How Many Rainbows in a 55 Gallon?

[Ritchie]

How many Rainbows could I put in a 55 gallon tank?

My Tentative list is:

Australian
Boesemani
Madagascar
Western
Threadfin
Parkinson's

Now these are just Rainbows that I like. It doesn't mean that I want to put all of those in my tank :22:

[Taurus]

Rich, do you know about AqAdvisor? It's a good place to start when looking a different stocking options:

http://aqadvisor.com/

It's a bit tricky for you 55 just because of the sponge filters, but it'll still give you a rough idea.
(http://aqadvisor.com/)

[Boundava]

I don't know why they don't have sponge filters listed...they really should and then have an additional option of air pump or powerhead.

[Taurus]

They list Lustar Hydro Sponge filters, it's close enough for this type of estimation? That's all AqAdvisor gives you anyway, it's just an estimate.

[Ritchie]

They list Lustar Hydro Sponge filters, it's close enough for this type of estimation?

I'll check it out. Thanks!

[Laura_in_FL]

Like Taurus suggested, AqAdvisor is a good tool to help you plan things out.

The important thing to remember is that each species wants to be in a group of its own kind, usually at least 6 per species is recommended. Also, the different sizes have to be taken into account. Most of these are roughly 4" fish, but the Threadfins are under 2". So a group of Threadfins would have a much smaller bioload than the other species.

But, kind of a rough estimate for a 55g is that you could have groups of 2 or at most 3 species of the 4" fish (assuming six of each species). You might also be able to sneak in a group of six Threadfins as well. But that assumes no other tank inhabitants (bottom-dwellers, algae eaters, etc.) contributing to the bioload.

One other comment - the Australians and Madagascars like cooler water, but the Parkinson's like very warm water - their preferred temperature ranges don't overlap.

EDIT: You can use AqAdvisor without specifying your filtration. If you do, it still tells you what percentage "load" it estimates, and what % weekly water change it recommends. It will also point out incompatibilities (like temperature).

[Ritchie]

Since I have one HOB rated for 75 Gallons and two sponges totaling 120 gallons, I used an aquaclear 110 as my second filter. It's close enough I guess. Anyway, for the heck of it, I maxed out my stock list with:

6 western rainbows
6 madagascar rainbows
6 boesemani rainbows
6 threadfin rainbows
6 australian rainbows

And I was informed that I have plenty of filtration.

[Laura_in_FL]

You can put that many fish in, but even with great filtration it's a lot of bioload. You'll have to be very diligent with water changes when they reach mature size.

[Boundava]

When you say maxed; did it say you are at 100%?

My current load is at 146%, I think Matt is at 200%, lol (jk-ing)

Like Laura-FL said its a nice guide but I follow it very loosely (obviously :doh:).


I would up the threadfins to 12 or 15, they do some nice sparring when there are a lot of them, and since the other fish are so much bigger than them-they will feel more secure in bigger #'s.

[Ritchie]

You can put that many fish in, but even with great filtration it's a lot of bioload. You'll have to be very diligent with water changes when they reach mature size.

I'm not going to put in that many rainbows. I'll probably reduce that number to 3 groups of 6, some threadfins, a school of cories,

[Ritchie]

When you say maxed; did it say you are at 100%?

My current load is at 146%, I think Matt is at 200%, lol (jk-ing)

Like Laura-FL said its a nice guide but I follow it very loosely (obviously :doh:).


I would up the threadfins to 12 or 15, they do some nice sparring when there are a lot of them, and since the other fish are so much bigger than them-they will feel more secure in bigger #'s.

When I said maxed I meant I used all of the rainbows that interested me. I know I'll have to cut that number down

[Ritchie]

not sure how I managed two different images...LOL

[Laura_in_FL]

That will be a really pretty tank - I like the double Threadfins idea a lot.

[Ritchie]

That will be a really pretty tank - I like the double Threadfins idea a lot.

so do I thumbs2:

I'm going to pick out a different cory though...something that'll look good with my two-color substrate

[Slaphppy7]

I broke AqAdavisor.

[Ritchie]

I broke AqAdavisor.

LMAO...how'd you break it? DOS attack??

[Boundava]

I am soooooo embarrassed. I broke it today! (Its it so mad at me-LOTS of red everywhere!) :hmm3grin2orange:
50965


:14: I am guessing with some of the #'s like the rainbows may be off by a couple as well as the kuhli's

[Slaphppy7]

^^ That's how I broke it.

[Ritchie]

I am soooooo embarrassed. I broke it today! (Its it so mad at me-LOTS of red everywhere!) :hmm3grin2orange:
50965


:14: I am guessing with some of the #'s like the rainbows may be off by a couple as well as the kuhli's

Whoah...that's a crazy stocking list!

[Boundava]

Well in a couple month they will be split up into mainly 2 tanks:

50966

50967

The 2 bristle nose plecos are getting their own tanks, the Dojos are going into the 125 gallon with 5 ranchu goldfish

[Ritchie]

Well in a couple month they will be split up into mainly 2 tanks:

50966

50967

The 2 bristle nose plecos are getting their own tanks, the Dojos are going into the 125 gallon with 5 ranchu goldfish

How big do Dojos get?

[Boundava]

Depends on if it's a male or a female but they can get up to 11 inches. My biggest male right now it's about 6 inches and when I had a female she was closer to 8. I would imagine them being in warmer than their preferred Waters kind of limits them period that's why I want to get them into a cold water tank with my future goldfish. Sorry I didn't answer earlier powers out at work and I'm talking off my phone right now before I leave work. So if this doesn't come out a hundred percent coherent it's because of the microphone.

[Ritchie]

Depends on if it's a male or a female but they can get up to 11 inches. My biggest male right now it's about 6 inches and when I had a female she was closer to 8. I would imagine them being in warmer than their preferred Waters kind of limits them period that's why I want to get them into a cold water tank with my future goldfish. Sorry I didn't answer earlier powers out at work and I'm talking off my phone right now before I leave work. So if this doesn't come out a hundred percent coherent it's because of the microphone.

11 inches? Well that rules out that one for my tank

Dwarf chain loaches look cool :thumb:

[steeler58]

Nice fish the dwarf chain loach, a little expensive but well worth it ;-)

[Ritchie]

Nice fish the dwarf chain loach, a little expensive but well worth it ;-)

The semi-local fish store has them for $12.00 each

[Boundava]

You will need at least 6-8 of them, they are social creatures. :goldfish::fish::goldfish::fish:

[Ritchie]

You will need at least 6-8 of them, they are social creatures. :goldfish::fish::goldfish::fish:

I could do them and skip the cories

[Boundava]

You could-they are active too. Sometimes corrys get shy even with 6-8 of them.

[Ritchie]

You could-they are active too. Sometimes corrys get shy even with 6-8 of them.

I'll see what happens when I go shopping

[Taurus]

I'll see what happens when I go shopping

Yeah, if you're like me you won't make up your mind until then anyway.

[Boundava]

Yeah, or get all of the above...:14:

[Ritchie]

Yeah, or get all of the above...:14:

LOL...I like that answer!

[RiversGirl]

Dwarf chain loaches look cool :thumb:

OOOooooo I hope you do go with these!


The semi-local fish store has them for $12.00 each

Not a bad price, from the few times I've seen them for sale.

[Ritchie]

Yeah, if you're like me you won't make up your mind until then anyway.

Most of the time I am so indecisive when shopping for anything....UGH

[Taurus]

lol....Deer in the head lights look :help:

[Boundava]

I never have that problem with fish---seem to want them all.

[Ritchie]

lol....Deer in the head lights look :help:

DING DING DING DING DING.....we have a winner! LOL

[Ritchie]

OOOooooo I hope you do go with these!



Not a bad price, from the few times I've seen them for sale.

Yes...they are really neat, especially the ones they have separate in a planted show tank.

[RiversGirl]

The semi-local fish store has them for $12.00 each

I've seen them for sale for $22 each -- I think that was the highest price.


I could do them and skip the cories

When I was considering keeping both these and my Sterbai, someone commented that they thought the very active Dwarf Chain Loaches might make the Cory nervous.
It might have been WhistlingBadger as he keeps these. An old member (miss ya Rob!) told me that if I got them, I'd have to name the group "Sid, the monkeys" so I'm passing that along too -- just in case you end up getting these cuties.

[RiversGirl]

I never have that problem with fish---seem to want them all.

In your new house, you will get a good start on that want! So many tanks to stock -- the stuff dreams are made of!!

[Ritchie]

I've seen them for sale for $22 each -- I think that was the highest price.



When I was considering keeping both these and my Sterbai, someone commented that they thought the very active Dwarf Chain Loaches might make the Cory nervous.
It might have been WhistlingBadger as he keeps these. An old member (miss ya Rob!) told me that if I got them, I'd have to name the group "Sid, the monkeys" so I'm passing that along too -- just in case you end up getting these cuties.

LOL...Sid, the Monkeys??? I love that!

[RiversGirl]

In case anyone might be wondering:
Scientific name: Ambastaia sidthimunki

sidthimunki (courtesy of Rob's brilliant humor)

[Ritchie]

In case anyone might be wondering:
Scientific name: Ambastaia sidthimunki

sidthimunki (courtesy of Rob's brilliant humor)


And I thought that was just a joke. Coolness. The more I look at the dwarf chains, the more I love them. I'm picturing them in my tank and they would really look awesome with the bi-colored substrate

[steeler58]

I'm watching to see if TWS gets any more on before I place an order with them but they have not put up there updated stock page yet :(

[Slaphppy7]

I noticed that too...still not even 5 PM in Cali, though...or Oregon

[Ritchie]

I've had a slight change in tank plans. I'm still doing Rainbows and chain loaches but I have to wait a few weeks(4 at the most) till I get some bills taken care of. In the meantime, I grabbed some platies and mollies from my community tank and added them to the 55....to keep the cycle going

[Slaphppy7]

No rush, better to wait until you are ready...gives you something to look forward to

Male platies and mollies I hope, otherwise the tank may be fully stocked in 4 weeks whether you're ready or not :hmm3grin2orange:

[Ritchie]

No rush, better to wait until you are ready...gives you something to look forward to

Male platies and mollies I hope, otherwise the tank may be fully stocked in 4 weeks whether you're ready or not :hmm3grin2orange:

HAHAHAHA....I have no idea. I just netted what I could

[Slaphppy7]

You may be doing alot more netting than you anticipate once you're ready to move them back, lol

[Boundava]

Or you can open up your home as a LFS for mollies and platies soon.

[Ritchie]

Or you can open up your home as a LFS for mollies and platies soon.

LOL...I could handle that......maybe