FishProfiles.com Message Forums

just recently upgraded my tank from a 10 gallon to a 30gallon and am looking to find pictures of different set ups on aquariums, I really think my tank is very dull and does need more decorations for hiding spots and plants and other stuff.
I have 8 fish, a clown,bala, albino shark, redtail 2 blue gouramis and a striped shark (i think thats what he is called) plus a pleco. I just added the clown and the gouramis
I am aware that some of these guys will grow pretty big and will be upgrading tanks again in about 8 months or so depending on if its needed then or not.
I change about 20% of my tank water every other week and my filter every 3 weeks.
my guys are fed tropical fish flakes, frozen blood worms and zuchinni. Any other suggestions that you may have or if you have pictures I will gladly appreciate it. You can email pics to me at lyn at jynx dot net

yea, that tank is way past overstocked, with the bala, and probably an ID shark. please look at my fish pics and see how large one of these massive fishes get.http://photobucket.com/albums/a379/bettachris/plants/mis/my%20baby/female%20betta%20tank/20long%20improvment/BIG%20ID%20shark/


the clown loaches and pleco will need a bigger tank, so u will be looking at a 168g+ for all of those fishes.

http://photobucket.com/albums/a379/bettachris/plants/mis/my%20baby/female%20betta%20tank/20long%20improvment/

this is a pic of my 20 long, and a very basic set-up

and clown loaches should be in numbers.

the links are tehre, just click in teh blank spots.

Last edited by bettachris at 31-Aug-2005 15:04

You are way overstocked & you'll need a very very big tank for those fish.


http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/s8xi5heh/my_photos
http://www.geocities.com/s8xi5heh/classic_blue.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/buzaqq/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com

I applaud you for upgrading from your 10g to a 30g, and for your planned future upgrade. However, as Chris mentioned, the 30g as is is overstocked. I suggest you return AT LEAST your bala shark, supposed [link=iridescent shark]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/iridescentshark.xml" style="COLOR: #CD2626[/link] (click that), pleco, and either the albino shark or the redtail shark to the fish store. Reasons being: (1) bala sharks grow to a bit over a foot, prefer groups, and need LOTS of swimming room. (2) Iridescent sharks grow over 4 feet and also need lots of open space to swim. (3) Common plecos (which I assume is what you have) are quick growers that reach about a foot and a half. They also create a lot of waste. (4) Is the albino shark an albino redtail or an albino rainbow shark? Those are the most common. Both species tand to be intolerant of each other and their own kind, especially in a smaller tank like a 30g.

Clown loaches do get to a considerable size, but they are EXTREMELY slow growers. I have 3 in a 55g right now and I know they'll be comfortable and happy in there for a few years. You may want to get a couple more when you upgrade though. They are much happier and more active in groups.

The only potential problem I see with the gouramis is a territory dispute. This can be avoided or at least cut to a minimum by adding plants (real or fake) that reach the surface of the water.

Cutting your stock down to 2 gouramis, a clown loach and one of the smaller sharks will make for a nice 30g that will be easy to maintain. Tall plants and driftwood with a plastic or rock cave will look nice You may want to add a school of tetras or barbs of some kind? When you upgrade again, you can then get a couple more loaches and another pleco. This time around I suggest a [link=bristlenose pleco]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/triradiatusbn.xml" style="COLOR: #CD2626[/link] or a [link=rubbernose pleco]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/bulldog.xml" style="COLOR: #CD2626[/link]. Both are excellent algae eaters and stay small.

Now another matter: When you changed everything to the 30g, did you seed it with the filter media and/or some of the substrate from the 10g? Seeding colonizes the bacteria faster than letting the tank go on its own. You have a few options: run the 10g filter on the 30g (along with the 30g filter), use the substrate from the 10g and add to it, or put about 2 cups of the old gravel in mesh (like panty hose) and tie it off. Most people recommend at least 2 weeks to seed a new tank.

HTH

well, if u cant find it here is a pic of my ID sahrk, see if it is what u have.

[/font][/font]

thanks chris yes its an iredecent I just couldnt think of his name at the moment.
I bought a new hob filter when I purchased the 30gallon I also bought a new heater as well. I took about 5% of the old water and added it to the new tank and it sat for 3 days before I put the fish in there, I have had the 30 gallon up now for almost a month. New rocks and everything
They wont allow me to return the sharks as I have had them for over 6 months.
The clown and the 2 goramis I just added yesterday.
I figured 8 fish was okay and the stupid guy said yea thats fine dont add anymore. When I bought the clown I asked should they be paired or singled. He said their not a schooling fish so single ones are fine.
I am not gonna go back to the store cuz obvisoly they dont have the knoweledge. And I don't either,but I was relying on the petstore to be honest. And that is my mistake I should have known better since I am involved in animal rescue. But nooooooooo Lynsey had to be trusting..
Yes I have a common pleco he grows really fast. Is their another pleco that I can get instead that doesnt grow as fast?
Thanks guys for the honest opinions, I will be taking back the clown and the goramis. And will have to upgrade my tank alot sooner then expected.
I figure 2 fish per 5 gallons was fine. but I am wrong if I look at in the long wrong.
My albino is an albino rainbow.




Last edited by lynseyk at 31-Aug-2005 17:31

well, i would guess the only reason u have the pleco, is or algae. well in that case, ottos will do, given the other tank mates aren't that big, b/c whne they are:i mean the shark; the otto may get killed. CAE will eat algae, but when large it will be agressive.

update: ooops

Last edited by bettachris at 31-Aug-2005 23:14

Chris, I think you meant a [link=CAE]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/cae.xml" style="COLOR: #CD2626[/link] which stands for Chinese algae eater (and the color morph golden). I would NOT recommend one of those. They grow to about a foot and, as said, become aggressive with age. They're known to latch onto other fish and eat the slime coat. SAEs ([link=Siamese Algae Eaters]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/csiamensis.xml" style="COLOR: #CD2626[/link] area good choice, if you can find them of course As I mentioned in my previous post ^^^ bristlenose and rubbernose plecos are good smaller species choices. I'm not sure if Chris was recommending otos or not but I say no. Some of the existing fish are just a bit too aggressive for them.

As for the LFS employee... there are countless stories about getting wrong information from a pet shop. I always research any new species of fish I plan on getting. That avoids any problems that could otherwise arise. Too many (but not all ) stores and employees just care about making a bigger sale and getting your money. They don't give a squat about the fish. Sad, but it's the world we live in

hey chris, ur ID shark looks like he is having a hard time...anyway...how big is it?

he is haveing a bad day, b/c his buddy my clown knife 18' died. (rest in peace baby) he is around 19' and is about 6-7 years old.

oh....sorry...wow...19 inches...awesome..../:'

Emm....sorry to go off topic but.....how big is that tank Chris? That shark is in really bad shape

Bristlenoses are good plecs for 30 gallon tanks IMO.

thanks guys.
I am taking all your advice and will be taking back the clown and the gouramis. I will also try to find a home for my pleco since I know I cant take him back, he is growing really fast and I feel horrible.
No more fish for me right now. I think I will browse this site learn what I can and then go from there, the upgrading will still happen when the time is right because I dpnt want anything bad to happen to my fish. And living in a cramped tank is not the way to go.

I really hate returning these 3 because i dont know who else will get them or what will happen to them.. err I wish I had someone closer.


Last edited by lynseyk at 31-Aug-2005 23:28