Ideas for 16 gallon

[achase]

Hello All,

I'm looking for suggestions for a community 16 gallon tank that is currently cycling. I have listed the type of fish I like and would like suggestions on the numbers or of some incompatibility. Thank you in advance!

I was thinking about neon tetra's, danio's, kuhli loaches, glowlight tetra's and dwarf neon rainbow. Someone said that I can't keep danio's in anything less than a 20 gallon, is that true?

With the numbers possibly being arranged like this.
- Neon Tetra's x 6
- Glowlight Tetra's x 6
- Dwarf neon rainbow x 1
- Kuhli Loach x 3
*I'm following the 2inch per gallon rule.
'

 

[littletankbigworld]

There are so many rules to follow when keeping fish. I personally have always followed the 1 inch per gallon rule for small fish. This website will help you know what and how much to stock: AqAdvisor - Intelligent Freshwater Tropical Fish Aquarium Stocking Calculator and Aquarium Tank/Filter Advisor

 

[achase]

That is a very cool site....what should the stocking level be at??

 

[achase]

 

[achase]

When I added in the fish I wanted this is what I got....so would people agree that this would be an ok setup?? Mine is a 16 gallon not a 15 gallon but that wasn't an option.

 

[bassbonediva]

You can enter your tank's dimensions and it'll give you a more accurate accounting of what you can fit in there. I think that stocking list looks fine. You might want to add some otocinclus catfish after the tank has been established for a while to help out with any algae you might get (AqAdvisor doesn't really count otos right, though, so you could have at least 3-4 in that tank with that same stocking list and be okay).

 

[achase]

When I added my tanks dimensions (20x13x18) is calculated that it was a 20 gallon tank not a 16 gallon. But if the fish count looks good for a 15 gallon then in a 16 gallon it will look better!

Would the oto's interfere with the loaches? Could I have 2 instead of 3 or 4? Also will the danios be all right in a 16 gallon because I heard that they shouldn't be kept in anything less than a 20 gallon tank.

 

[Doomhed]

giant danios nothing less than a 20...the reason it is showing up as a 20 gallon is because you most likely have a bowfront tank, yes?

I would just use your stock list and add 3-4 ottos after you have had the tank running a few months. ottos like to be kept in groups of 3+. they can be fine solitary, but they get lonely and eventually die of stress. they also like VERY clean water, so they are useful as " the canary in the coal mine" so to speak for your tank. you get them when things are perfect and if you lose an otto you know something is really screwed up.

 

[achase]

I was thinking about zebra or leopard danios....do they have the same requirements as a giant danio? I do have bowfront tank.

Sounds good. Also I have read on other postings that I shouldn't add all my fish at once. How often and how many fish should I add at a time?

Cycling Question:
Once I finish cycling do I need to continue adding a small amount of ammonia until I get fish? The articles I have read about the fishless cycling explain what to do during the cycle and right after (the water change) but don't talk about the period between the end of the cycle and getting fish.

 

[Newman]

yes you do. do this:
keep adding ammonia daily until you decide to get fish. add ammonia one day then test the next day. if you get a 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and lots of nitrates do a 50% water change and go get your fish that day.

 

[achase]

How much ammonia should I add...enough to get 5ppm?
So I will end up doing two water changes? Once when the cycle finishes and then again when I have an opportunity to get fish (after waiting a day and checking the readings)?

 

[Der_Bradly]

Here is a good combination:

8 Neon Tetra
1 Platy/ 1 dwarf gourami
3 otos
6 Khuli loaches/ 6 panda cories/ 6 skunk cories

 

[Newman]

How much ammonia should I add...enough to get 5ppm?
So I will end up doing two water changes? Once when the cycle finishes and then again when I have an opportunity to get fish (after waiting a day and checking the readings)?

only a few (4-5) drops.
you only need to get the ammonia to 5 ppm to start the initial cycle.
remember the gol is to feed the bacteria for the day before fish introduction day and then when it's safe the next day, introduce the fish.

 

[achase]

Sounds good. That makes sense!!

Remaining Questions: (For now...once these are answered I'm sure something new will arise...thank you for taking the time to answer)
1.) Do I need to add fish slowly to my tank? If so, how many at a time and what type of time period in between?
2.) Quarantine Tank? Yes or no? If yes, how long do the fish need to stay in the quarantine tank?

 

[Newman]

1) yes add them slowly. 2-3 fish at a time. max of 5 for a schooling species. wait 2 weeks in between additions. if your params test out perfect then you can add more.

2) yes you need a quarantine tank. normally I say that one is strongly advised, but since you sound like you have the room and funds for one, then I will say that its mandatory. Keep the fish in that tank for up to a month. if nothing bad happens and no sign of disease then you can add to your display tank.

Just to clear something up, after the initial raise of ammonia to 5 ppm, you should be watching the ammonia every other day. when you see them drop below 3ppm then start adding a few drops of ammonia daily. do this right up until you are ready to add fish (make sure your levels are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and nitrates are present)

 

[achase]

Lol! I wish I had room and funds!! I'm curious, what makes you think I have both?

Everything is restricted to my bedroom because my parents have no love of fish, I live at home because I'm a poor university student!
But I do have some extra fish stuff so setting up a quarantine tank won't be a problem and it won't be permanent so I can make some room for the time being (better to be safe than sorry*thumbsups).

 

[lauraf]

Lol! I wish I had room and funds!! I'm curious, what makes you think I have both?

QUOTE]

Probably because you are posing so many good questions and even asking about having a quarantine tank - you sound like a more mature first-time fishkeeper and one willing to put forth the initial funds to have an ultra-responsible set up.
Not that younger fishkeepers aren't equally responsible - so much of the advice I get from this forum are definitely from the younger-thans *thumbsups

 

[achase]

I sound mature....you guys just keep flattering me!!*thumbsups Lol!

I have kept tanks in the past but they have always been small and I basically just threw in fish. After some serious reading and aging, I figured out that I wasn't really being all that nice to my fish. So I decided to change that!

From my point of view I should treat my fish with the same level of care that I would any of my pets. I have found that a lot of people don't seem to really believe that, because fish are semi-cheap (depending on the fish) and can't really express any readable emotions. Which I think is sad. Also I find fish tanks quite peaceful and dying/dead fish don't really add to the peaceful vibe I'm trying to achieve!

 

[lauraf]

That's the attitude - good for you! Welcome to this forum where you will find yourself in good company in that regard.
BTW - I never did set up a quarantine tank, so I kinda suck.
Ummm, Go Canada Go??? (distract, distract.)
Where in BC are you?

 

[Doomhed]

T
BTW - I never did set up a quarantine tank, so I kinda suck.
Ummm, Go Canada Go??? (distract, distract.)

If it makes you feel any better, I don't do the quarantine tank thing either. I keep my heat at 77-80 degrees in my display tank to kick ich's ass, and I keep melafix and maracin handy. I usually dont lose fish to stupid petstore diseases because I only add 2-3 a month