Dead spot in 55g tank

[CrazieEddie]

I have a few dead spots in my 55g tank, which my tetras just seem to gather around and just chill out in. Are dead spots fine in freshwater tanks? I know dead spots are not good in a reef tank, but just wondering if it's not good in a freshwater tank either.

If was thinking of adding either a small pump or a powersweep in the dead spot. I just want to see my tertras school a little more. Would this be ok to do?


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This is my current inventory:
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(1) 55 Gallon tank
(1) Emperor Power Filter 400
(2) PowerSweep 214 Rotating Powerhead with UGF
(1) Proquatics 150 Watt Submersible Heater (Temp at 78F)

(1) Flame Dwarf Gourami (1M)
(2) Upside Down Cat
(1) African Butterfly
(3) Clown Loach
(2) Angel
(4) Guppies (2M/2F)
(6) Zebra Danio
(5) Neon Tetras
(5) Glow Light Tetras
(6) Otocinclus Catfish
(1) Dwarf Bristlenose Pleco

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(1) 20 Gallon tank (Birthing Tank)
(1) Emperor Power Filter 280
(1) PowerSweep 214 Rotating Powerhead with UGF
(1) Proquatics 100 Watt Submersible Heater (Temp at 78F)

(4) Red (Harlequin) Rasbora
(3) Adolfoi Cory Cat
(1) Guppies
(2) Guppies Baby (1M/1F)
(3) Otocinclus Catfish
(1) Dwarf Bristlenose Pleco

[Nooboon]

I can't see any harm adding some sort of pump if you like as long as you don't think any of your fish will be uncomfortable with extra current.

The main issue with dead spots in a fresh water tank is that wastes tend to accumulate on the bottom in these areas and are not broken down so well. In any well decorated tank there are bound to be a few dead spots and as long as you gravel vac regularly there is no big problem in my opinion.

[CrazieEddie]

Does anyone know if the current stock of fish in my 55g tank be fine with a little extra current in the dead spot if I add another powersweep?

[vjvl51]

Ecubilla, tetras school as a defensive move. If they are secure in your tank, more current won't get them to school.

If you add more current, I would watch your fish carefully. Angels and gouramis don't usually like current. If they start hanging out in a corner, then you have too much current. If they are swimming all over the tank, then things are OK. It is hard to judge how much current you have now, so this is just a recommendation.

Vickie

[CrazieEddie]

Good. I guess everyone is happy, except for 2 female guppies. One female is being chased around by 2 males (one male is still very young), and the other female just hangs around near the surface (see my previous post (http://www.aquariumpros.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1335).

I guess I'll just leave things the way, since the angels & dwarf gourami are doing everything as you stated, tetras hang out in their special spots, zebra danios swim all over, & the ottos/clown loaches/upside cats spend time cleaning up the tank.

[vjvl51]

Sounds like a happy tank except for your guppies. Maybe a couple more females will keep the males busy. :) or give the second female a little more time to become more secure.

Vickie

[Nooboon]

ecubilla, just a question about your upside-down cats. Do they actually spend much time upside-down? The cats they sell at my local fish store actually spend at least 90% of their time up the right way. They are also quite shy during the day and this doesn't really match what I have read about these fish. I was thinking perhaps my LFS is trying to sell some other synodontis species as upside-downs.
What are youe experiences?

[CrazieEddie]

My upside cats spend about 90% of their time, upside down. They sometimes search for food on the gravel rightside up, but once they had they're fill or get startled, they immediately go upsidedown and hide. Also, when they swim under decor or from area to another, they are upside down.

I have seen in the LFS with a bare tank full of upside cats, I will see them rightside up most of the time. Or maybe even even sticking to the side of the tank. It think it's becuase there are no hiding places for them to go swim underneath.

Maybe when you go back to your LFS, ask them to put some kind of decor that has places that can hide into and see if they swim upside down towards it. I'm not sure if they will, but it's worth asking.

I hope it helps.

[Nooboon]

Well, now I am convinced that they aren't 'real' upside-downers. I had a couple for a while and even with all of the cover in my tank they never spent much time upside-down. I returned them to the store when one decided to make a meal out of one of my kuhli loaches one night.
I queried them at the store as to whether they were genuine upside-downers and gave them my reasons for doubting them. They said "oh you get all of your information from the internet (which isn't true, I have read every single freshwater tropical fish book in the city library) so it's probably all hearsay......." and so on.
The problem is they don't read anything at all and just learn by trial and error. They do know a lot but only because of experience.
Here in NZ they don't sell fish by scientific name. It would save a lot of confusion if they used both names and it would make it easier for me to research new fish I see in their store. Whats the situation in North America?
Anyway, thanks for your reply to my question and letting me have a moan. I feel better now.

[CrazieEddie]

No problem. I'm glad I was able to help you.

I have seen a mixed bag here. Most of the major LFSs I have been to, in Chicago Metro area of Illinois, only posts the common name. 2 major LFSs posts the common and scientific name, max size, food preference and community type (community, semi-aggressive, or aggresive) on most their stock.

Another LFS posts mostly common names, but I've seen some of his stock having the scientific name. Although the owner is a nice guy and is willing to order stock for you if he can get them, I got kind of leary with him. Especially when he told me he can try to get a hold of Yoyo loaches, but after looking around, I noticed some stock labeled Lohachata Botia.

[aquak]

The upside catfish I've seen in LFS were upside down. I think you are correct in doubting them. Also, I just switched from a biowheel to a canister and my angelfish now enjoy swimming all over the tank instead of just one side. The only problem is LFS doesn't carry Eheim and advised buying what they have (RENA) so supplies would readily available. They said it was very quiet, but it is NOISY. I think I have a different definition of quiet from other people.

[vjvl51]

Aquak

I always recommend buying the filters that are available locally. If something breaks, you have a chance that they will have a replacement part in stock. :) You also have a better chance of no skipping a filter cleaning due to being out of media. That said - noisy filters are never nice and they seem to get noisier all the time because it is an irratant. :mad:

For the next time - many fish stores have setups using the equipment that they sell. I would suggest asking to see the unit working on one of their systems. This would give you some idea how noisy it is as well as how to hook up everything.

You are quite correct. What is quiet to one person is noisey to another.

Vickie