miraloma

I've just got a AquaVista 500 (26"x26"x4.5" thickness), 6.6 gallon tank. It's basically one big square and very shallow/flat. I already have 2 male guppies and 1 female platy. Being a beginner, I'd like to add a few more but not sure what to get.
1. I need an algae eater but I don't want one that'll get too big. The FishLore website says not to get a Chinese Algae Eater. What are my other options if I want one that stays small?
2. Guppies swim middle to top and platy goes all over. What other types of fish would complement my existing fish? I think something that either goes all over or stays low would be fun.

Thanks in advance!

sgould

Popular smallish algae eaters are oto's (otocinclus) and bristlenose plecos. Otos should be kept in small groups, and tend to be very touchy about water quality, but are very good at algae control. BN plecos can be kept individually, and are a bit more hardy. I have had good luck with them for algae control as well.

There are several types of loaches that would be primarily bottom dwellers, and have amusing personality as well. You just have to research the particular varieties before deciding, as some of them get way too large for your tank (such as clown loaches).

Isabella

Unfortunately, a 6.6 gallon tank is too small for any algae eaters (in my opinion) except for - perhaps - snails. I have snails in my 10 gallon tank, and they're EXCELLENT algae eaters. I also wouldn't add anymore fish to that tank. I believe a 6.6 gallon tank is too small for fish like Guppies and Platies.

miraloma

Thanks! I'll look into a BN plecos. The instruction booklet from the AquaVista says they have put 4-6 fish in their aquariums. No snails 'cause of the eggs they might lay. However, if I just have 1 snail, there wouldn't be any eggs, right?

Isabella

I am sorry but a 6.6 gallon tank is way too small for a BN pleco, although - of course - it's up to you what you'll do. I am only saying this fish will not be happy in such a small tank and that having one BN pleco alone in this tank will make it overstocked.

As for snails, it depends on what kind of a snail you'll have. I think Apple Snails need partners to reproduce (but not sure), and Pond Snails reproduce by themselves. So, having even one Pond Snail can, in fact, result in more snails. I have Pond Snails but I don't have problems with their population because I don't overfeed my fish.

sirdarksol

As far as I know, Apple Snails and Mystery Snails both produce sexually. Lots of other snails, like Japanese Trapdoors, Malaysian Trumpets, and pond snails, produce asexually.

Yes, 6.6 is too small for guppies/platies to be happy. They prefer to be in groups, and they prefer to have swimming room. Guppies, at least, are often listed as needing 20g. They're very active little guys. As Isabella said, not telling you what you have to do, just what is best for the fish.

COBettaCouple

hmm.. that's an interesting tank there. i've not run across one of them before. the basic guideline for small tropical fish is 1" (adult size) per gallon. Your platy will get to about 2" and the guppies 1.5" each, so you're at 5" now, leaving you with 1.6" left.. really 1 fish of 1.5 to 2" would fill the bioload of the tank.

Neville

sorry to tell u, a 6.6 g would be too small for a bristlenose; u better get 2 otos.

sirdarksol

I don't think otos would be a good idea. They're very temperamental about their water quality, and this aquarium is likely to provide them a rollercoaster ride of nitrogen levels. I think they also prefer larger aquariums (probably because it provides more stable water quality).

0morrokh

Yeah I agree, anything under 10gals is too unstable for less hardy fish like Otos (and even 10 is pushing it for Otos).

miraloma

I was in the store yesterday and saw a Japanese Algae Eating Shrimp. What about that? It only grows to 1" as adults. Does the 1"/gallon also apply to shrimps?

sirdarksol

I wouldn't worry as much about shrimp. Their bioload is pretty negligible. You must have been at a Petsmart or similar store. The Japanese Algae Eating Shrimp's is also known as the Amano Shrimp. Mostly they eat hair algae, but they're also good at eating leftovers, so they do keep algae amount down in a tank.

These little guys are some of my favorite critters. Be sure to acclimate them slowly, though, as their systems can go into shock from sudden water changes.

The 1"/gallon thing is a guideline, rather than a rule. Particularly bulky fish have a higher bioload than skinny fish, so it doesn't always fit. It has been suggested by knowledgeable people on the forum that Amano and Ghost Shrimp are too small and do too much work eating uneaten food to actually have an impact on bioload.

ColoradoCary

Miraloma, what did you end up doing for an algae eater? I just got the AV 500 (love it) and am trying to figure out that out.

miraloma

Really? You love it?! I'm about one month away from returning it. I can't get the nitrogen cycle to complete. I've had it for over 2 months and the nitrite level's still dangerously high, about 1 PPM. Maybe you can give me some pointers on how to get that done. I've had anywhere between 0 to 3 fish in there at any given time (guppies and platys). After 6-7 weeks, I decided to do it fishless. Still very high nitrite level. I'm going to give it a few more weeks. If it doesn't improve, I'll be returning it. I like the way it looks but problems I have are: low bioload capacity, inconvenient water change and the pesky nitrogen cycle.

If I were to keep the AV 500, I'd probably keep 6 neon tetra or some other tiny school fish. Algae hasn't been an issue for me. I'd probably go with cherry shrimps if it becomes a problem. Any algae eater you get would grow to be too big for the tank. Some people have suggested cory's and oto's but they need to be in groups of 3 or more, which cuts down on your main/show fish #.

Please share your experience with me about your AV 500!

ColoradoCary

I've only had it set up for just under two weeks; my nitrogen level is still very high. But the two Glo-Fish I have in there seem happy regardless and are quite active. I'm going to keep putting in the "Stability" additive as well as changing about a gallon per week to see how that goes.

miraloma

I've drained my AquaVista 500 and will be returning it tomorrow. Other than the obvious issues, small capacity, prolonged nitrogen cycle, difficulty in maintenance (very narrow opening and up high on the wall), a new flaw I realized/discovered today made the decision for me. I had neon tetras in the tank. 2 died or at least I presumed 'cause I couldn't find them dead or alive. Then I realized that the under gravel water pump probably sucked up my dead fish to who knows where. They are not in the filter tray so I think they got stuck somewhere in the pump or line. I realized that I can't have dead fish rotting in the small tank and not be able to get it out. It would ruin the water quality in a heart beat and kill all the rest of the fish. I suppose I could either add more gravel to make sure there's not big gaps for the small fish to get stuck. However, the manufacturer's recommendation is to not put more gravel than what they provide. Or, I could get bigger fish. However, with such a low bio load capacity, I can only have about 3-4 2" fish, like guppy or platy. Anything smaller, like the tetras, would be problematic upon death. Somehow, that just doesn't seem worth it for all the effort and money I'd have to pour into it. That one tank cost more than my 3 other tanks combined! I think it's a great concept but just not for me. I hope it works out for other fish folk.

jsalemi

I think that tank falls into the 'seemed like a good idea at the time' category. Very pretty to look at -- totally impractical to actually use for fish. At best, it would make a nice plant-only tank.