When to add new fish?

[Ecb]

A few months ago, I posted seeking help for a new tank where I had a complete die-off. The advice was super helpful and I completed the recommended fishless cycle before starting with 2 Mollies to see how things were going. Well, we are 4 weeks in and they are doing great! I do have a small amount of the rust/brown colored algae which has killed off one of my plants recently. The guy at my semi-local fish store said to give it some time with the newbies before stocking the tank more, because he was worried about new-tank syndrome. He set me up with some live plants and a bag of dirty water from his system to get things jump started. Water parameters have all been testing good ever since the fishless cycle, including normal tests today. Do you think I am in the clear to bring in some new friends for these guys now? How about a Pleco to help with the algae growth? This video shows the tank and it’s due for a water change tomorrow. After water changes, it looks pretty clear for 5-7 days before the algae builds back up. I also shortened the light intervals which helped slow the growth some. I appreciate your advice on where to go next!

 

[Naughts]

Water parameters have all been testing good ever since the fishless cycle, including normal tests today. Do you think I am in the clear

If you let us know test results in numbers for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate we can answer.

How about a Pleco to help with the algae growth?

Mollies are very hard water fish, Pleco are soft water fish so it will help if you find out the GH (hardness) of the water and post it here with the units it is measured in. You might find this info on your water suppliers webpage.

What species of pleco are you thinking of? Common pleco get very large and are unsuitable for the vast majority of aquariums. Also it is best to address the cause of the algae, especially as fish won’t touch most types of problem algae.

Your tank looks really nice. Do you know the name of the plants? I wonder if they are aquatic?

 

[Ecb]

Ammonia and nitrite were 0, nitrate is 40ppm, Hardness is 75ppm. Tank is 36gal

There is only 1 live plant currently, the small on in the front middle and I’m not sure what it’s called. The rest are artificial. I’m planning to get a few more live plants when I go back for new fish also.

I didn’t have a certain type of pleco in mind, I was going to see what they have at the fish store and go from there. Is there a different bottom feeder that would be better?

 

[Naughts]

Yes, your tank sounds cycled so you can add more fish, just monitor the ammonia and nitrite for a week or two after adding them.

The plant might be cryptocorne but others here will be able to identify it.

75ppm (or 4.2 dGH) is soft water so a smaller species of pleco would be suitable. A lot of people keep a bristlenose pleco (ancistrus sp.).

The mollies need 200ppm+ so will not do well in this water unfortunately.

Check out seriouslyfish.com for fish requirements.

 

[EmmaS]

Is your location Kent?