Stocking Advice

[Aiden123]

My new canister filter should arrive tomorrow and I was curious to how much this would improve my tank's filtration capacity.
According to aquadvisor (i know this is only a rough guide and not perfect) my filtration capacity would be as follows:

filtration capacity: 700%
weekly water change: 21%
stocking level: 69%

Due to these readings I am wondering if it was possible to add anything else? preferably something that takes up the lower regions of the tank.

Tank info:
24" x 12" x 13". 16.2g US
filtration = 1000lph canister and a sponge filter rated for a 20g tank
inhabitants = a pair of german blue rams, 9 harlequin rasbora and 1 threadfin rainbowfish (trying to rehome), cherry shrimp and MTS
substrate is small granular baked clay

Tank parameters:
ph: 6.4
tds: 160
gh: 6-7
kh: 0-1
temp: 26c

P.S. If I were able to add, I will obviously wait to ensure the new canister is fully matured first.

Thanks in advance

[aquariumlover10]

Get some cories or ottos or both

[Aiden123]

Thanks for your suggestion.

I understand both cories and otos do best in groups. Would I have enough space for a decent group?

Regarding the cories, can u suggest some type as some do get to a decent size so I am assuming I would only be able to have one of the small varities.

I do doubt though that I would have sufficient room for a group of otos and cories.

[aquariumlover10]

How many gallons is your filter rated for? You could probaly get about 5 pepper cories or bronze corys both look cool I think.

[aquariumlover10]

Oh the ottos you should just get 3 I think they do more good for your tank even if your alittle over stocked with them.

[Aiden123]

The new canister is rated rated 105g

[steeler58]

Either get more Harley's or a school of 8 Rummy nose.

[talldutchie]

Baked clay granules aren't the best for cories or anything else that feeds by rummaging trough the substrate. Additionally, if those rams get into breeding mode they will claim a substantial part of the tank's lower regions. Of course with a lot of flow it might put them off breeding.

The water is lovely soft and acidic. Depending on the exact decor a group of ottos is one option. A pair of a smaller bristlenose species is another as would be a peckoltia "pleco"

[mommy1]

As long as you have that pair of rams in the tank I wouldn't add any bottom dwellers, as Talldutchie stated, they get very territorial. Once you get rid of that threadfin rainbow I would add 2 rasbora to the existing group and a nice sized school of small fish, maybe 10-12 chili rasbora or celestial pearl danio.

[Aiden123]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

I'll avoid any bottom dwelling fish since it may cause territorial issues.

I would love to add another shoal of small fish such as the chili rasboras mommy1 suggested. From the very quick bit of research I just did on them, they appear to be well suited for the tank parameters and decor. Would there be enough room for it though? This tank is small and I don't want it to get overcrowded.

[SueD]

Chilis are so small you won't even notice them - I mean that in a good way as far as stocking levels.

[Aiden123]

That's good to know, thank you.

[talldutchie]

Chilis are so small you won't even notice them - I mean that in a good way as far as stocking levels.

OTOH, they are awfully close to snack sized for a ram.