Plant advice

[Madam]

I need to put another plant into my little tank - it's a 60L, with the following...
2 Moon gourami's
2 dwarf gourami's (going to buy 2 more soon)
2 small plecs / algae-eaters
4 Cory's
3 tetras (going to buy more soon)

2 plants - I don't know what they are. One is quite large with dark green round-ish leaves, and one is tall with long light-green leaves.

I see that other fishkeepers put a lot of thought into what plant to buy, but I wouldn't know the first thing about them.

What should I be looking out for, for my little tank? :smile1:

[Reafer]

2 plants - I don't know what they are. One is quite large with dark green round-ish leaves, and one is tall with long light-green leaves.



anychance you can post some pics of the two plants?
What sort of lighting do u have in you tank?

[Madam]

Hmm. Posting pics could be a problem, I'm connected from work. Can try organize a picture tomorrow... maybe. Have tried googling them, but no matches so far.

I actually took the tank over from someone else, so I know very little about what I've got - I have one light in at the moment (standard from LPS).

[Madam]

Ok, I've done a bit more browsing, and it would seem that my one plant could be an anubias of some kind... The other one is quite common, long light green leaves, one leaf per stem. Very pretty.

But I'll take some pics tonight. :o)

[Zoom]

Post some pics, and I can guarantee that Solex will give you the latin, german and hebrew name... and then if memory serves me right, Henk will give you all the other names.

[Madam]

Ha ha! I'll definitely get some pics up and see just how good Solex is... :blink1:

[small_fry]

wouldnt buy anymore fish as that tank is already overstocked.

[Madam]

Aw Small Fry :frown:

[Gilbertr14]

Aw Small Fry :frown:

You can use www.thinkfish.co.uk (http://www.thinkfish.co.uk) to check.
Use the community builder near the bottom.

It will tell you what you can add and what is compatible.
It does not allow for plants, but common sense should prevail. I usually take off 15% of the available space.

[Madam]

Thanks Gilbert, really bummed about this now.

[Madam]

Small Fry, I really am confused... Did the test on thinkfish.co.uk, as suggested, and they say my current capacity is around 169.344cm, but I'm only sitting at 60cm.

Surely I have space to get my gourami's some girlfriends?

*SIGH* :wondering:

[Gilbertr14]

Thanks Gilbert, really bummed about this now.

I got 190, based on normal plecs and emperor tetras (Worst case)

Taking a/both plecs out will resolve the issue.
your corys need bigger shoals as well.

[Madam]

I got 190, based on normal plecs and emperor tetras (Worst case)

Taking a/both plecs out will resolve the issue.
your corys need bigger shoals as well.

Hmm, I'm obviously working it out wrong.

Hmm, the tetras are the same size as the neons, and the clown plecs are not even half the size of my little finger... Do they really make so much of a difference?

I know I need more tetras, as they are schooling fish, and I have heard the corys do better with over 5.

I'm confused. :push: I'm going home.

Thanks guys, let's chat more about this - I obviously need some teaching.

[small_fry]

its not really the space issue i was talking about overstocking but the filtration...yes, get rid of the plecs and add a few more fish in...plecos are huge waste producers...

[Gilbertr14]

Hmm, I'm obviously working it out wrong.

Hmm, the tetras are the same size as the neons, and the clown plecs are not even half the size of my little finger... Do they really make so much of a difference?

I know I need more tetras, as they are schooling fish, and I have heard the corys do better with over 5.

I'm confused. :push: I'm going home.

Thanks guys, let's chat more about this - I obviously need some teaching.

Remember its all based on mature fish.

[Reafer]

you need another tank :p

[Gilbertr14]

Bigger Filter :)

[Reafer]

and the clown plecs are not even half the size of my little finger...

Clown pleco's are small they only get to about 100mm werent those sizes worked out on common pleco's?

[Madam]

Clown pleco's are small they only get to about 100mm werent those sizes worked out on common pleco's?

That's what I was wondering...

[Madam]

What... if... I... got the BOONEST FILTER IN THE WORLD and stuck it in??? :smile1: (The boonest filter that will fit in my tank)

I can't think of losing my clown pleco's, they really are my babies...

[Reafer]

when working it out on that website i get:
Guide stocking level: 70.2cm Current stocking level: 65cm

You dont have to get rid of those pleco's but u cant get more fish in that tank :( unless you really increase the filtration.

put a good external filter in and it increases the Guide stocking level to : 99.45cm

[Zoom]

Don't go too wild with the internal filtration.. Remember the bigger the filter, the higher the pump... which means that the water will be pumped over the bacteria in the filter too fast and they won't get enough oxygen or waste.

A bigger filter is based on having more stock and a bigger tank. If you go for a bigger filter, you need to increase the number of fish accordingly to ensure that the concentration of waste and oxygen flowing over the bacteria is higher as the water will be passing faster.
Alternately I think most internal filters can be turned down... Hoping someone else could comment?

[Madam]

Hmmm, this could be an option, Zoom.

If I can increase filtration, and increase my guide stocking level (even just to 99cm, as above), it is definitely my intention to get more fish, even if it's just two female dwarf gourami's, and one more cory. (And get another plant in there)

At most, I'm willing to give tetras away. (not that they make much difference)

I really appreciate the advice and knowledge that everyone is being so generous with! :rolleyes:

[Rowland]

Hi Kirsty
I would also perhaps think about another light before you add more plants. Getting the plants to thrive with adequate light will also increase oxygen levels in your tank, benefitting your fish too.
P.S. If it is an anubias you have, make sure that the roots are not buried. These plants do best if attached to a rock or some wood, roots exposed to the water column.

Good luck

[Madam]

I am pretty sure it is an anubias... yay, I've done something right!! (the roots aren't buried)