Stocking and schools

[Needi]

I would like to set up a 20g tank with a couple of various schools. I observed a school of about 15 panda corys and it was awesome. However this was in a LFS tank and im pretty certain that pulling such a stunt with one species is bad enough. So my question is if i wanted a school of card tetras and panda corys...how large of schools could i place in the 20g. I know about the 1 inch per gallon...but its pretty bunk.

[discthrower]

I know that 1 inch per gallon is a pretty good rule of thumb, but I've also found out that ina well established aquarium, you can have up to 3-4 inches per gallon...regular water changes, excellent filtration, water quality...yada yada. For a smaller tank like a 20 gallon you may be ok doing that.

[rich311k]

I would say 10-12 neons and 6 corys.

[jackson17]

I know that 1 inch per gallon is a pretty good rule of thumb, but I've also found out that ina well established aquarium, you can have up to 3-4 inches per gallon...regular water changes, excellent filtration, water quality...yada yada. For a smaller tank like a 20 gallon you may be ok doing that.

Woah woah woah, that is never a good rule of thumb from what I've heard. Different fish need different types of tanks. You can't have a 8-12 inch ray in a 55 gallon tank.

In a 20 gallon I agree with rich311k, somewhere around there. What type of filter do you have?

[DrNic]

I would say 10-12 neons and 6 corys.
I agree with Rich, 10-12 neons is good, 6 cories (if you want them to school)

If you wanted a tighter school you could try rummynose tetras as well.

[DrNic]

Woah woah woah, that is never a good rule of thumb from what I've heard. Different fish need different types of tanks. You can't have a 8-12 inch ray in a 55 gallon tank.

In a 20 gallon I agree with rich311k, somewhere around there. What type of filter do you have?
I've heard and used that general rule quite a bit actually. For most 'standard' breeds it will hold true. Obviously there can and will be exceptions in both directions though.

[jackson17]

From what i've learned here is not to use it. I don't use it, that would be keeping 7 jack dempseys or other cichlids in a 55 gallon tank. That is never a good idea lol

[Needi]

About the filter, I'm a huge fan of doubling filter rates. Also the fish im looking at aren't sensitive to current so it shouldn't be a huge problem to have a good HOB. It sounds good about the size schools should be interesting display and a good fit. Thanks guys for the fast replys

[thrakuarium]

If you have a fully cycled stable tank and put 40 gallons worth of filtration in and stay on top of your water quality, you could probably run 12 neons and 8 corys. Both fish have smaller bioloads plus the corys benefit the tank by scavenging flakes off the substrate. Keep in mind there should be specific food for the corys as well. Algae tabs and shrimp pellets are 2 that are well liked by my corys.

[fraggle]

A bit of a variation on the inch per gallon, to make it a more accurate, I was told a square inch per gallon. That means you have to take into account the height and how fat the fish is too. So the 10 inch oscar can't get shoved into a 10G tank, as he might be 10 inches long, but he's 4.5 inches high and and inch wide, so that's a minimum of a 45G (I know that they need more than 45G, but you get my point) And for the likes of the neons, etc, it takes more than 1 neon to make a square inch of fish, so you can put more than 10 neons in a 10G.

[discthrower]

Rules always have exceptions. The rule of thumb is mainly for larger tanks... Always do your research before you indulge into an unknown area. tetras and cory's are hardy fish anyway...not talking about sting rays.

[jackson17]

Yes they always have exceptions but I think the only way the 1 inch per gallon can works is with tetras.

[Jaster]

I like the way my fish guy said it to me... if you think you're overstocked, then you probably are because you wouldn't be asking if you thought they had enough room. You like your personal space, well so do fish. thumbs2:

[robflanker]

I know that 1 inch per gallon is a pretty good rule of thumb, but I've also found out that ina well established aquarium, you can have up to 3-4 inches per gallon...regular water changes, excellent filtration, water quality...yada yada. For a smaller tank like a 20 gallon you may be ok doing that.
This is just simply not true and your modification to bigger tanks is equally wrong.
I have a 10g, doesnt mean I can have a 9inch bass in there. Nor if I had a 125g tank, should I have a 125inch redtailed catfish. Its a terrible rule and always leads to more problems then not.

I would say 10-12 neons and 6 corys.
I think this is a great stocking option. You could have 8 corys if you did pygmy, but any other species of cory should be 6.

tetras and cory's are hardy fish anyway
This is wrong too - corys can be relatively sensitive. And there are lots of poor strains of tetras going around which is well documented

[Needi]

ok just to poke the fire...What ablout 10-12 neons and cherry shrimp? The shrimp seem to have nothing but positives. The chances for the Cherry shrimp to breed would be good, so how many would I start off with?

[mac]

I would like to set up a 20g tank with a couple of various schools.

Sounds like fun. Is this tank going to be a planted one.

I observed a school of about 15 panda corys and it was awesome.

They are a great fish. And the more you have the happier they are.

However this was in a LFS tank and im pretty certain that pulling such a stunt with one species is bad enough.

In a 20 gallon IMO I would say 15 Corys would be to many, if they were say BRonze Corys or the larger types. IF they were the smaller ones like Dwarf Corys or the Pygmy Corys you would be fine.

Make sure to have sand in your tank. Corys love sand. It is much better for them, and the barbels.

So my question is if i wanted a school of card tetras and panda corys...how large of schools could i place in the 20g. I know about the 1 inch per gallon...but its pretty bunk.

As for the Tetras, I think Card Tetras means Cardinal Tetras. I would say a school of 10 would be okay. And the Corys, 5-6 would be great.

IMO a Bristle Nose would be a must to add to the tank as well for the algae eating.

Good luck,
mac

[Jaster]

ok what about rummynose tetras? I have 9 of the and they are a blast to watch. They stay in a nice tight school.

Their red noses area great sign of the water too. Something is going wrong or something they don't like the nose dims to a pink color. Great warning system. lol