Question about creating currents

[Drayven]

So I've been poking around these forums a bit but this is my first post. Right now I'm currently cycling my first aquarium. It's a 50 gallon breeder. I'm considering putting in 3 weather loaches, a half dozen danios and 3 swordtails. Digging around these forums I've seen quite a few mentions that loaches tend to prefer a decent current in their tank but I haven't been able to find anything specifically talking about the weather loach/dojo so I'm just wondering what you would recommend for getting a decent current going. And does anyone know if those other fish will be affected negatively by a current?

Thanks for all your help

P.S. - I did use the search function but couldn't really find anything relevant

I should also add that this is my tank http://home.comcast.net/~drayven/tank.jpg and I'm using an Aquaclear 70 filter on the back.

[Emma Turner]

Hi Drayven, welcome to Loaches Online.

That's a really beautiful aquarium, but probably a little too small for weather/dojo loaches. What's the dimensions, is it a 36" x 18" x 18"? Weather loaches, even when small, really want a tank over 4ft long. What temperature were you planning on maintaining the water at? I only ask as weather loaches prefer subtropical temps, but if you were to keep the temperature in the tropical region, a shoal of dwarf chain loaches (Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki) should feel right at home there, providing you ensure there are areas of good current and the water is well oxygenated. I'm not familiar with the filtration you are using, but an external cannister would provide the best flow, and you can add a couple of powerheads to the set up to create much more water movement (make sure you protect the inlets with sponges though, so small fish are safe). Swordtails can be surprisingly boisterous, so personally I wouldn't recommend them in a community type set up. Danios would enjoy a fast current, but many species prefer subtropical temperatures, so check individual requirements before purchasing. There are several articles on creating water movement on the main site, plus a species index which should help you to research individual loach species: http://www.loaches.com/articles and http://www.loaches.com/species-index. There are quite a few other small loach species that would enjoy your set up (when more current is created), such as Schistura beavani, Aborichthys elongatus, and some of the smaller Lepidocephalichthys species such as L. hasselti, but they may prove a little harder to come by.

Hope this helps,

Emma

[Diana]

The Aquaclear 70 is a good filter, but I am using one of those plus a canister (Rena Filstar XP3) and a Hydor Koralia 4 on a 45 gallon tank. The Aquaclear is very good at removing debris, and creates a fair amount of water movment. but not enough for Loaches.
Aim for an absolute minimum of 10 times your tank volume per hour (50 gallon tank = 500 gph) and closer to 20x for some of the Loaches from faster moving streams. The Aquaclear 110 is rated at 500 gph. I am not sure if there really is that much turnover, especially when the box is full of filter media. I like these filters. they are the best HOB (Hang on Back) style, easy to clean and good at trapping the debris. Just gotta upsize them for Loaches.

Most Loaches come from rivers and streams. There may certainly be slower moving water in a few quiet corners, but basically there is more water movement than we can create in an aquarium. The more water movement you can create the better. High oxygen level is the goal.

Some Danios also come from mountain streams, others from lakes. What species are yours?

Swordtails are hard water fish, often from streams, but generally do not require as much water movement as Loaches. I would not keep them together because of the water chemistry difference. Swords also prefer warmer water than Dojo Loaches or most Danios.

[Drayven]

Thanks for the feedback. Yes the tank is 36x18x18. I was planning to keep it somewhere around 73 or so, basically room temperature.