several questions

Question
hi christy! back again!!! have put 1 dwarf gourami, 3 platys, 1 rainbow, and 1 guppy in 30 gal tank. they are doing great!!!! first question-set up 2.5 quarantine tank-guppy got stuck behind filter-how do i prevent this? he's o.k., but i caught him just in time. 2nd ?-heater is making water too hot! Had to unplug for awhile. Do I need a different heater? It was for 2-5 gal. not adjustable:(( -3rd question-would a silver dollar be too big for my 30 gal? I'm almost done except for a few ottos. thanks!!!!

Answer
Hi Kari
Glad everything's working out so far, knock on wood :)  

Stuck behind the filter huh?  Never had that problem lol, can't really say what to do.  Will the filter push up closer to the tank on the outside, so it's not so close to the glass on the inside?  Maybe try looking at the pet store for something you can stick back there, between teh intake tube and the glass, maybe some filter floss tied or rubber banded on the intake tube would work.  But might be a pain having to change it out every month or so because it'll collect all the debris, but won't hurt anything though.  If he's injured, try putting a little MelaFix in the tank, that should help with any injuries.  Maybe a little aquarium salt too if there's any sores or scrapes.  Those both should help fight any diseases/funguses that may show up.

Usually that's the problem with those heaters that aren't adjustable.  They're supposed to be set at 78 F I believe.  I've heard a lot of stories like yours, they get too hot for some reason.  I'd get one that you can adjust the temp in, as expensive as they are....

As for the silver dollar, they like to school in groups of at least 3 for them to thrive best.  I think you'll be too overstocked, with the other fish in there.  If I understand right reading your other post, you have 6 platies, 3 dwarf gouramis, 1 rainbow, and 1 guppy, and eventually the ottos?  I'd stick with the smaller fish.  With smaller community fish, IMO they don't put as much waste as the larger fish do.  I don't recommend overstocking a community tank, but I do think you have a bit more leeway then with say cichlids.  General rule and I only use this for community type fish, 1 inch of adult size fish per gallon.  Going over that a tad, I don't think will hurt anything, especially with good filtration and weekly water changes.  So, if what I mentioned is what you currently have, about 29 inches of fish for a 30 gallon tank.  The ottos are small, and again won't put much of a bioload on the tank to add to that.  

The silver dollars get around 6 inches I believe, and 3 of them in the tank, think with 3 they'd do better with a 55 gallon.  More swimming room for them.  Here's a link with some basic info on them, probably have to copy/paste:  

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=2522&N=0

Christy