I think I'm about at capacity, what do you think?

[kenyth]

I'm trying to do better than the old 1 inch of fish per gallon rule. I have a 29 gallon tank and the population is as follows

4 Platies
2 smaller Cory varieties
5 neons
4 asst. Danios
1 snail

Anachris and Hornwort planted.

I'm thinking I might need one or two more female Platies. Two of them are males and the bigger male chases the smaller one a lot. I only requested one male originally but, whoops! I don't want to crowd the tank.

What do you think, is one more too many?

[Incredulous_Ed]

I say you can add 2 more platys, but be prepared to have alot of babies!
How often do you change the water?

[kenyth]

As often as needed. At least once a week, often twice. It gets the visual and sniff test daily. If it doesn't smell like good clean dirt, smells "sharp" or bubbles stay at the surface too long, I fill the big bucket with fresh cold well water, let it set overnight, treat it, add salt, and add the "Cycle" product. I vac the gravel/change water the next day. So far, so good.

I'd invest in chemical test sets, but I've never seen a problem that I couldn't detect as well with my nose, or head off by keeping the water clean.

I'd also like to add that I use a power filter and a UG filter with a pump rated for over twice the tank.

[Sasquatch]

Be careful getting more platies. You can fit 2 more of them in your tank, but when they start producing fry, you can end up getting overcrowded.

I'd also suggest getting test kits. Water changes once or twice a week will head off a lot of problems, but some things can't be detected with your nose. My platy tank has had a pretty big rise in nitrates lately and nothing has changed as far as smell or apperance in the aquarium.

[Chrona]

Cories and neons are sensitive to salt I believe. How much are you adding? It's not unnecessary or even beneficial to add salt unless you have a parasitic infestation like ick. The osmoregulation of a fish works just fine if they are healthy, and only in times of disease do they need that extra boost. Some even say it may eventually be harmful as various parasites build an immunity to it.

[Lady Hobbs]

I also agree you can add more to your tank. You could put a few tetras, a bunch of neons or some rasbora's in there.

[gm72]

Just another opinion that you could add more. Sounds like your filtration is up to the task to slightly overstock on the 1" rule. I love neons and glowlights, maybe just add some more of them. Love the color and behavior.

[Lady Hobbs]

New 55 gallon: cycling with a pleco and 6 each zebra dannios and giant dannios.

You should get your pleco out of there until that tank has cycled. Not only does he have nothing to eat in a new tank, the ammonia levels will kill him. Bottom dwellers especially can't take the high levels.

[Severus]

You should be fine with a few more tetras or possibly two platies to finish off your tank

[gm72]

Hobbs, thank you for the info. We are dropping algae pellets in for him which he voraciously eats, but I was not aware that he would have trouble with the cycle. Thanks again!

[kenyth]

Cories and neons are sensitive to salt I believe. How much are you adding? It's not unnecessary or even beneficial to add salt unless you have a parasitic infestation like ick. The osmoregulation of a fish works just fine if they are healthy, and only in times of disease do they need that extra boost. Some even say it may eventually be harmful as various parasites build an immunity to it.

I add 1 scoop per five gallons per instructions. I believe the scoop is about a half tablespoon. Should I quit adding do you think? Does this amount have an adverse effect on snails also?

[Sasquatch]

If it's half a tablespoon in 5 gallons, it's not that much salt, but check your "scoop". Your fish shouldn't be harmed by the salt, but it won't really do much to help them either.

Unless you have health problems, there is really no need for the salt with the fish you have. The platies will be fine with no salt (ours are:thumb: ), but if you decided to add more sensitive species or plants, the salt could be a problem.