new tank

Byron

You can read about the fishes' requirements like minimum tank size, minimum number in the group (Clown Loach are shoaling fish that need a group of 5 or more), behaviour issues and other data in our profiles. Profiles are under the second tab from the left in the blue bar across the top of the page; if the name is used the same in posts as in the profile, it will shade as Clown Loach did, and this forms a link to the profile; click the shaded name.

On the ammonia and cycling issue, i agree with others that daily water changes should continue until ammonia is zero (and nitrite remains zero too). Using a conditioner that detoxifies ammonia and nitrite during this phase is a good idea. Seachem's Prime and Aquarium Solutions' Ultimate both do this. After the cycle is well established, you can go back to your present conditioner at water changes which then should be every week, changing 1/3 to 1/2 the tank.

And, welcome to Tropical Fish Keeping forum. Glad to have you join us.

Byron.

ally1

I have a 52 gallon tank I have
six Lemon Tetra
seven Neon Tetra
four Harlequin Rasbora
three male guppies
two rainbow sharks
two Clown Loach
I would like a Blue Ram, two denison barb, and a dwarf algae eater would this work or has anybody got any other ideas. would this overcrowd my tank?

GwenInNM

Clown loaches get huge, and need to be in a larger group, ideally 5. So one day you would have to re-home them, in my opinion. A Bristlenose Pleco would be a good algae eater. I don't know anything about the denison barb. I would read about them, in the "Tropical Fish Profiles" above. I think one Blue Ram would be nice, but see what others say about the compatibility of these fish.

Gwen

fish monger

Unfortunately, according to the fish profiles provided here, it looks like the dwarf algae eater would be the only member of your wish list that might work out. The blue rams require temperatures at the high end 80-82 F, while the denisons do best at or below 77 F. Both fish can apparently be a challenge to keep in top form. The denisons can get up to six inches long and do best in groups of 8 or more. This is all based on the profiles. I'm sure our members with experience with these fish have more info. On a side note, the clown loaches can get quite large and the sharks don't often get along with each other. I'd plan on re-homing the clowns and one of the sharks at some point. The good news is that a lot of capacity will be freed up in your tank. The fish profiles on this site are excellent. Researching there before obtaining fish can save a lot of stress for you and disaster for your pets. I speak from experience here. Best of luck !

GwenInNM

Forgot about temps Fishmonger. You're right Rams do need high temps, which limits fish you can have.

Byron

I came across a second thread on the same topic, so I have merged it into the older thread. Now all members will see what others have posted and we'll be on the same page.

ally1

rehomed one of the sharks today and someone else is taking the other, think i have to rehome the Clown Loach too and then i need to do a bit of homework before i buy any more, just realized that i cannot just go into the pet shop and buy a fish because i like the look of it. I need to find out if they are compatible first, so thanks for the information and the ideas and I will learn from my mistakes.

Byron

This is what we like to hear. We've all been there, sadly. Don't forget our profiles.

Byron.

fish monger

We've all made the same mistakes and I, for one, still have to struggle with myself to keep from repeating them. It sounds like you are on the right track. You're going to be a fine aquarist.

ally1

hi there been two weeks since my last post fish been re-homed, not lost anymore fish for the past two weeks but the ammonia is still there, went to the pet shop today, the assistant wanted to give me some chemical to take away the ammonia but I said no I would prefer to wait, the fish that I have left are all happily swimming around and feeding so I think I did the right thing and said I will wait, keeping up with the water changes and hopefully things will improve, would love to buy some fish but I will be good and wait.