Ideas And Upkeep For Someone Fairly New To The Hobby

Hello,
Although this isn't my first time as a fish keeping enthusiast I am still fairly new to the hobby. I am familiar with nitrogen cycle and all that jazz. However, I would still like to expand my knowledge and maybe pick up some new ideas for my tank as well.

Currently working with a 30 gallon tank with 2 aqua clear 20 filters. I am about 4 weeks in after re setting up my tank.

Stock: 1 opaline gourami
4 platys
1 pleco
2 guppies (female just gave birth to 3 baby guppies)
1 small rope fish
1 neon tetra (other 3 died week 2)
1 red tail shark
10 ghost shrimp
Also have 1 size able Amazon sword plant that is thriving along with one that is replanted (found 2 MTS and a couple of pond snails as well.

I guess my question is how do I continue to maintain these fish/ add new ones that would compliment the tank/ or any other useful information that could improve the tank.

Unfortunately this site won't let me upload iPhone pictures on the thread because they are "too big"

 

First question most will ask is that what kind of pleco do you have?

Another is that red tail shark might get aggressive to the other fish and it will eventually outgrow the tank. Likely you'll need to rehome this fish.

 

I will help out with things I know, others will probably help out also.

#1 Neon tetras do best in schools of at least six.
#2 If it's a normal Pleco consider changing it for a Bristlenose pleco, your tank is not big enough for a normal Pleco.
#3 Red tail shark will enjoy a well planted tank with caves or driftwood for shelter. The tank should have a tight fitting lid because this freshwater tropical fish species is known to jump out of tanks. This Fish will reach 6 inch in length and is known to be aggressive, so you may have issues with the smaller fish. Although some people report that their Red Tail is friendly to smaller fish.

 

The red tail shark is one of the smallest in the tank right now so he has not been very aggressive at all yet, but I'm sure he will grow. Pleco is common, but also very small at this point.

 

The red tail shark is one of the smallest in the tank right now so he has not been very aggressive at all yet, but I'm sure he will grow. Pleco is common, but also very small at this point.

If your willing to re-home them when needed then you will be fine until they grow, however most people get attached to their fish, and will delay re-homing at the expense of the fish. Also be aware that as common Pleco get bigger they need a lot more feeding and will produce a lot more waste. I find most common Pleco as they mature are pretty much useless as an algae eater.

 

That common pleco will grow quite big. I would rehome it, what will happen, like kids they grow before you even know it.

IMO I don't think a pleco of any kind should be in a 30 gallon tank. The huge bioload that they create can cause havoc if not maintained properly. The filtration, while you have two I just don't think it's enough to carry the output that the fish will have.

 

thanks for your advice Yves. Does anyone know how to make iphone pictures compatible with the site. It says my s are too big everytime

 

You should be able to load it from your iphone. I didn't have any problems loading mine from my iphone to the app.

Perhaps you should try editing it by cropping it down from the photo app. Perhaps that might help a little.

 

DBP

• WeeBay
• Jul 25, 2017

 

I can't help but notice your gravel, you should try to keep it to 1 1/2 to 2 inch deep, this will help to prevent food particles and fish poop from getting to deep and out of reach of your gravel vacuum. although looks can be deceiving how deep is your gravel on the front right of the tank? Nice looking tank .

 

thank you. its just a tiny bit more than two inches all around when I first laid it. Decorations and gravel vac has probably distorted it some but it doesn't really go below that black outlining you see at the bottom. I read somewhere that I should not be gravel vacuuming anywhere near my amazon swords or not at all so they have plenty of fertilizer and so not to disturb the roots.

 

It gets tricky with plants...best thing to do is just hover over it to get any particles or poo from the top of the leaves or in the middle.

 

do you think the rope fish will eventually become a problem with outgrowing the tank as well?

 

Rope Fish max out at about 8-12 inch and tank recommendation is a 55gallon, however their diet is somewhat needy. The Rope Fish is a carnivorous fish that requires live food in its diet. Chopped meats, , insect larva, as well as and earthworms may also be included in the Rope Fish diet. Sounds to me like you need a bigger tank :>

 

Too bad I'm broke hahah. Have bloodworms already, but I'm just going to have to make it work. When I bought him from the store they said it was the smallest rope fish they have ever sold so maybe it will work out. Thanks for the help fellas