Swapping out the Tetra's...for big neon school?

[mizzoutank]

I've had my silver tips for about a year and a half now and want something new.

so I was thinking to put them in my 10gal.

I really fancy getting a huge school of neons or something of the sorts so whatcha think of this proposed set up?

1 bn pleco (baby)
1 rubber lip pleco
1 krib
2 bolivian rams
6-8 cory cats (i think. can't "gather them to count anymore")
1 german blue ram (in QT...going to see if I can pull of the dwarf set up)
and last but not least 30neons?

I know aqadvisor isn't the greatest, but to let you know what that site says-it says that stock list is at 97%

tank is well established over 18months old.
45gallon tank
filtration rated for 210gallons
pwc 50% weekly
heavy heavy heavy driftwood decor-will add in vals/anubias in the future.

thoughts? suggestions?

[fishmommie]

I like it! I think you could actually increase your neons by another 10. they don't carry much of a bio load and with the filtration you're running, I suspect it could handle it.
Want to see photos of this one :o)

[mizzoutank]

Don't entice me with a bigger school. lol

At a LFS-they have a display tank and one time they had it stocked with more neons than I could imagine. and seeing them all together was just a sight to see. so I want to try and emulate that with my set up.

I'll for sure post pictures once everything is settled-the tank is in a "holding period" (bare bottom, few pieces of wood) until my man cave is set up.

so while that is happening i'm doing everything right this time with setting up the hardscape!!

[Strider199]

Sounds like a great project. Setting everything up and being in no hurry is the way to go. If you can get Cardinals instead of Neons, I think you'll like the colour better.

[mizzoutank]

I'll be honest....I thought cardinals were the same as neons? they use both names here and they look similar to me.

Whats the diff?

[Sandz]

Cardinals are hardier, have a full red stripe instead of a half and grow larger. ANd I +1 the use of cardinals instead.

[Sandz]

here is an example:

[mizzoutank]

Nice! that helps with the visual. i could never tell the difference until now.

do the cardinals have the same low bioload? because i really want that massive school

[Sandz]

You could easily do 30-40 in a school in a 45 with the other little dwarf cichlids.

[steeler58]

You could easily do 30-40 in a school in a 45 with the other little dwarf cichlids.

+ 1 to sandz on this suggestion and + 2 to Cardinals over Neons. Once you go Cardinal, you will never go back.

Cardinals are much more active than neons and though they are not a tight schooler they school better than neons. Most cardinals are still wild caught and much more healthy stock than neons.