20g tank question

[freshwaterfishlover]

I just bought a new 20g tank today. I plan to put 7 Harlequin Rasbora and 7 Cardinal Tetras. The guy at my local LFS told me why don't you put more. Your fish grow 1". You will still have room.

My question is could I also put two Ottos Cats or is my stocking plan enought?

My filter will be an Aquaclear 50 and 100w Heater.

[Kuli_Loach]

Lower it to about 5 each and maybe 2 ottos.

[zackish]

2 ottos is fine, you might even be able to throw a few corys in there but that might be pushing it.
What kind of filtration are you going to be having and what type of tank are you going for?
Simple decorations? planted?

[Kuli_Loach]

He is using an aquaclear 50. I say that would really be pushing it. With excellent filtration, you may be able to pull off the 7's and 2 ottos.

[zackish]

My bad....now that kuli says 5 it brings me to an idea for you.
Just go with one type of fish and get like 10.
In my 30 i have 8 cardinal and i just bought 4 rasboras and waiting on more.
Cardinals are def. my favorite but you could go with either. If you went with the rasboras you might even be able to go with 12 or so.
Definitely think about a better filter though, a canister or maybe a AC70.

[Kuli_Loach]

Have you looked into the glowlights?

[freshwaterfishlover]

unless anyone tells me diffrent I will stay with the 7's.

[Incredulous_Ed]

I say you can add 2 ottos, no problem. Just remember to stock gradually unless you're doing fishless cycling.

[*Sarah*]

Have you looked into the glowlights?

I saw some of those...are they dyed?

NEVERMIND, not the fish I thought they were...I was thinking about those fluorescent pink Danios I saw...

[freshwaterfishlover]

Do you think a Betta would do ok with Cardinals and Rasboras or will it eat them?

[Fishguy2727]

I wouldn't do a betta.

The fluorescent pink danios are called glofish. It is a genetically modified fish, so there is no cruel injections or dying, and the color doesn't fade. However, there are pink danios that have been dyed (a knock-off of the glofish).

The filtration is fine. The water changes are the only limiting factor.
What will the water change schedule be?

You could definitely add a few ottos and some cories as long as your water change schedule isn't too low.

[freshwaterfishlover]

Every 2 weeks I do a water change. How many Ottos are we talking about? If I went with Platies how many could they be?

[freshwaterfishlover]

Just added the gravel tonight. Picked black Gravel.

In my Tanks I have Green Blue Multi Color White and now pure Black.

[Fishguy2727]

The water parameters for platies and tetras do not really match up. For the ottos you should slowly add them until they are getting the job done, if it is more than three or four of them make sure your nitrates are not climbing to quickly.

I would increase the water changes to weekly. How much water are you changing each time?

[freshwaterfishlover]

30% water change or so.

[freshwaterfishlover]

I would like to add Ottos and keep them there for ever. how many?

[Fishguy2727]

It depends. Some tanks only need a couple, others need a whole school. I would wait and see how many it takes to keep the algae down.

[freshwaterfishlover]

Yes, But I want them for the Alge and for looks. 3 ok or should I go with 2/

[Fishguy2727]

Three should be fine.

[freshwaterfishlover]

3 Ottos cats
7 H Rasboras
7 Cardinal or Neon Tetras

[Fishguy2727]

You may need a scavenger, either a few cories or one or two small loaches.

[freshwaterfishlover]

Are you saying Cories plus the Ottos or or you saying instead the Cories?

If I get Cories I will bring it down to 2 Ottos. Besides I realy do not want Cories. I have enought already.

[Fishguy2727]

It would be better if you had something to scavenge extra food off of the bottom, that would be either cories or loaches. The stocking really isn't that high, you could handle a couple small bottom feeders.

[freshwaterfishlover]

You saying
7 H Rasboras
7 Neon or Cardinal Tetras
2 Ottos
2 Loaches.

Never had Loaches. What kind do you recomand? I would like non Snake like Loaches.

Fishguy I see your in Norther VA. I live in Montgomery County Maryland.

[Fishguy2727]

I would get a small species of loach. Some only get to 2-3". You will probably have the best selection at Aquarium Depot and House of Tropicals, both are just off the Baltimore beltway. That stocking list assumes that you have enough filtration and do enough water changes. Nitrates should be at 40 absolute max, preferably no more than 20. Mine stay 5-10.

I am in Prince William County (started some of the toughest anti-illegal immigrations laws in the nation).

[freshwaterfishlover]

Like I said this what it's going to be

Aquaclear 50
30% or so Water change every 2 weeks.

[MeganL3985]

your doing a 30% every other week? shouldn't it be every week?

[freshwaterfishlover]

Some people do it as little as once a month. It's up to you.

[MeganL3985]

It is up to the person to wait a month or even longer but its not necessarily good for the fish. I was just under the impression that a water change should be done atleast once a week?

[cocoa_pleco]

It is up to the person to wait a month or even longer but its not necessarily good for the fish. I was just under the impression that a water change should be done atleast once a week?

its best to do that but i admit on a few of my tanks i havent done water changes in quite a while and all my parameters are really good

[MeganL3985]

hmm...I guess you could get away with it on larger tanks lol :) My fish would keel over in my 2.5 & 5 gals. haha

[freshwaterfishlover]

Well with 6 tanks soon I can not do Water Changes every Week. By the way I think every 2 weeks is enough anyway.


I plan to sell my 38g long and buy a 45g high.

Anyone lives in the Baltimore Washington Area and wants to buy it let me know.

$150.00
38 Gallon Long + Hood Light
Aquaclear 70 Sponge Filter
Penplex 200W heater
Thermometer
Multicolor Gravel
6 Real Banana Plants
5 Fake Dwarf Hairgrass
1 Fake Regular Multi Stem Hairgrass

[freshwaterfishlover]

Don't have a problem with my water changes.

[Fishguy2727]

The more water changes the better, but the minimum schedule is determined mainly by your nitrate level because it is usually a good reflection of water quality (nitrates, dissolved organic compounds, growth inhibiting hormones, etc.). It is a very good habit to get into to do weekly water changes.

[freshwaterfishlover]

Usualy my Paremeters are great. I'm staying with every other week. I'm not worried.