Do I need more bottom feeders in my tank

beevee · 08-03-2008, 04:22 PM

I currently have a 55 gallon planted tank. It has 12 rummy nose tetras, 12 cardinal tetras, 5 rams, 2 dwarf plecos, and 2 clown loaches. Do I have enough bottom feeders in the tank currently? Should I add cory's to the tank? If so how many? Also I plan on adding some discus to the tank. What would be a good number to add without over populating my tank? I appreciate the help!!!

ZooTycoonMaster · 08-03-2008, 04:27 PM

The Clown Loaches are overstocking your tank already. They grow up to a foot long and 2 of them should have at least a 100 gallon tank.

And I'd say the Plecos are enough since they poop alot, but you can add some Cories if you want to.

Green Leaf Aquariums · 08-03-2008, 04:30 PM

I dont think you should add anymore fish then what you have. I definitely would not add any Discus to that size tank. I think 5 rams is a little much in that size tank, but thats just how I am with rams. They need lots of space when they decide to pair up.

seAdams · 08-03-2008, 05:17 PM

Agree with the others. Your tank is stocked to the limit even without the Clown Loaches.

You'll need to either upgrade to a huge tank, or find them another home, and t's very difficult to find new homes for giant sized fish like these.

**BottomFeeder** · 08-03-2008, 07:25 PM

As the others have said you are overstocked. I would get rid of the two clown loaches and a couple of the rams.

fshfanatic · 08-03-2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZooTycoonMaster

The Clown Loaches are overstocking your tank already. They grow up to a foot long and 2 of them should have at least a 100 gallon tank.

True they can, in 20+ some odd years. They grow very slowly.

ZooTycoonMaster · 08-03-2008, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fshfanatic

True they can, in 20+ some odd years. They grow very slowly.

Yes, but Koi grow slow as well. Could they be housed in a 55?

lauraleellbp · 08-03-2008, 08:09 PM

My LFS had a 12" clown loach that they said was only 3 years old. Grew up in a 210gal. My clowns were 6" at 8 years, and grew up in a 46gal. After hearing and seeing the clown loach at my LFS, I feel like my own clowns may have been stunted.

I agree you probably have too many rams for a 55gal, but it also depends somewhat on your gender ratios. If only 1 or 2 are males and the rest females, you MAY be ok as long as there are lots of hiding places and lines of sight are broken with plants and hardscape.

IMO a 90gal tank is the smallest size appropriate for a small school of discus. Discus need to be kept in groups, and a school would not have enough swimming room in a 55gal.

beevee · 08-03-2008, 11:31 PM

I appreciate all of the responses. I am disappointed that I can not add Discus to the tank. Oh well you live and learn.

08-03-2008, 04:22 PM	#1
beevee Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Denver Posts: 11	Do I need more bottom feeders in my tank I currently have a 55 gallon planted tank. It has 12 rummy nose tetras, 12 cardinal tetras, 5 rams, 2 dwarf plecos, and 2 clown loaches. Do I have enough bottom feeders in the tank currently? Should I add cory's to the tank? If so how many? Also I plan on adding some discus to the tank. What would be a good number to add without over populating my tank? I appreciate the help!!!

08-03-2008, 04:27 PM	#2
ZooTycoonMaster Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (31/100%) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Santa Clara, California Posts: 3,742	The Clown Loaches are overstocking your tank already. They grow up to a foot long and 2 of them should have at least a 100 gallon tank. And I'd say the Plecos are enough since they poop alot, but you can add some Cories if you want to. __________________ Eheim Classic 2213 Eheim Pimp #341

08-03-2008, 04:30 PM	#3
Green Leaf Aquariums Sponsor (View User Tanks) PTrader: (86/100%) Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SWAMP Posts: 4,699	I dont think you should add anymore fish then what you have. I definitely would not add any Discus to that size tank. I think 5 rams is a little much in that size tank, but thats just how I am with rams. They need lots of space when they decide to pair up. __________________ Aquatic Plant Enthusiasts Forum & The Planted Aquarium Blog & Co2 AND HOW IT RELATES TO THE PLANTED AQUARIUM.

08-03-2008, 08:09 PM	#8
lauraleellbp Fresh Fish Freak (View User Tanks) PTrader: (69/100%) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 22,486	My LFS had a 12" clown loach that they said was only 3 years old. Grew up in a 210gal. My clowns were 6" at 8 years, and grew up in a 46gal. After hearing and seeing the clown loach at my LFS, I feel like my own clowns may have been stunted. I agree you probably have too many rams for a 55gal, but it also depends somewhat on your gender ratios. If only 1 or 2 are males and the rest females, you MAY be ok as long as there are lots of hiding places and lines of sight are broken with plants and hardscape. IMO a 90gal tank is the smallest size appropriate for a small school of discus. Discus need to be kept in groups, and a school would not have enough swimming room in a 55gal. __________________ Geckos galore: Geckos in Tails, and follow Geckos in Tails on Facebook 29 gal Planted Tetra Tank, 46 gal Betta simplex community, 90 gal Low Tech Community, Amazon Fishing; my Journal of 10 days in Bolivia along the Rio San Martin

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08-03-2008, 05:17 PM	#4
seAdams Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 400	Agree with the others. Your tank is stocked to the limit even without the Clown Loaches. You'll need to either upgrade to a huge tank, or find them another home, and t's very difficult to find new homes for giant sized fish like these.

08-03-2008, 07:25 PM	#5
BottomFeeder Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 316	As the others have said you are overstocked. I would get rid of the two clown loaches and a couple of the rams.

08-03-2008, 11:31 PM	#9
beevee Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Denver Posts: 11	I appreciate all of the responses. I am disappointed that I can not add Discus to the tank. Oh well you live and learn.