atmmachine816

Labeo55

Butterfly. atmmachine816, thanks for the input. Have already ordered a cliffs and caves kit. Will post pic when I get it installed. Depending on how it looks I may expand on it. Will list all occupants when I learn how to add them with my postings. Platys and Swordtails are on my list of to get. Please feel free to suggest any fish!

Tony

0morrokh

Well, first I would get 2 more of the 2 kinds of tetras and the zebras. They like to be kept in shoals of 6 or more. Sorry if you already know this, maybe you just haven't gotten them yet.

Labeo55

0morrokh, thanks for the input. No need for apologies. Feel free to offer any info, I'm always willing to learn. Repetition is a good thing and opinions and experiences of others are always welcome.

Tony

RoboDude

I was going to suggest Bala Sharks untill I noticed that you had several small fish. Oh well! I think a great clean-up crew would be several Clown Loaches, and a Common Pleco! Hard workers, and fun to watch, too!

gammerus

some apple snails are nice too. they are so much fun to watch, even if they are slow

0morrokh

After increasing the shoals of the tetras and danios, maybe you could get some Otos. They are excellent algae eaters. Some loaches would add some color to the bottom.

Labeo55

I have added 2 dwarf fire gourami, 2 otos, and 1 redtail shark. Haven't had much luck with snails. the larger ones add a little something to the tank, but they keep getting eaten.
I've been checking the water chemistry closely and so far it is very good.

gammerus

what of the bamboo shrimp

0morrokh

Sorry to keep bugging you about shoals, but if you add 4+ more Otos you will see some interesting shoaling behavior. But no you don't NEED to. My first priority would be more tetras and danios...sorry I keep saying that, but you will see a lot more of them if they are in a larger group, especially the tetras.

Labeo55

Never had bamboo shrimp, any chance of fish being hurt?
I will probably increase number of tetras and zebras. What little I've read on ottos is that adding too many too soon would starve them, especially in new tank setups. Not enough algae. I've been checking water chemistry regularly, so far so good. Have been adding fish fairly quickly I think the large water volume is making a difference in keeping toxins practically non existent and using a bio-sorb pack in my filter.

RoboDude

I completely forgot about Ottos!

gammerus

I am told they dont harm the fish..in the stores they keep tons of them in a small tank with female bettas and they have last a few months. I would get some but my tank is only 10gal and I want more room for other things

atmmachine816

Yup don't be surprised if you otos die, they really shouldn't be added to a tank until the tank is VERY WELL established and at least 6 months old. You need to add at least 2 more neon's mimum 4 more black skirt tetras for sure or you will possibly shortening there lifespan, mimum of one more cory perferably three or more more and they will be a LOT more active and try to get the same type, also two more zebra danios mimum, and keep an eye on the red tail black shark because he might become aggresive to the other fish but if you have a cave on the bottom big enough for him (he will get six inches) that he can call home then he should be ok. Hope this helps and sorry if it's also repetitive but you NEED to do that to keep your fish in optimal health. You don't NEED to but you may not see happy and active fish. Also if you plan on getting more fish maybe we can help you. Good luck with your tank and sorry for all the things on what you should do.

Austin

Labeo55

I have put some of my decorations from my 55gal which is empty now into the 220gal. (rocks and plants) which has algae so I'm not too concerned about the two ottos, one reason I got only two, the other was I wanted to see if they where chased for food. I d id have a nice RTS in my 55gal but he jumped and didn't make it, this is a new one. The Shrimp sounds like a good Idea, but have not found locally any that are colorful. This is the first time I have the ability to house many fish , but I don't want to go crazy and over populate. I want it to be a friendly, diverse, and stable ecosystem.

atmmachine816

Well for it to be stable you need to add those fish so the fish are happy and don't get stressed out.

gmann21193

My bamboo shrimp have never even payed attention to my nippy lil danios. Bamboo shrimp dont have claws, they have fans they use to filter the water for food so they arent dangerous at all. and they help with filtering obviously.

sgould

Wow. That's all. Just...wow.