GBR's, stocking, and AqAdvisor

[nickhendrix007]

Hey! I was on AqAdvisor and put in 2 German Blue Rams, 6 hatchets, 6 danios (zebra), and 3 oto's. 20 gallon long, 30 gallon filtration. Will be heavily planted, orinoco style. I have 2 successful tanks that are years old community tanks, but have never done any tank with a cichlid. I know they are finicky, but I keep excellent water parameters and have done days of research on them. Anyway, AqAdvisor said this:

Your aquarium filtration capacity for above selected species is 98%.
Recommended water change schedule: 31% per week.
Your aquarium stocking level is 77%.

I feel like I am overstocked but AqAdvisor says I'm not. Any opinions on stocking, compatibility, etc? Any recommendation to do Bolivian rams instead?

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

IMO aquadvisor usually tries to keep you understocked. Your current stock sounds good to me though.

 

[nickhendrix007]

Yeah I know it stays somewhat conservative. I'm assuming 1male to 1 or more females. So say like 1 male 2 females?"

 

[Tandanus]

Hey Nick, Bolivian rams are much hardier than blue or gold rams which can become stressed by almost anything, especially loud noise. Provided you have a peaceful environment, give them a go. They are gorgeous little fish and when they're happy display the most beautiful colours.

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

One male to one female is usually good as long as they form a pair, females may fight over a male but not as bad as two males fighting.

 

[patrickriley2010]

Cichlids like high ph and usually need about 55+. Gallons if I'm
Not mistaken


Probably am but hate just my 1 cent because I'm not smart can't say my 2 cents

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

GBRs are a South American dwarf Cichlid that do best in a ph under 7.0. They can be kept in higher ph (I keep mine at about 7) Africans usually require a large tank high ph and hard water, but there are hundreds of cichlids that could be housed in a 20 gallon.

 

[nickhendrix007]

Yeah gbr's only reach 3 inches but are a handful for what I've read. So the proposed tank isn't overstocked or incompatible?

 

[Tandanus]

The inhabitants you described would be suitable together. Rams don't fair well in new tanks. You will need to run it a couple of months before adding them. They do best in a well planted tank like you described and thrive in low ph. 5.5 to 6 is ideal.

 

[nickhendrix007]

I would be using sand and a filter pad from another tank to jump start it. Add the fish in and then the rams the next week depending on water

 

[Tandanus]

That should help. Hope all goes smoothly for you