36 Gallon Bow

So I got a new aquarium and I was a previous fresh water aquarium owner, (10g). I knew nothing about the cycle until this new set up and I didn't know until I added fish. PetSmart said one week would be enough time for the cycle and I learned the hard way after I added fish. So I was curious what your thoughts were. I've been getting between .25 to a .5 on Ammonia. NO3 was a 5 and 0 on NO2. I have 2 Cory cats and 1 algae eater, and 6 platies. All have been doing well and I have been doing 50-60% water changes using prime after. I've been trying to watch feeding as well. Thanks for feedback and I'm going to do a water change again tomorrow morning when I get home from work (night shift life)

 

Hello!

I think all of us are very glad you did some research in taking care of your fish ; pet store employees are unfortunately not very reliable when it comes to aquaria care. Sooo, your tank is not completely cycled yet, you want 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite and some nitrates. Continue doing those WC and dosing with prime to help detoxify it a bit. Have you seen any nitrites lately? How long have you been cycling?

When the tank is completely cycled, you'll want to increase the # of corycats (what kind do you have) to a proper school of at least 6 (or more depending on the type of cory you have)

Also, what kind of algae eater? I'm assuming a common pleco which will get much to large for your tank

And welcome to fishlore!!

 

Thank you for the welcome. I have 1 Albino Cory and one darker. They don't really hang out too much. I didn't know at the time I should have probably gotten more of each, but that's how it goes I guess. I figured they would run together. I've been cycling for at least 4 weeks now. The algae eater is a small guy. Looks almost like a minow or otto, but its not an otto, I know that sounds stupid but, lol. I did think about getting an Otto or two, rather then a pleco but I hadn't decided yet. I also was trying to use that one site to figure how stocking, but I'll be honest and say I couldn't figure it out. I was unsure which fish to select due to there being multiple type of the same one, and I said the heck with that one site. I'm learning as I go, but Ive been keeping the levels down some, but I know no Ammonia is good so I've been trying to be on top of it as much as I can.

 

Thank you for the welcome. I have 1 Albino Cory and one darker. They don't really hang out too much. I didn't know at the time I should have probably gotten more of each, but that's how it goes I guess. I figured they would run together. I've been cycling for at least 4 weeks now. The algae eater is a small guy. Looks almost like a minow or otto, but its not an otto, I know that sounds stupid but, lol. I did think about getting an Otto or two, rather then a pleco but I hadn't decided yet. I also was trying to use that one site to figure how stocking, but I'll be honest and say I couldn't figure it out. I was unsure which fish to select due to there being multiple type of the same one, and I said the heck with that one site. I'm learning as I go, but Ive been keeping the levels down some, but I know no Ammonia is good so I've been trying to be on top of it as much as I can.

okie, first things first, posting pice would be tremendously helpful; we could identify that other cory and the algae eater for you

1) You want a school of cories that are the same species; they will play briefly with other species, but won't properly school. There is an "exception" If your darker cory is a bronze cory, that will be fine; the albino cories are most often the albino versions of the bronze corys, and they will school together (still the same). I'm guessing it may not be the case of their behavior, but it could also be because there aren't enough of them. Also, what kind of substrate do you have? any sharp substrate can wound the cory's bellies and bring on infections

2) Ottos are actually quite sensitive fish and do best in matured tanks (so at least 4-6 months of the tank running properly and maintaining stability). There are actually plecos that would fit nicely in a 36g and don't get massive. These would be a Bristlenose Pleco and a Clown Pleco (although I do recommend the former, they tend to be hardier and often easier to find locally). So if you could snap a pic, we could determine whether you have a pleco that is suitable for your tank or not

3) And there are some stocking selections you can do; the only "issuse" is that platys breed like rabbits and they'll soon fill up the tank themselves. If you're willing to rehome the platys, you could have a really nice community tank with good activity and color if you so choose . You tank is a good size for one and there are tons of ideas.

 

I got all females so hopefully the breeding will be minimal. I need more decorations though so it's still in progress. This is of the darker cory cat and the alge eater.

Side note, the algae eater has a little man syndrome. He chases the bigger platies all the time. He doesn't back down any lol

 

- The corycat is a peppered corycat, so your corycats won't school. You'll have to pick on you want to school up and one to rehome. BUT, depending on what your temperature is, the albinos tolerate the warmer temperatures better than the peppered.

- as for the alage eater, that is a chinese algae eater. They actually aren't a good choice because they have a reputation for sucking on slime coats of fish (eventually killing them), they can be mean (as you are seeing rn), and super quick (they'll smack into fish full force without blinking lol) They get up to foot long, so rehoming him would be a very good idea. They won't eat algae for long anyhow; they turn to fish slime coats quite soon

- and general rule of thumb with females liverbearers is that if they have ever been around a male when sexually mature; they are pregnant and continue to be pregnant/drop fry for months until the sperm storage runs dry (female livebearers hold sperm for many months after one mating and can use it when they feel ready)

 

Yea I actually tried to catch him once already. Not sure I'll be able to get him. He is super fast. But I'll take care of him once I can catch him

 

Yea I actually tried to catch him once already. Not sure I'll be able to get him. He is super fast. But I'll take care of him once I can catch him

haha, I used to have 2 of them too, super fast, had to use two nets lol

 

**** I only have one. lol

 

I only have one. lol

oops, I meant it as "I used to have CAE too (I just happened to have 2 of them)" haha, internet lol

 

Is Clown loach a good fish? I'm interested in a pictus catfish too.

 

Clown loach would not be suitable; they are a schooling fish and get HUGE (look up pictures of full grown ones lol, they're magnificent )

Pictus cats, although small, like a lot of room to swim; your tank doesn't have enough length (usually at least 48", or a 55 gallon is minimum for them)

 

I used to like you but you're crushing all my dreams here lol jk

 

Ackkk I'm sorry. Haha...I seem to get that a lot...crushing dreams lol. I hope I'm not sounding mean, I'm really not and genuinely trying to help.

It's one of those things where I'd rather tell you what the optimal conditions are for fish, than have you get them and find out they don't do well because the conditions aren't right for them, or they cause problems for other fish. Especially when your just starting out, it's soooo tempting to get the coolest thing you see before researching lol (I'm guilty of it sometimes haha).

 

I have done a lot of research but not all of it all that clear depending on the person that wrote it. You have been great and I am kidding with you. My problem is I have gone to 4 different places around me that sell fish, and they are all in rough shape and I am not buying sick fish again. So even when I do buy again, I'm not sure where I will get them from. It's frustrating.

 

I have done a lot of research but not all of it all that clear depending on the person that wrote it. You have been great and I am kidding with you. My problem is I have gone to 4 different places around me that sell fish, and they are all in rough shape and I am not buying sick fish again. So even when I do buy again, I'm not sure where I will get them from. It's frustrating.

Ever try online? Lol, I know it's scary, but you can actually get some really good fish that way. Especially if you get a good seller (and feel to ask about the sites you find, or we can recommend some) it's so much of a better guarantee and health than the LPS.

Sometimes, they are a bit pricier, and some sites only do overnight shipping (which is totally worth the cost for extra extra security) but your paying a bit extra for some really good fish + the guarantee from the place your buying. If you aren't after any expensive fish, online is a good way to go

 

Yea I'd be interested for sure. I was at one place looking at their clown loaches, and they had 3 pretty small ones. 2-3" maybe. I could be wrong but they were small. In another thank they had a pretty big guy, maybe 5 or so. He was solid but, they are ich and the one was almost dead so. But yea, I would be interested.

 

Yea I'd be interested for sure. I was at one place looking at their clown loaches, and they had 3 pretty small ones. 2-3" maybe. I could be wrong but they were small. In another thank they had a pretty big guy, maybe 5 or so. He was solid but, they are ich and the one was almost dead so. But yea, I would be interested.

Ya...I really dislike the pet stores that sell these guys; they're so inappropriate for the average/beginning home aquarist whom often drift in and buy fish on the whim. And the poor things are often sick too, like you mentioned.

Some good sites (and these can vary depending on what your looking for...I do know more, but I probably can't summon them to my brain rn unless you mention a specific fish haha) :
-LiveAquaria (very broad distributor, reputable site)
- AquaticCarts (awesome site and customer service they only do overnight for livestock)
- that pet place (also broad)
-they wet spot (broadish)
- Aquabid (like the ebay for aquarium. It is more of a business type thing, so it's always worth checking rating of sellers, etc)

 

Cool. I"m not sure what I want to add now and that will get along with them. I've been trying to catch that **** algae eater but he is so **** quick. lol

 

Try draining the water about halfway (reduce drag=SPEED!!)

Plant your net in a corner, and chase him with your hand into said net. Its easier to scare them with your hand and there's no drag. I remember doing this at my LFS to catch them lol; they are quick buggers.I think they should race Michael phelps

 

lol I'll try that next time I change the water in a day or so. I just changed it 50-60% today so. Ugh..

 

lol I'll try that next time I change the water in a day or so. I just changed it 50-60% today so. Ugh..

Ohhhh ok. Ya wait....WC takes too much energy haha. Does he like veggies? Maybe you can trap him lolz.

(And thanks for the follow ).

 

I haven't tried any veggies yet. I'll try the hand trick first though. Also, you're very welcome.

 

1 fish 2 fish is a really good place to get them

minI gouriamies are my favorite

 

Ok I'll check that out too. Thanks

 

Hmmm I'll see if I can help on the stock, first things first are there any fish in your tank? If so tell me the species.

Do you have any fish in mind?

What do you want? Exotic looks? Color? Shape? Schooling? Size?

 

Hang on a few

 

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