Glasstapper
09-19-2006, 06:48 AM
After a couple of weeks of reading up on tons and tons of species and habitats, I do believe I have finally decided on my tank. I've researched adult sizes, water preferences, food preferences, personalities, etc. I have a 45 gallon tank (48x12x18), top fin 60 power filter, water is a constant 80 F, pH mostly steady (at the moment) around 7.0/7.2, water hardness at a constant 120 ppm, black gravel, tall plastic bushy plants, lots of little hiding places, and a makeshift shaded area (placed a cloth under the light to subdue a bit-this is temporary). I'll be adding live Java Fern and Java Moss later on. What do you think about Water Sprites?
Ok, that's my tank background. Here's what I would like to stock:
10 bleeding heart tetras (already there cycling) @ 3 inches when full grown
3 Corydoras trilineatus, 2 male 1 female @ 2.5 inches when full grown
2 Colisa lalia (dwarf gourami) 1 male 1 female @ 2 inches when full grown
6 Fancy Guppies all males @ 1.2 inches when full grown
That puts me at exactly 43.7 inches total of fish. Using the general rule of 1 inch of fish per gallon, this should work technically. Should.
I know to add them at about 3 week intervals. I'll do that one species at a time.
The tetras will be the main fish in the tank for the simple reason that they deserve it, they will be largest, and I love these handsome guys. After all, they are helping to establish their home, I should make them kings of the tank! :D
Any suggestions or comments you have is greatly appreciated. I feel that I am doing the proper research, but I'm afraid that I may miss something. I'm not looking to dive into breeding just yet, so I was hoping for an all male tank, but I understand the harmony of the environment depends on some species requiring a female.
Thanks again for any advice or suggestions you may have for me. And sorry about the novel!
p.s. I was originally planning on a malawi mbuna tank, but when I realized I would have to completely redo my tank setup, I decided I would just work with what I already have.
*edit* forgot to add that I will be installing a sponge filter to help keep up with the fish wastes.
Ok, that's my tank background. Here's what I would like to stock:
10 bleeding heart tetras (already there cycling) @ 3 inches when full grown
3 Corydoras trilineatus, 2 male 1 female @ 2.5 inches when full grown
2 Colisa lalia (dwarf gourami) 1 male 1 female @ 2 inches when full grown
6 Fancy Guppies all males @ 1.2 inches when full grown
That puts me at exactly 43.7 inches total of fish. Using the general rule of 1 inch of fish per gallon, this should work technically. Should.
I know to add them at about 3 week intervals. I'll do that one species at a time.
The tetras will be the main fish in the tank for the simple reason that they deserve it, they will be largest, and I love these handsome guys. After all, they are helping to establish their home, I should make them kings of the tank! :D
Any suggestions or comments you have is greatly appreciated. I feel that I am doing the proper research, but I'm afraid that I may miss something. I'm not looking to dive into breeding just yet, so I was hoping for an all male tank, but I understand the harmony of the environment depends on some species requiring a female.
Thanks again for any advice or suggestions you may have for me. And sorry about the novel!
p.s. I was originally planning on a malawi mbuna tank, but when I realized I would have to completely redo my tank setup, I decided I would just work with what I already have.
*edit* forgot to add that I will be installing a sponge filter to help keep up with the fish wastes.