Loaches Online Forum

Hi every body I'm new here and looking for a little advice.I have a 120x40x40cm 192 ltr tank that I would like to set up for hill stream loaches.
Is this size suitable?I intend to use the manifold flow system with with two powerheads and a fluval 404 external filter.What sort of turnover rate should I be looking for and what would the most suitable tankmates for hillstream loaches be?

Hi albetton, welcome to Loaches Online!

I'm actually new here too and no loach expert, but that tank size seems fine to me, and the dimensions sound great for a hillstream tank. From what I've read, turnover should be at least 12 times per hour and preferably a bit more. As for tank mates, Cloud Mountain Minnows are usually recommended. I've got 10 and they do fine with the current, although they aren't the most interesting fish I've kept to be honest! In my tank I have a turnover rate of 13.9 and have got a few guppies that don't seem to mind the current at all. So for tank mates I'd consider Cloud Minnows, Guppies, and also Danios are sometimes recommended.

For hillstreams I have set up 20x the tank volume per hour, a combination from the filter (intake at the west end, outlet at the east end of the tank) and a powerhead with the plumbing under the substrate. With your large tank you could set up 2 power heads as well as the filter to try to get a really strong flow through the main area.