Advice on Stocking...

**Bretzz** · 09-02-2010, 06:01 PM

I was planning on stocking my 29 Gallon with these:

6 x Bloodfin Tetra
2 x Swordtail
2 x Bolivian Ram
1 x BN Pleco

Seems kinda small, but the tank looks pretty busy even without the last two.

I was thinking of maybe adding 6 Neon or Cardinal Tetras. AqAdvisor says stocking is 107% for neons and 112% for Cardinals, but I've seen people talk about how their tanks are like 125% stocked according to AqAdvisor.

Can it be done? By the looks of the tank now, it would be a very busy tank. Although once my plants grow in more, it won't look so open.

Also, i may try and get rid of the swordtails, they just mess up every stocking I think up :(

**Brhino** · 09-02-2010, 06:07 PM

The stocking percentage AqAdvisor puts out is an estimate only. Experienced aquarists often exceed that percentage, sometimes considerably. That should not be taken as a green light to ignore the warnings, however. What do you have for filtration? If you're ever pushing the stocking limit on a tank you want to make sure you have excellent filtration to go with it.

**Bretzz** · 09-02-2010, 06:12 PM

I have an Aquaclear 50 hob filter, I should be OK?

**Taurus** · 09-02-2010, 06:31 PM

You should be fine with an AC50. If your stock grows, you can always add an AC20, or AC30 to the AC50. With that said, I am not encouraging you to overstock.

**Bretzz** · 09-02-2010, 06:33 PM

Ok, If I get rid of the Swordtails my stocking is about 90%, and the filtration capacity goes up by like 20%, crazy that 2 little fish make that much of a difference :o

**Taurus** · 09-02-2010, 06:39 PM

Swordtails are livebearers and tend to be messy when compared to the rest of your stock, IMHO. You might want to consider going with a larger school of bloodfin tetras say 8 - 9. Stay under 10 and you should be fine.

**Bretzz** · 09-02-2010, 06:41 PM

Yea I see them poop a lot.. and nice big strands :P I've never seen a tetra poop though

**Taurus** · 09-02-2010, 06:46 PM

Bloodfins are a really good choice because they are a hardy tetra with long lives if well taken care of. LOL..the biggest pooper is the BN pleco although the fish is a good choice.

8 x Bloodfin Tetra
2 x Bolivian Ram
1 x BN Pleco

Nice stocking list. Make sure your tank is well cycled before adding any fish and add the Bolivian Rams last. Add a few live plants and you're good to go.

**Bretzz** · 09-02-2010, 06:53 PM

All I have so far is 6 Bloodfins and the 2 Swordtails, the Bloodfins are fun but they don't add much colour.. I like the look of neons so I think 2 different types of tetra would look nice.. Ill see about more bloodfins instead but idk.