nilz

I got a black skirt tetra, 2 zebra loaches, a neon 2 cardinal 3 plattys and 2 rainbows (1 which i am selling as they seemed to not get along) i was thinking of adding a bala shark which i really like however will it be suitable to add one?!

Halibut

Welcome to Fishlore!!!
What size is your tank? Bala's get to be about 14" long so at min you should have a 55G and thats if you have just the sharks basically( I think more than 1 is better but not sure). IN your aqarium info it states you know about the cycle but have question marks for all the important water parameters I would suggest an API master test kit ASAP. This kit can mean the difference between lossing or saving fish in the event of an ammonia or nitrite spike.

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore.

I wouldn't recommend a Bala with those fish.

nilz

thanks, i have got a roughly 23.37UK gallon fishtank, do i still need to use the nitrate test kit even though i use king british safe water to convert nitrete into nitrate weekly? also do the plants absorb the nitrate naturally or do i need to keep the light on or something? thanks

Neville

You don't have to keep the lights on all the time, if u do you'll have algae problem, 8-12 hrs is enough.
bala shark would be too big for a 30g.

SereneReyn

just wanted to add that some of your fish are schooling fish that like more of their own kind. i'd suggest going with more of those, rather than introduce any new species - particularly balas.

nilz

i wanted to ask which of my fishes are schooling ones? thanks

susitna-flower

HI NILZ, WELCOME TO FISHLORE!

The loaches, and all the different tetras you currently have would be happier in a school of their own kind.

If the rainbows don't get along, it would have to be that the tank you have is too small for what you are trying to keep.

The stocking "rule of thumb", is 1" of adult fish per gallon. You count all the fish AS IF they were adult size, so you don't get in an overcrowded condition.

As for testing water. It is highly recommended to test your water each week with the API Master test kit (liquid), before water change time, other wise you won't know how much to change out, or if you have to up your change schedule. Any ammonia or nitrite spikes will be detected, and nitrates won't creep up without your knowing.

I agree balas are NOT suited to your tank. They are also a "schooling" fish and you should have 3 of them, these need a tank at least 72" long when grown, which is about 125 gallon tank, bare minimum.

nilz

Thanks!