yes another newbie stocking question

[rebbs]

Hello, I currently have a few questions for 2 different tanks:

Tank 1:

I have a 12 US gallon bowfront tank (marineland eclipse 12 - filter is 150 gph per manufacturer) heater, airstone and artificial (silk) plants in tank. I am planning on keeping zebra danio in the tank (only zebra danio). I have read the page that states they are best kept in groups of 6 or more and the minimum tank size is 10 us gallons. I would like to keep a total of 8 zebra danio in the tank. Would this be ok? I have recieved a lot of conflicting information some say I can keep only 2 and others say I can keep up to 20. Now I know I am a beginner, but even I know that 20 is way to many :smile:.
Also, I know that algae is not a concern right now but I do realize that it may become an issue down the road and I have no ideas as to what would be a good addition to the tank to help control algae once it becomes a problem?

Tank 2:

This is a 5 US gallon bowfront tank with a Aqua Clear 20 filter (high setting 100 gph low setting 33 gph will be on low setting for final stock), and heater (airstone is present for fishless cycling but will be removed for the final stock or at bear minimum turned down really low). I plan to keep a Betta fish (probably male) as the final stock. Again I realize that algae is not a problem at the moment, and that you need to be very careful what you put in with betta fish, so what would be a good addition for algae control assistance in a 5 gallon with a Betta?

So question recap:
1 - Would 8 zebra danio be ok in a 12 us gallon tank?
2- When required what would be a good algae eating/controlling
fish/invertibrate to get with the 8 zebras in a 12 gallon tank?
3 - When required what would be a good algae eating/controlling
fish/invertibrate to get with the Male Betta in a 5 gallon tank?

I am sorry if these sound like stupid questions but I am new to all this and the information on the internet can be quite over whelming, and to top it all off the local pet stores are no help at all - they are the ones that told me I could have 20 danios in a 12 gallon tank, so I have learned not to trust them.

FYI - both tanks currently doing a fishless cycle should be completed in another couple of weeks. Also I am aware that weekly water changes of 20-25% (minimum depending on test readings) are in order and I am more then willing to do that - more if necessary. I do have an API liquid test kit and know that even after cycling test should be completed at a minimum of once per week.

Thanks

[Lolita]

Hi, welcome to AC!! You'll be glad you joined!

With the 5 gallon, I would leave the air stone in, maybe just turn it down a bit because my best friend has a betta in a 5 gallon and he plays in the bubbles and chases them around! It's pretty cute.

I think you could keep a snail in with your betta. The shell will protect it in case your betta shows aggression toward it.

As for the 12 gallon, I think that 8 danios would be fine--of course more knowlageable people than myself will be posting soon to give you their own opinion on that, but as far as I know, it would be okay.

As for algae in that tank, I'm not sure what can be added along with the 8 danios. I've been told otos don't do well in tanks that small--but wait for someone else to give their input on that one!

[rich311k]

1. I think 8 would be fine.

2 and 3: You may not need one. Keep your lighting to a minmum and have a good cleaning routine and algae may not be a problem

I would recommend 50% weekly changes. With small tanks it is quite easy anyway.

[rebbs]

Thanks guys, I am glad to hear that 8 zebras would be good, I really wanted some glofish ... I was going to get 2 of each colour and then 2 regular zebaras ... you just made my day :19:

As for the Algae eaters ... I was not planning to get any just yet, and hopefully I won't need to get any but I am sure that the algae will creep in somehow ... so I gues snails it is, I was just worried about using snails as I have heard that they breed really easily ... but hopefully with the water changes and weekly cleanouts I won't have to worry about it.

Thanks

[Jaster]

So question recap:
1 - Would 8 zebra danio be ok in a 12 us gallon tank?
2- When required what would be a good algae eating/controlling
fish/invertibrate to get with the 8 zebras in a 12 gallon tank?
3 - When required what would be a good algae eating/controlling
fish/invertibrate to get with the Male Betta in a 5 gallon tank?

1 - I think that would be fine. You should have no issues there and that would give them a nice sized group. Great little fish... love mine.

2- I'm a big fan of Bristlenose plecos. They only get about 4 inches in size and they are one of the best cleaning crews I've seen. They get along with pretty much everyone. Even my grumpy old Betta and cichlids don't bother them. 1 or 2 of those would do the job very well.

3 - See above. lol. Snails are a good choice too. If your Betta is on the aggressive side then the sails might be a better choice, but if he's just a grump from time to time (like mine) then the b/n should be ok. Just make sure he's got a few places to hide for a while for when your Betta has a mood swing.



I am sorry if these sound like stupid questions but I am new to all this and the information on the internet can be quite over whelming, and to top it all off the local pet stores are no help at all - they are the ones that told me I could have 20 danios in a 12 gallon tank, so I have learned not to trust them.

FYI - both tanks currently doing a fishless cycle should be completed in another couple of weeks. Also I am aware that weekly water changes of 20-25% (minimum depending on test readings) are in order and I am more then willing to do that - more if necessary. I do have an API liquid test kit and know that even after cycling test should be completed at a minimum of once per week.

Thanks


Good you learned that one now about LFS... I didn't and got 5 goldfish for my 3 gallon eclipse... oops... Look for the old mom and pop type shop if you have one near you.

We've all asked the exact same questions when we started so don't worry. Next month you're going to ask us why your water is green or cloudy... :hmm3grin2orange: It can be a lot to take in but once you get a understanding of what it is you're doing you'll be fine. Fish keeping for some reason uses a lot of big complicated words and phrases that tell you nothing more then to keep the water clean, feed the fish once a day, heat, filter, mix well and enjoy. At the end of the day thats all you're doing. You only need to do more then that if something isn't right.

[robflanker]

So question recap:
1 - Would 8 zebra danio be ok in a 12 us gallon tank?
Yea I think that would be fine
2- When required what would be a good algae eating/controlling
fish/invertibrate to get with the 8 zebras in a 12 gallon tank?
You won't be able to add any algae eating fish to this tank. You are just going to have to battle algae with elbow grease and planting
3 - When required what would be a good algae eating/controlling
fish/invertibrate to get with the Male Betta in a 5 gallon tank?
Definitely absolutely not to any algae eater in this tank. Betta and thats it. See above for solutions


Welcome and Good luck!

Jaster - a BN is definitely 100% not appropriate for a 5g or a 12g IMO. Snails are his only option.

[Jaster]

Ya I probably should have said the one in the 5g is only an inch long... but why not the 12 Rob? I've never had a problem with them in my 10g tanks. More then enough room for one IMO.

[robflanker]

So otos are best kept in groups of 3+, and there wouldnt be room IMO for 8 danios and 3+ otos in a 12g.

I meant to clarify that earlier but was running short on time.

If you want otos, lose some danios.
And no way ever in the 5g

Hope that helps

[jaysee]

1. I think 8 would be fine.

2 and 3: You may not need one. Keep your lighting to a minmum and have a good cleaning routine and algae may not be a problem

I would recommend 50% weekly changes. With small tanks it is quite easy anyway.

Agreed 100%. Algae is an if, not a when. Several of my tanks are algae free because I don't leave the lights on too long and don't overfeed.

Algae becomes a problem when the fish are overfed, water changes are not large enough/often enough and the lights are left on too long (including direct sunlight).

[mac]

To answer your question,

IMO a 12g tank is way to small for a school of Danois. They really do like more length in a tank. A 20g long would be a better suited size.

Fish like Neon or Cardinal Tetras would work fine in a school.

As for fish to keep algae down a BN would not work. One they get quite large. They produce a great amount of waste. Which will make your water quality much more of a harder job to keep just right.

Ottos would work, if you went with more your Tetra or Rasbora type fish for your 12g.


mac