1st occupants - SAE, Yamato or pleco ?

[eagleray]

Just setup my low tech planted tank today. Will probably wait till day3 or day 4 to add its first occupants. (is it too early?)

Was thinking of adding one or 2 of the following

1. SAE
Can SAE survive solo? Heard that they need to be in groups of at least 3 ?
My tank is very small (21L - 50cm x 16 cm x 25cm). Cannot accomodate too many SAE on the long run. Saw some small ones (1in) at NA. How fast do they grow

2. pelco
Saw some albino or it is orange/pink looking ones. Sorry, not sure that is the name. Are they also social ? can the survive solo or in pairs?

3. what about yamato or red shrimps
5 of them for my tank size too much? which is more hardy

Are the above generally hardy to be used in initial tank cycling?

Thanks

[vinz]

1. Growth rate depends on much you feed them. 3 should be ok, and they are hardy. Feed sparingly in the first few days. Too much and they'll be too much waste. If you don't feed, they'll munch on some plants like moss. (Actually, same for shrimp too.)

2. Not all Pelcos are suitable for planted tanks. Some will eat or damage your plants. And most get pretty large and produce too much waste for a low tech tank. I wouldn't recommend it for a planted tank, unless you do your research to find a small one that will not damage the plants.

3. Yamato shrimps... some people have problems keeping them alive in a mature tank, but they are often used as the first fauna into a new planted tank. If your tank is densly planted, it should be ok. The other shrimps, I won't try for a new tank.

[RODGERHONG]

I HAVE 2 SAE IN MY 3 FEET TANK. SO FAR THEY ARE LIVING HAPPILY...

AS FOR SHRIMPS, I FIND YAMATO ARE MORE HARDY THAN CHERRY SHRIMP. FYI.. I HAVE SPEND MORE THAN $100 ON SHRIMPS AND NOW ONLY ABT 20 CHERRY SHRIMPS LEFT. AND STILL HAVING CASUALTIES...



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1. SAE
Can SAE survive solo? Heard that they need to be in groups of at least 3 ?
My tank is very small (21L - 50cm x 16 cm x 25cm). Cannot accomodate too many SAE on the long run. Saw some small ones (1in) at NA. How fast do they grow

3. what about yamato or red shrimps
5 of them for my tank size too much? which is more hardy

Are the above generally hardy to be used in initial tank cycling

[ms]

I think it would be too soon for you to add in fishes, since you do not know the aging cycle of your tank and the water condition.

Insead of these more 'expensive' fishes, I would suggest that you get a pack of common platy for about $2.00 and let them condition the tank. The hardier ones will survive, but you can expect casulties.

After you have the tank running for about 1 or 2 months, then you may consider the fish family that you want to have.

MS

[taz_boy]

i think 2 SAEs will be just nice for ur tank....

if only 1, the SAE may not be that active as i notice.
if there are 2, things will be diff, they'll chase and play along with each other,
sometimes u get to see them do syncronised swimming too.....

take note that SAE can grow up to rather big sizw, almost 2-3 inch....
so my suggestion is "2"

[vinz]

I think it would be too soon for you to add in fishes, since you do not know the aging cycle of your tank and the water condition.

Insead of these more 'expensive' fishes, I would suggest that you get a pack of common platy for about $2.00 and let them condition the tank. The hardier ones will survive, but you can expect casulties.

After you have the tank running for about 1 or 2 months, then you may consider the fish family that you want to have.

MS

The trick is not to put in a lot of fishes at a go. Add a few fishes after the first one or two weeks. The week after you can add more fishes. The week after even more. Add the largest group of fishes last.

Anyway, cycling is not so problematic if your plants are healthy as they will take up some of the ammonia.

[andrewtyr]

Insead of these more 'expensive' fishes, I would suggest that you get a pack of common platy for about $2.00 and let them condition the tank. The hardier ones will survive, but you can expect casulties.

MS

I wouldn't recommend feeders,primarily we are not sure what parasites or disease they carry. SAEs are fast swimmers and in densely planted, it will be very hard to extract them.

[yinghao]

hi i've read about how you guys leave a new tank running for some time before adding fishes. anyway i just started my 2 ft densely planted tank 2 months ago. on the first day when i introduced the substrate, gravel and plants.. i also added in 6 neon tetras, 15 malayan shrimps and 2 SAEs even though the water was still murky due to the gravel. on the 3rd day, i went on to get another 5 tetras, a couple of angelfishes and a pufferfish. by the end of the 2nd week, i had a total of 20 tetras, 2 angelfishes, 2 swordtails, 1 pufferfish, 120 malayan shrimps, 5 rasboras, 2 SAEs and 2 pelcos. the only casualties i had were 1 neon tetra and 2 rasboras.. and i think about 10-20 shrimps which i've seen getting eaten up by the angels and puffer.
anyway what i'm trying to say is i managed to introduce all the plants and fishes at once without any problems.. and algae didn't surface until a month later when i noticed small green spots on the glass of my tank..
oh yes and i forgot to add.. the water in my tank is not from the tap.. i took it from an outdoor pond..

[Goondoo]

hi i've read about how you guys leave a new tank running for some time before adding fishes. anyway i just started my 2 ft densely planted tank 2 months ago. on the first day when i introduced the substrate, gravel and plants.. i also added in 6 neon tetras, 15 malayan shrimps and 2 SAEs even though the water was still murky due to the gravel. on the 3rd day, i went on to get another 5 tetras, a couple of angelfishes and a pufferfish. by the end of the 2nd week, i had a total of 20 tetras, 2 angelfishes, 2 swordtails, 1 pufferfish, 120 malayan shrimps, 5 rasboras, 2 SAEs and 2 pelcos. the only casualties i had were 1 neon tetra and 2 rasboras.. and i think about 10-20 shrimps which i've seen getting eaten up by the angels and puffer.
anyway what i'm trying to say is i managed to introduce all the plants and fishes at once without any problems.. and algae didn't surface until a month later when i noticed small green spots on the glass of my tank..
oh yes and i forgot to add.. the water in my tank is not from the tap.. i took it from an outdoor pond..

kiam pa....

[yinghao]

?? *

[Simon]

kiam pa....

billy, it is not very polite to say that, at least explain yourself

Yinghao

conditions varies from tank to tank. The sudden build up/introduction of fishes with throw the parameters off the scale. Thats when algae comes into play. Also not wise to use water from your pond, nitrate/ammonia might be built up in the pond.

[yinghao]

hmm ok.. i've not kept track of any parameters or anything cos i dont really know how they work. all the various test kits and stuff looked were too confusing for me. basically i used pond water as it does not contain chlorine and its stable with all the useful bacteria and stuff.. IMO. the pond has a effective filtration system so the water is quite clear.

anyway for my 2ft tank, i'm using the cheapest substrate i can find, the common sand for my gravel, a 55W pl light, a small internal filter with just a piece of black sponge as its media, and JBL CO2 system. i do about 30% water change every 10+ days and add a small doseage of antichlorine with the water. will appreciate any comments on my setup

[Simon]

Yinghao, please start another thread. Its easier for members to help you