New fish owner...

[greekcardinal]

Hello everyone! I just recently got a 25-gallon tank (I think), and two weeks ago we purchased 6 platies, 3 yellow and 3 red. (Well, we now only have the three yellow.) We went tonight and purchased 4 Mollies, 2 white and 2 dalmation, and a pleco. I was just wondering how many fish could comfortabley live in this tank? And what other fish could I get that are more colorful? Would 6 or so guppies be compatable? Like I said I am new to the wide world of fish, so any input would be great!! =)

[cocoa_pleco]

welcome to AC!

Youre already overstocked. The pleco gets over 24 inches and needs a 75G full grown, and your other fish are taking up alot of room. Youre already overstocked!

[Incredulous_Ed]

Welcome to AC!

[Lady Hobbs]

Welcome to AC. I sure hope you cycled your tank before adding all those fish or they will die.

You can find all about cycling in the Ebook in the left hand column or a short version is in Tips for News in tank set up. Lots of information on the net, as well, but a tank has to be cycled or the toxins will do those fish in.

[crackatinny]

Wecome to AC:22:

[greekcardinal]

Okay, I read the E-book, but I am still unsure about "cycling" Could you help? If it helps any, the 3 Platies were all we had for about a week. By the way, the pleco I said that we had, is quite small, smaller than the platy.

[Rue]

Sure!

Fish produce waste...one element of waste is ammonia...which is highly toxic to fish and can kill them, even at low levels...

...bacteria (thought to be Nitrosomonas, but might not be) break down ammonia into nitrite...also highly toxic...

...another bacteria (might be Nitrobacter) breaks nitrites into the less toxic (but still a poison!) nitrates...

In a tank, an enclosed system, you need to have well established colonies of these bacteria to break down ammonia and nitrites. YOU remove the nitrates through regular water changes. If you have a planted tank, some nitrates will be utilized by the plants as their nitrogen source. But the excess has to be removed regardless...

It takes time to establish a tank...or 'cycle' a tank...if you did nothing but supply the water and a filter...it would likely take 6 weeks or even more...but you can try and speed up the process in various ways...

The nitrifying bacteria are ubiquitous...they're everywhere...even airbourne...so eventually they'll find their way into your tank. They're also aerobic...meaning they need oxygen to survive. That's why the biowheels are successful...they really oxygenate the bacteria but keep them wet at the same time...but the sponges in any filter provide the same service...

[Lady Hobbs]

The easiest way for me to describe this for you is to read the Tips for Newbies on Cycling. It's in the Tank setup thread. It's a quick read and I hope easier to understand.

[Denorios]

your Pleco may be very small right now, but it will get huge, and it will grow fast. The speed of growth depends on how much food it gets. But eventually it will outgrow your tank. Not a big deal, most local fish stores (LFS) will take it off your hands when it gets too big, or you may decide you want a bigger tank.

[jeffs99dime]

welcome to a.c.

[Abbeys_Mom]

Welcome to the forum :)