE suggestions if you know of any that would complement the barbs and cories well :)

Thanks!
--Kristin
 
Hi Kristin,

Before we talk about adding any new fish, the big question that must be answered is: has the tank finished cycling?

If your answer is anything but "Yes", you've got some homework to do, but we'll help you through it. :thumbs:

pendragon!
 
Yes, all levels are checking out a-ok. Tested OK at the lfs, but also confirmed at home. :kana:
 
Pardon if I seem stubborn, Kristin, but that's not really as "complete" an answer as I was hoping for. The topic of establishing your tank's cycle is very important. If we are not absolutely sure, then we must be sure before we proceed with more fish.

Do you know the tank has been through the cycle, or are you just assuming it has because your water parameters are checking out okay? I have a 46-gallon bowfront too, and I cycled with fish, so I can tell you from firsthand experience that your bioload may be sufficiently small that it could take a couple or three weeks before you have sufficient ammonia buildup to be detected, much less start the cycle. I have my doubts that you are ready for new fish, but if I am wrong, I will be the first to say so.

Can you list your water parameters from the LFS here?

Also, if you are making the commitment to keep fish, you really really need to invest in a comprehensive water test kit. Although it's great that the LFS will do complimentary tests for you in the beginning, you should not learn to rely on them. I promise it's an investment you'll thank yourself for down the road. You need a kit that tests pH and for the presence of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, at a bare minimum. Unfortunately, most comprehensive test kits do not include a nitrate test for some strange reason, so you might have to pick that particular one up separately.

Before you proceed with more fish, it is important that we know what state your tank is in cycle-wise. If you post your water parameters, we can tell you. It is very important to understand your water parameter readings, and what they say about what's happening in your aquarium.

pendragon!

Edit: Oops, first time through I didn't notice the part where you said you confirmed readings at home. You obviously have at least some testing material already.
 
Busted... :*)

I didn't include all the parameters b/c my husband did the testing - he took the water to the store and did the testing at home as well. He's out of town on business (Army - deployed right now) so I have no idea what the actual readings were, he just told me everything was ok.

I've had the tank for over 8wks, but since I didn't do the tests myself, I'm more than happy to redo them so I can give a full listing here :)

You're completely on-target, I'd *hate* to subject my fish to improper water!!!

I'll do the tests and will report back with pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

Thanks again,
Kristin
 
Well we all know now that Kristin "plays well with others". Your a breath of fresh air and I will enjoy reading more about your tank. :D

ALASKA
 
jams.alaskan said:
Well we all know now that Kristin "plays well with others". Your a breath of fresh air and I will enjoy reading more about your tank. :D

ALASKA
:lol: :lol: :lol:
...and here I didn't even know I was being tested. I've been around message boards enough to know that I don't want to be the "rude newbie" if I want any chance of getting help.

Just finished dinner and am getting ready to run the tests now.
 
Ammonia - Between 0ppm and .25ppm, much closer to 0
Nitrite - 0ppm
Total Hardness - 120ppm
Total Alkalinity/Buffering Capacity - 180ppm
pH - 6.8
Nitrate - 40ppm

Not too shabby. :thumbs:
 
Welcome to the forum! Looks pretty good so far...

You might do a couple of water changes in the next week to get the nitrates down. If you can keep it around 20ppm long-term, you should be fine for most fish.

As far as the fish go, since that was your original question...

What kind of pleco is it? Plecs vary greatly in adult size. Just making sure your tank will be adequate in the longrun.

I would first add 3 more cories. It's not much more biomass and the corys are a lot of fun if you keep them in schools.

After that... well, what do you like?

HTH! :thumbs:
 
It is a common pleco. I know how big they can get and am not at all opposed to expanding. He's only about 2" now.

I just did a water change yesterday, so thanks for the advice on continuing a few more of those. I love the cories, they are a lot of fun to watch. Right now, I have a striped, a spotted and an albino. I like the spotted best.

Like?
I like the dwarf gouramis, but am concerned that the barbs could be a bit fiesty with it and start nipping.

I like Cichlids - I had a great convict assorted other ones in a previous tank, but was concerned about compatibility...

With 6 cories, I'll have enough bottom layer fish, so was thinking something more middle/top layer.

The barbs are a beautiful red/orange which is why I was thinking of a blue or neon dwarf gourami - nice color contrast.
 
Kristin:

Looking at your water parameters, and considering that the tank has been setup for several weeks, it looks like it's cycled. :thumbs: Good job!

Just remember to add new fish only a few at the time, and after each addition give the tank a couple of weeks to re-equilibrate before adding the next batch.

Regarding your stocking choices:

I don't have any personal experience with rosy barbs, but I don't think they're notorious nippers (although there are always exceptions to the rule). I don't think you'd have any problems with most rosy barb/gourami combinations as far as nipping goes. Gouramis generally will not allow barbs to antagonize them (but again, always exceptions to the rule).

Cichlids are not my forte', either. As you said, there are potential compatibility issues there, so just be sure to do your homework beforehand. There are some very knowledgeable cichlid folks here on this forum.

I agree emphatically with modernhamlet, though. First order of business should be three more corys. In a group of six they'll be much happier and you'll see more of their antics.

pendragon!
 
Thank you :)

I would love 3 more cories, that sounds like a great way to go. After I get them in and established, I will look at the gouramis and see what the lfs has.

I could go to PetSmart b/c they have a much wider selection, but I really LOVE my lfs and like to support the independent guys.

I've never added more than 3 fish at once and I make sure those are small fish. I also always wait *at least* 2 wks between adding new fish.

The rosy barbs are fiesty, but not aggressive (at least not mine). I got some exodon paradoxus at the recommendation of my lfs and they terrorized my poor barbs. They got returned and that's when I got the new barbs and cory that I mentioned on my other post. The barbs nip at me when I'm cleaning the tank, but leave the pleco and cories alone.

Thanks again!
 
I just bought the Tetramin kit and I found it easy to read and it matche the LFS readings of my water. You should try doing it yourself.

I am loving the panda cories and hope to add some to my setup when its finished cycling.



PS>Kristin plays VERY well with others!!

Hey, pssst...TCOYF....LOL!
 
BettaBabe said:
PS>Kristin plays VERY well with others!!

Hey, pssst...TCOYF....LOL!
Hey you! I saw your username and thought it might be you, but wasn't sure. I remembered your question about your betta doing funny stuff :p

I got a good test kit last night and found it very easy to read. I have a spotted cory (puntata or something like that) an albino and one that I've not seen anywhere online - it's got 2 stripes, from nose, up over the head and down to the tail. It's really cool.

The cories crack me up 8)
 
You can never have to many cories. :wub:

Very "social" fish, people sometimes seem to forget they are actually schooling fish who likes to be kept in groups.

And you seem to be taking this more serious than many beginners so I'm sure it will turn out great. :thumbs:
 

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