Active tank, Overstress?

**friz** · 03-19-2007, 07:10 PM

I posted a while back. My intention was to do a fishless cycle in a 10 gallon to get started. Well pressure from my family was to have fish in from the start, so I cycled with 5 tiger barbs and my daughters betta on and off. The betta was pulled back to the jar when the ammonia started to spike and the fish started getting sick. Well the tank came out of the back side of the cycle with two barbs left, and the betta went back in. The barbs and the betta get along very well. The large barb and the betta seem to be friendly. The smaller barb seems to be getting a little more aggresive. I think this is the result of the the betta and the other barb chasing it around. Today I thought it would be a good idea to add some more fish. I bought 6 neon tetras and added them to the mix. I know they are probably stressed from the move, but the little barb won't leave them alone. This behavior seems to be just curiosity but stressful nonetheless. Should I be worried?

10 gal
PH 7.6
Ammo 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5ppm
1 Betta
2 Tiger Barbs
6 Neon Tetras
Planted with two bulbs and two root bits. Don't know the details. Bought them in blister packs at Wally World. Building a CO2 setup today.

**Drumachine09** · 03-19-2007, 07:18 PM

I would take the Betta out ASAP. Tiger barbs, all though small, are notorious fin nippers. The smaller one might see the big one as a threat, and have somewhat of a napoleon complex (they are small, but they think they are big and tough) which could be leading to his agression. Also, tiger barbs will grow up to 3 inches, so they arent the best idea either. You could get some corydoras with the barbs, but when the barbs get big, youll have to get rid of them, because they will need a bigger tank.

**Chrona** · 03-19-2007, 07:37 PM

Don't add CO2 until you get everything straightened out. CO2 injection lowers pH by roughly 0.5-1.0 and your fish don't need anything more to cope with at the moment. Your plants won't begin to use Co2 until they grow out of that bulb anyways.

**friz** · 03-19-2007, 07:38 PM

The betta and the barbs work quite well together at this time. They have been tank mates for month or so. The barbs get along with the betta better then the barbs get along with each other. The barbs are chasing each other or the new tetras. The betta even gets into the action. I'm worried that the tetras may not be up to the constant action. I think the neons are getting into the agggresive nature of the tank. I saw two of the neons doing the lip lock thing that the barbs do occasionally.

**friz** · 03-19-2007, 07:41 PM

Thanks for the advice. The plants have all sprouted and one is at the top of the tank already. I have just noticed that they have all stopped growing all of a sudden. Thought that CO2 would get things going again. I will put it off for a while.

**Chrona** · 03-19-2007, 07:48 PM

What kind of plants are they and how much lighting do you have? 2 plants under a standard 15 watt fluorescent bulb should not really need CO2 injection, since CO2 will diffuse into the water at a faster rate than the plants can take it in (roughly 3-4 ppm)

**friz** · 03-19-2007, 08:08 PM

I dont have florescent. I have two incandesent for plants. I have four plants one has grown well and the other seem to be lagging behind a bit. I thought I would try a DIY soda bottle setup streight into the impellor on my HOB filter to diffuse it.

**genitor** · 03-19-2007, 10:57 PM

Adding co2 without adding more plants, better lighting and fertilizers may result in an algae problem. A balance between the lighting, the co2 and nutrients must be obtained and maintained or algae may rear its ugly head. Since you only have a few plants and very low light, co2 is not really warranted and may cause more harm than good.

**Chrona** · 03-19-2007, 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by genitor

Adding co2 without adding more plants, better lighting and fertilizers may result in an algae problem. A balance between the lighting, the co2 and nutrients must be obtained and maintained or algae may rear its ugly head. Since you only have a few plants and very low light, co2 is not really warranted and may cause more harm than good.

Actually CO2 inhibits many forms of algae, but you are right about the balance thing. At this point all CO2 would do (especially under incandescent lighting) is cause some mild pH swings.