Good Gravel Sifter for Planted 75 Community?

[cmsbthebest]

Hey everyone,

A few months back I set up a 75 gallon planted community tank.

I've been having a bit of issue with some excess food lingering on the bottom to rot, because I have no bottom feeder fish in the tank. I know, I know, I can just vacuum it out, but figured I'd see if anyone had any suggestions for good bottom feeders that work well with my stock before starting to go that route. I've continued to feed less and less to try and prevent it, but there is always some left at the end.

I'm trying to find that right balance, of fish, plants and food, and I'm hoping adding a bottom feeder will help with that.

In my 125, I have Geophagus that do a great job of sifting the sand and making sure nothing gets left behind, but with gravel and my current stock in the 75, Geo's are a no go.

Current stock (eventual numbers in parenthesis)

20 x Rummynose Tetra (20)
6 x Cardinal Tetra (30)
1 x Angelfish (1)
7 x Otocinclus (7)
0 x Redneck Macmasteri Apistogramma (2)
2 x Bolivian Rams (2)

Filtration is an FX4, Light is Fluval planted 3.0, Generally feed NLS Optimum flakes.

 

[Fishnerd360]

Cories may probably work, eating any uneaten.

 

[Rocksor]

As long as there is food on the bottom, then it means that you are still feeding way too much food and too often. They never get a chance to feel hungry to search around the tank for more food. Fish will pick at the bottom if they are not always full.

 

[fishguy1978]

Cutting back on feeding will help as already mentioned.
For bottom feeders:
1. Any cory cats that are not temperate species since the current stock prefer higher temps
2. Bumble bee catfish, stays small
3. Hoplo cat
4. Rabbit snails

 

[cmsbthebest]

As long as there is food on the bottom, then it means that you are still feeding way too much food and too often. They never get a chance to feel hungry to search around the tank for more food. Fish will pick at the bottom if they are not always full.

Right, as I stated I'm working on cutting down on food and I know that excess feeding is causing it. Figured it wouldn't hurt to see if anyone had some interesting suggestions for bottom feeders that could possibly give me some more leeway.

 

[cmsbthebest]

Cutting back on feeding will help as already mentioned.
For bottom feeders:
1. Any cory cats that are not temperate species since the current stock prefer higher temps
2. Bumble bee catfish, stays small
3. Hoplo cat
4. Rabbit snails

I think I'm going to go with Cory's. I've been thinking a lot about getting some recently. Now just to pick a species....

 

[Deadeye]

Crayfish are also good. They don’t leave a lot of waste but is the best freshwater cleaner I have. They try to catch fish but are only successful if the prey is sick or dying, any healthy fish can easily get away.

 

[cmsbthebest]

Crayfish are also good. They don’t leave a lot of waste but is the best freshwater cleaner I have. They try to catch fish but are only successful if the prey is sick or dying, any healthy fish can easily get away.

Not a fan of crayfish lol. But no hate to those who love keeping them!


You know its funny, even though my job involves dealing with crayfish frequently, I still absolutely hate even just the sight of them ???

 

[Deadeye]

Yeah, I understand.
In that case cories are the best bet.

 

[Rocksor]

Right, as I stated I'm working on cutting down on food and I know that excess feeding is causing it. Figured it wouldn't hurt to see if anyone had some interesting suggestions for bottom feeders that could possibly give me some more leeway.

What ever eats the left over bottom food, is not really even giving you leeway because it comes out the other side.