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Hey guys I need some stocking advice for my 20gal hex. I know hex tanks suck as far as stocking but it's been up for 1 1/2 years and was a christmas gift so. I currently have 14" of fish in it all community. Whats would be a good addition? I have no bottom feeders. most middle to upper tank.

If you are working with the old and totally unreliable rule 1ins to the 1 gal I would say you are well passed it any way.
To start of with what you said about Hex tanks is not true it is what you do with the tank it is becomes a lot more challenging. I have some excellent hex tanks.
What do you have in the tank now by that I mean every thing. A photo would also help
What is the surface area of the tank?
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Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info
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Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
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Hey! Well Im still a litle new! Most of my fish are from my little brothers tank because he just didnt take care of it so I went over and took um. Tank stocking: 1-swordtail,1-rosabarb,1bloodfin tetra,1platy,1krib.Could I see some of your hexs.
Tank is 18" tall from top of 2" gravel bed,18" at is widest point between hexsides. And 16"front to back. All filters and pumps are rated 30-40gal.

I said I have seen Hex tank that look excellent I do not have one. My small tank is a 45lt bay window front there are some photos posted at the moment My Cardinal tank

By the measurements you have given you do not have a very large surface area. In my opinion this could be the problem if you want to add more fish. Do you have any live plants at all this is always beneficial to a small tank? Do you have any extra air this gives you a greater surface area?

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info
Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

No "extra air" will make more surface area Keith, c'mon now, thats just silly talk.

Ok well thanks. Not live plants. you have a lot in a 11gal tank dont you?

Hey Spanky

The hex part isn't a problem, it is the small surface area. Tanks need as much surface area as possible in order to get good gas exchange (where the water swaps old air for new air that contains more oxygen). You can *sort of* squeeze a bit more surface area out of any tank by gently rippling the surface with filters or air pumps, and while that is a good idea for most tanks, I don't think it will greatly increase your ability to stock this tank.

There are 2 problems that are really preventing you from increasing the headcount.
1) you have a tall upright tank
2) you have a total mishmash of fish

Tall tanks are not a problem, but you have to stock as though they weren't tall. You have to stock to the surface area rather than the swimming space. In this case, gallonage is only relevant for frequency of maintenance, not how many fish you can fit.

The mix of fish presents a problem.
1 swordtail
1 rosy barb
1 bloodfin tetra
1 platy
1 krib

OK, so as it stands, they sort of fit. you can probably keep all of those fish in that tank without too much drama providing it is well filtered and well maintained.

Before we go further with stocking, can you answer a few more questions for me

Is it a hex or octagonal?

What type (make and model if you can see it) of filter do you have?

What size gravel are you using?

How often do you clean the tank/do water changes?

What decor do you have in the tank (branches, plastic plants etc)?

Out of all the fish you have, are there any that you are very attached to, or any species that you really like the look of?


(I have an octagonal, but I keep land hermits in it because the seals are a bit iffy. )

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

It is indeed a hex, With a marine-land enguin bio-wheel 150 running two carbin cartridges,gravel is ruffly 1/4-1/2inch. I clean once a week. sometimes I get busy and can only get it once every 2 weeks but that doesn't happen to often. I've got a tree truck/cave,and a few plastic plants 4 or 5. I've also got a air pump rated to 40gal,and the filter does make ripples in top of tank.
As far as the fish go I now only have 1-rosabarb,1-bloodfin tetra,1-platy. Im open to any stocking suggestion. I love all fish. The more color/diversity the better. I just want a good looking tank for my living room!

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