Ideas for a 30 gallon loach tank?

[kelp]

I was thinking more along the lines of Zebras and Yo-yo's. Maybe some Kuhli Loaches, if possible? I'll definitely be overstocked according to the 1" of fish per gallon rule, but could I possibly get away with it? I really want these loaches.

4 Zebra Loaches (16")
4 Yo-yo Loaches (16")
4-5 Kuhli Loaches (16-20")

To tell you to truth, I would like 5 of each loach, but I feel like it'd be pushing it too much especially if I can't even have 4 of each.

[RMau]

Kelp,

There are 30 gallon tanks, and there are 30 gallon tanks. I have two myself. They are both about 36" x 18" x 12". But one stands on a 12" side and the other stands on an 18" side. This is important because another 'rule of thumb' in regards to how many fish to keep has to do with the amount of surface area of the tank. In this example, the surface area of my tall 30 gallon tank is 432 square inches. The surface area of the shorter one is 648 square inches. That is a difference of 216 square inches.

Many factors play into the final population of the aquarium. The 'inch per gallon' or the ROT that I mention above are guidelines. What will your filtration be? What will your maintenance schedule be? Water changes? All of these and more will factor into how many fish a particular tank will support. Generally, the more of these 'things' that you have or do, the better off your fish will be.

I have at least two filters on all of my tanks. Generally two of the next size up from the manufacturers recommendation. I change/clean/maintain them on an alternate cycle. That way I never take out all of the 'goodies' that a mature filter brings to the party. I change 25% of the tank water capacity every 7 to 10 days. We have finally learned that overfeeding is bad, just like it is for us humans. We feed 'em good, but light.

And to answer your question finally, that list of 12 loaches that you want to put in your 30 gallon would be a light load in either of my 30 gallon tanks.

Best of luck!
Rick

[brett_fishman]

zebra loaches reach around 4" (16")
yoyos reach around 6" (24")

so thats quite a bit more fish than you thought

im going to put two AC 70s on the 55..technically, one 70 would be enough, so it'd be enough filtration for a 140g tank, as per hagens recommendations...and its on a 55...but its only 600gph flow without media, so yea...i think it will work perfectly...

two filters on tanks about 29g (depending on width and depth) is a must for optimum filtration..plus, if one ever breaks down, you still have one running..

just my opinion,
brett.

[Mark in Vancouver]

That size of tank is ideal for kuhlis, sids, and possibly some other small loaches. Avoid the Botia species, as they will unavoidably need more room than you can offer.

[Tery]

Maybe its just my guys, but with the yoyos in the same tank, My straitas were hardly ever seen. My yoyos aren't just big, they're rowdy, and I wouldn't put straitas with them.

[newshound]

I was thinking more along the lines of Zebras and Yo-yo's. Maybe some Kuhli Loaches, if possible? I'll definitely be overstocked according to the 1" of fish per gallon rule, but could I possibly get away with it? I really want these loaches.

4 Zebra Loaches (16")
4 Yo-yo Loaches (16")
4-5 Kuhli Loaches (16-20")

To tell you to truth, I would like 5 of each loach, but I feel like it'd be pushing it too much especially if I can't even have 4 of each.

throw the one inch per gallon rule out the window.
a 4 inch kuhli loach will have less volume then a 4 inch yoyo.
a 7 inch horse face will have less volume then a 7 inch clown etc...
get higher numbers of a single species.
yoyos can get big.

[brett_fishman]

go with 6 zebras and 6 barbs/danios/rasboras/tetras haha

by that, i mean any dither that is smaller than 2" long...gouramis dont like the flow loaches need...so..no

-brett.