Questions regarding L46

[benjamin]

Hi bros. Thinking of starting a tank for L46. How many pairs can be kept in a 2X1X1 tank? If it's a 3X1.5X1.5 how many pairs more can be kept? How many inches then considered breeding adult? Will they work better if kept I'm separate pairs or together as a colony? Thanks.

[Storm]

I think they do better in a colony then pair. As you never will really know who will paired or not. Better to get a colony and let them choose and do their own pairing.

[Champ-BKK]

For 2 x 1 x 1 consider 1 pair or Trio
3 x 1.5 x 1.5 can be 3 pairs upto your filter
Female 3"
Male 3.5 "

:D

[benjamin]

For 2 x 1 x 1 consider 1 pair or Trio
3 x 1.5 x 1.5 can be 3 pairs upto your filter
Female 3"
Male 3.5 "

:D

I think they do better in a colony then pair. As you never will really know who will paired or not. Better to get a colony and let them choose and do their own pairing.

ahh, then from 2.5", how long will it take for them to reach breeding size? 46 really damm tempting. shops do sell single pcs? thought they selling in pairs

[desmondekker]

i think 2.5 inches is already ready for breeding. i kept a colony of 4 in a 2x1x1. so far the bioload is low, but no actions yet :o

[barmby]

Plec0-ing 1o1

a basic rule of the thumb for plec-keeping is 1 inch for every 4"x4"x4" of water

[benjamin]

Ahhhh have to shelve my plans alr. Don't have the 4X4X4 space for them now. Don't wish to squeeze them with other plecs either. Thanks all for your help and advice!

[celticfish]

By barmby's rule of thumb.

24/4= 6
12/4= 3
6x3 = 18"
18/3 = 6 fish

If each L046 is about 3" you can have 6 fish.

I've done a tank with 13pcs in a 2x1x1'.
It's not impossible.
The caveat is that you need to know what you needs to be done for their well being.

[akoh]

By barmby's rule of thumb.

24/4= 6
12/4= 3
6x3 = 18"
18/3 = 6 fish

If each L046 is about 3" you can have 6 fish.

I've done a tank with 13pcs in a 2x1x1'.
It's not impossible.
The caveat is that you need to know what you needs to be done for their well being.

That is based on water turn-over rate of min. 3 times, if your filtration system can turn over more ! eg 6 or 8 times you can double the number of plecs.

[barmby]

haha.. thanks. tips are from akoh. not me! 6 fishes in 2x1x1. just right.. not too stress for keeper (water change)

[darry]

I am a little confused on the calculation, so let me share my confusion


1A) Given that the rule of thumb is 1 inch of fish to 4" x 4" x 4" of water (do note that it is Length x Breadth x Height)

the 24" x 12" x 12" will have

24/4 = 6
12/4 = 3
12/4 = 3

Hence, total inch of fish to keep is 6 x 3 x 3 = 54 inch.

Assume an adult of 3", we will get 54/3 = 18 adult zebra in a 24" x 12" x 12". of course since we dont fill the water to the fullest, we should just take it as 15 adult zebras.



1B) Calculate it in term of water volume. For 4" x 4" x 4" of water = 10cm x 10cm x 10cm = 1000ml = 1 liter of water.

In a 60cm x 30 cm x 25cm (height of water, instead of the 30cm tank height) = 45000ml = 45 liter of water.

Hence, we can keep 45 inches of fish, Given that an adult is 3" , we will get 45/3 = 15 adult zebras.



2) Given that the above calculation works for 3 times turnover rate.

And the tank size of 2ft x 1ft x 1ft contain about 45 liter of water.

If you get a good canister of say 900 liter per hour, that is a turn over rate of 20 times.

Hence 20 times / 3 times = at least 6 times more fishes multiple above 1A or 1B calculation.

Eg 15 adult zebra x 6 = 90 adult zebras in a 2ft x 1ft x 1ft space with a good canister filter of flowrate 900 liter per hour.


Now, does that confuse you? cos i seriously cannot imagine having 90 adult zebras in a 2ft tank.

[benjamin]

Hmm I guess for plecos the floor space matters more than the height. Hence you see bro celticfish's calculation doesn't include the height which gives you 18", 6 fishes. That's correct. 900litres canister with 20 times flowrate is very excessive in my opinion though. Sometimes nidda use logic instead of just sticking to the formulas and calculations.

[celticfish]

Fish stocking levels is calculated from the water volume.
Though the tank volume turnover rate is important you should not use this volume to calculate fish stocking level.

On a side note, I have run a Eheim Pro II 2028 on an Fiveplan 2 ft tank (57L).
You can adjust the flow volume down to a manageable rate for the tank.