Your current Fish tank Setups!

[wesimmo]

What's the ideal tank size for 2 or 3 Platties?

Dunno how accurate this is, I'm no expert but seems in line with other places I've read about stocking and tank size

How Many Platies in a 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 55 Gallon Tank? | Fish Parlor

It is recommended to keep a group of at least 3 to 6 platies together. Stock 3 platies in a 5-gallon tank, 6 in a 10-gallon tank, 12 in 20 gallons, 21 in 30 gallons, and 27 in 40 gallons. Maintain a ratio of 2 female platyfish to 1 male at all times to reduce stress on the females.

fishparlor.com

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Dunno how accurate this is, I'm no expert but seems in line with other places I've read about stocking and tank size

How Many Platies in a 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 55 Gallon Tank? | Fish Parlor

It is recommended to keep a group of at least 3 to 6 platies together. Stock 3 platies in a 5-gallon tank, 6 in a 10-gallon tank, 12 in 20 gallons, 21 in 30 gallons, and 27 in 40 gallons. Maintain a ratio of 2 female platyfish to 1 male at all times to reduce stress on the females.

fishparlor.com

Ideal, thanks. Oh, and I think I'll go for a group of males

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Update: it's got exciting!

We've bought a little 25L tank for her room and it's been set up with substrate, an ornament and filled with water. Pump/filter has been running overnight and it's not too noisy.

A couple of questions:

If I leave the water running through the filter for a few days will I still need the additive for removing chlorine etc? I'm sure I read previously that the chemicals dissipate themselves over a short period of time?

What's the best product for setting up the correct biosphere in there prior to introducing any fish?

 

[Vidar]

Update: it's got exciting!

We've bought a little 25L tank for her room and it's been set up with substrate, an ornament and filled with water. Pump/filter has been running overnight and it's not too noisy.

A couple of questions:

If I leave the water running through the filter for a few days will I still need the additive for removing chlorine etc? I'm sure I read previously that the chemicals dissipate themselves over a short period of time?

What's the best product for setting up the correct biosphere in there prior to introducing any fish?

I'd still use dechlorinator as you're looking to establish good bacteria

 

[Dirk Diggler]

I'd still use dechlorinator as you're looking to establish good bacteria

Cool.

I've ordered the Tap Safe and Weekly Cleaner.

Is the below product the correct one to use for kick starting the tank:

Interpet Fast Filter Start Treatment, to Boost Aquarium Bio Filtration, 125 ml

Also, I'll need to monitor the ammonium levels with something like this?

API AMMONIA TEST STRIPS Freshwater and Saltwater Aquarium Water Test Strips 25-Test Box

Text in yellow is description from the "usual" place.

 

[Surveyor]

Cool.

I've ordered the Tap Safe and Weekly Cleaner.

Is the below product the correct one to use for kick starting the tank:

Interpet Fast Filter Start Treatment, to Boost Aquarium Bio Filtration, 125 ml

Also, I'll need to monitor the ammonium levels with something like this?

API AMMONIA TEST STRIPS Freshwater and Saltwater Aquarium Water Test Strips 25-Test Box

Text in yellow is description from the "usual" place.

The last time I looked OcUK don't sell aquarium products so you can say Amazon in that context and even link to the items.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

The last time I looked OcUK don't sell aquarium products so you can say Amazon in that context and even link to the items.

I've had a nibble from the mods before in similar circumstances.

 

[Surveyor]

I've had a nibble from the mods before in similar circumstances.

Here's a moderator saying what I said:

You can say Amazon because OcUK don't sell electric blankets.

In fact, not only can you say Amazon, you can link to the electric blanket you bought if you want.

 

[Feek]

I've had a nibble from the mods before in similar circumstances.

Not really similar, when you're talking about an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X Processor, it's not a good idea to mention competitors because CPUs are a core product at OcUK whereas they don't sell aquarium stuff.

 

[UTmaniac]

What's the ideal tank size for 2 or 3 Platties?

I don't pop my head in this thread often, but a 25l tank for adult Platties, that typically reach approx 5-7.5cm SL (so mouth to start of tail fin) and are quite active fish is horribly inadequate.

https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/xiphophorus-maculatus/ (used to be a reputable reference site when I started fishkeeping in 2010, rarely pop my head in there these days) suggests a minimum of 60x30x30cm.

Personally, I'd say 90x30x30cm, the longer the better as they will use as much horizontal space as you can offer them.

In addition, small volume tanks will rapidly become deadly toxic soups, if you end up with ammonia/nitrite spikes due to excessive feeding and/or insufficient bacteria numbers to deal with the fish waste.

I'd also say that 2-3 Platties risks at least one being bullied to death. Many social fish, including Platties, become anti-social in low numbers. 6-12 in a bacterially stable 90x30x30cm would be absolutely fine for fish stocking levels above the tank floor.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

I don't pop my head in this thread often, but a 25l tank for adult Platties, that typically reach approx 5-7.5cm SL (so mouth to start of tail fin) and are quite active fish is horribly inadequate.

https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/xiphophorus-maculatus/ (used to be a reputable reference site when I started fishkeeping in 2010, rarely pop my head in there these days) suggests a minimum of 60x30x30cm.

Personally, I'd say 90x30x30cm, the longer the better as they will use as much horizontal space as you can offer them.

In addition, small volume tanks will rapidly become deadly toxic soups, if you end up with ammonia/nitrite spikes due to excessive feeding and/or insufficient bacteria numbers to deal with the fish waste.

I'd also say that 2-3 Platties risks at least one being bullied to death. Many social fish, including Platties, become anti-social in low numbers. 6-12 in a bacterially stable 90x30x30cm would be absolutely fine for fish stocking levels above the tank floor.

The size of the tank is 25L therefore we will probably have to settle for a single fish in there.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Not really similar, when you're talking about an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X Processor, it's not a good idea to mention competitors because CPUs are a core product at OcUK whereas they don't sell aquarium stuff.

Not the circumstance I was referring to, but point taken so thanks.

 

[b0rn2sk8]

The size of the tank is 25L therefore we will probably have to settle for a single fish in there.

Either a betta or some shrimp, that's pretty much the go to for a tiny tank.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Either a betta or some shrimp, that's pretty much the go to for a tiny tank.

OK, and I assume if I go for a Betta then it would have to be just the one?

 

[b0rn2sk8]

Yes, you can only have 1 betta and it's plenty for a 25L tank

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Yes, you can only have 1 betta and it's plenty for a 25L tank

Cool.

I've just put the dechlorinate solution in tonight, so I'll try to get the cycle going tomorrow and see how I go.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

A question regarding surface agitation - the "duck bill" outlet on the top of the filter sits around 10mm under the surface and the surface moves (I would say "vigorously") but there are no actual air bubbles. Is that enough for aeration?

 

[b0rn2sk8]

Yes, just need a ripple.

The oxygen exchange happens at the surface and you are not looking for air bubbles.

 

[Spook187]

New build stuff coming in now.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

My tank has been cycling for a week now but no sign of nitrates or nitrites on the test strips.

Should I be adding a pinch of food daily or every couple of days?