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Hi

I have a 46 Gal cold water tank with a Fluval 4 plus pump and 2 strip lights (1 UV, 1 Normal). See attached pictures...

http://www.ucantlose.co.uk/fish1.jpg
http://www.ucantlose.co.uk/fish2.jpg

This tank attracts a lot of algae on the glass, rocks and fake plants so I have just given it a good clean out. I have also bought some real plants to take some of the nutrients away from the algae.

I have also been told to get some hillstream loaches to eat any excess algae, will they fit into my tank and how many can I have without overstocking my tank? - I would like at least 2 and I currently have...

1 Small Black Moor
2 Medium Gold Fish - about 3 years old - 2 inch long
2 Fan Tailed Gold Fish - about 3 years old - 2 inch long
1 Shubumkin - about 3 years old - 2 inch long

Where can I get hillstream loaches from, is there anywhere that accepts online orders and delivers? The lad in my local pet shop was clueless!!

Also (sorry for all the questions) the 4 plants I have bought have come in pots. Do I keep them in the pots or do I plant them in the gravel and let them take root?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks
Carl


Last edited by sherman12 at 07-Jan-2005 08:30

take the plants out of the pots, and get rid of the fiber on the root ball.

hillstream loaches are really cool if given the right aquarium conditions. read up on them, and see if your tank meets their requirements. all are wild caught from fast flowing cold streams, some species seem to eat algea, while others do not.

good luck.

Well you're already overstocked. The fancy goldfish need a minimum of a 75 gallon tank for the space. Fish that age should be more than twice the size.

Common goldfish the ones normally sold as "feeder fish" need nothing less than a pond.

Your fish are already stunted and I'd suggest fixing the stocking rather than addin more. Since goldfish produce more waste than most tropicals and since loaches generally live on the bottom they wouldnt be pleased with the living conpanions...mainly all the poo .

^_^
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