Help me with my new tank!

[Madratlady]

I currently have a 125 litre tank, it's been a learning curve - we did a fishless cycle, stocked it (possible a little too fast) and on some bad advice from the person at the fish shop added some yoyo loaches, one of which brought a fungal infection that killed a bunch of fish. That was a few months ago and we've not had any further problems apart from the loaches bullying the corys. We currently have 6 guppies, 16 neon tetra, 4 sterbai cores, 4 yoyo loaches, a bristlenose plec and a clown plec. I think adding the loaches was a mistake and moved us from ok to over stocked.

I've managed to get a bargain juwel rio 240 second hand and I'd like to do a better job of the new tank. We'll be cycling it first so adding no fish for a while.

• Will the loaches and corys be happier with more space or should I rehome one lot? I also now know they should be kept in larger groups and I think they need more hiding places than we have in the current tank.
  

• I'd like another few guppies, is there an 'ideal' shoal size?
  

• Could I also have a group of something else? I'm thinking maybe rummy nosed tetra or cherry barbs.
  

• is sand or gravel best?

[EauRouge]

Ooh, I love setting up new tanks

For corys/loaches, I'd go with sand substrate, it'll be easier on their barbels. I find it easier to clean than gravel because all the crap just rests on top.

Since you've got the two plecs, I would rehome either the corys or loaches and build up the shoal number of the remaining fish. 6+ is ideal. Then you won't be overcrowded with too many species at the bottom.

I'd also probably add a couple of caves for the plecs, one each end so they have their own space.

There's no 'ideal' shoal size really, just more than 6 ish. Then any aggression can be shared out evenly. The more you have, the better but don't overstock and end up with water quality problems. And all males unless you want 3 million by the end of the year.

Don't forget to quarantine so you don't end up with more new diseases coming in. You don't need to have a tank for this, a lot of people just use a plastic box, but you will need a mature filter.

16 neons! I bet they are fun to watch. Have they had any babies?

[Madratlady]

Thanks :) I am going to rehome the loaches because I really like the corys. I'll make sure there are plenty of hiding spots for the plecs.

No baby neons but the assassin snails laid eggs and at last count I saw 50+ babies which I imagine was nowhere near all of them!

[EauRouge]

Are you going to sell them? I've seen them for £3 each in the shops, you could easily undercut them by a third and still make a fair bit of pocket money.

[Madratlady]

Yeah I posted them on a local fishkeeping Facebook page. Lots of fishy enthusiasts so they should find a nice home.

[Madratlady]

Loaches have gone to a new home. All of my other fish are much happier!

We have the new tank, filter and heater, now to get it cleaned and set up and start a fishless cycle.