30+ CL's for a 180g????

[Cliff.W.]

Whats Up MFK's!

I am going clown loach CRAZY!!! I want to do 30+ Clowns all 3" to 4" approx. in my 180g. So my Stock would be like this....

1 x Arowana
2 x Blood Parrots
1 x Flagtail
and.....
30+ x Clown Loaches!!!! =D

And for filtration I've got.....

2 x AC110
1 x Fluval 404



I'm willing to do 2 x 30% WC / week. to keep nitrates low and make this happen.

Just want to know what you other clown loach owners think.

 

[aclockworkorange]

Not enough filtration... Add an FX5 on top of that, and throw on some sponge filters for good measure, you could do it.

 

[Cliff.W.]

Not enough filtration... Add an FX5 on top of that, and throw on some sponge filters for good measure, you could do it.

I've got all sponge in all my filters with ceramic noodles. The ac 110s clean the water very nicely. Crystal clear water. I have 17 loches now and nitrates under 20 with 2 x 20% wc per week right now. Adding some more cl's I would do 2 x 30% wc per week. The turn over right now is 1000(2xac110) + 700(approx for fluval 404). 1700 so almost tens times turn over rate is more than enough no??

 

[MadRussian79]

Short term yes. Long term no.
You would have 33 1 foot fish plus a 4 footer.

Assuming you have enough filtration to keep ammonia and nitrites at zero your nitrates will become untenable. Going way past 2 30% changes per week. Though clown loches are slow growers so it'll work for a while.

 

[aclockworkorange]

I've got all sponge in all my filters with ceramic noodles. The ac 110s clean the water very nicely. Crystal clear water. I have 17 loches now and nitrates under 20 with 2 x 20% wc per week right now. Adding some more cl's I would do 2 x 30% wc per week. The turn over right now is 1000(2xac110) + 700(approx for fluval 404). 1700 so almost tens times turn over rate is more than enough no??

I keep my nitrates under 10... And I do 50% water changes. I would not be concerned about turnover or mechanical filtration as much as I would bioload and bio filtration... those filters just don't have the capacity to handle that much bioload of larger loaches in that number IMO....

Read my article on sponge filters for some easy extra bio filtration if you don't want to shell out the $ for another canister:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=357979

 

[JakeH]

I think your current filtration will work for awhile, but eventually you will need a stronger canister or a sump. Your nitrates aren't gonna go up or down just by changing the filtration, but if you see ammonia or nitrite, then you need more biofiltration. Assuming you have adequate biomedia, the amount of nitrate you see is only affected by your stock, feeding and WC routine. That said, go ahead & get your additional CL's, but be sure to QUARANTINE AND DE-WORM them before you introduce them to your prized Aro. Also, be ready to upgrade/add a canister in the near future. Sponges are great & cheap, BTW...

 

[Chromobotia]

I personally think that is too many Clowns for a 180 but that doesn't mean it can't be done. I currently have 10 3-6 inchers in a 150. I know your tank is slighlty bigger, but I can't imagine having 20 more in my tank. To each his own, I guess.

 

[vr6fan]

Short term yes. Long term no.
You would have 33 1 foot fish plus a 4 footer.

Assuming you have enough filtration to keep ammonia and nitrites at zero your nitrates will become untenable. Going way past 2 30% changes per week. Though clown loches are slow growers so it'll work for a while.

those loaches will take YEARS AND YEARS to get that big..trust me bud ive had them for years they grow sloooooooow. thats a bit too many loaches with your current setup but it will work..id stick to what you have

 

[JD_MAN]

I have 30-40 some clown loaches with a black aro and a couple other random cats and plecs in a 220. I have a DIY 55 gallon sump doing the filtration and do water changes once every 2 weeks. Most of my clowns are between 5-10" and the aro is just over a foot long.

I've never checked my levels since I started fish keeping over 20 years ago and have never had any problems. It seems to work for me, but doesn't work for everyone.

I would eventually get more filtration, but it should be fine for a couple of years.

 

[Cliff.W.]

Thanks for all the support guys! I see that people here on Loach thread are more helpful and dont criticize as much as the people in the arowana thread. Every reply here has helpful hints and tips. Thanks for your input guys!

Now... Here is my tank below. The loaches are all tucked in sleeping so you dont see any of my loaches out and about. I think I still have a lot of free space in my tank for soem more loaches and Yes they take FOREVER to grow to 1feet length (maybe 7 years?) by that time I should have bought a house and build a massive 10feet tank in my basement =D (or some tank of that sort of size >=P) and I'll move all my loaches over. I just love seeing my loaches in the morning swimming up and down, side to side. Soo entertaining.... I know a sump would definately be best for filtration but thats not possible right now for me. But I've seen a lot of people tanks with soo many fish they almost rub shoulders with each other and yet all the fish are still healthy and active.