More Questions!!

[fishyfamily]

! have a (currently) uncycled 29g tank. as of right now my plan is to get a dwarf gourami and some type of tetra, eventually i would like to have a fully stocked community aquarium and have a few questions. 1) do i need an algae eater, like a placostumus (thats spelled wrong im sure) and if so should i get it first thing or wait til my tank gets kinda full 2) what type of fish has anyone had good experiences with that would do well with the ones ive mentioned, ive done a ton of research but that can only tell so much. 3) how important is a QT and what needs to be put in a QT when i get one. thanks and it wont be long before i get my tank set up, i start a job tomorrow.

[Northernguy]

You do not need a pleco!Corys and some dwarf cichlids added would make a nice tank.
You never add a pleco until your tank has been cycled and running for at least 3 months.They need a well established tank preferably with driftwood and algae. lol
For a QT tank just keep some tetras or something you can transfer to your community tank when needed.

[Dave66]

There are over 750 species of Plecostomus, or more properly, Loricariads. The commons in pet shops are one of two species; one reaches a foot in length, the other close to two feet, so neither common is suitable for a 29 gallon.

The commonly available bristlenose catfish would be more appropriate for your aquarium, as long as you provide plenty of hiding places for him (or her) with driftwood and rounded stones. Since you're new in the hobby, you'd need much research to attempt live plants, but it would benefit both the bristlenose and the other fish you are interested in if you had plants.

The bristlenose will make short work of any green algae, but when he's finished, you'll need to feed him. Look up my Loricariad primer in the "other catfish" forum what and how to feed them. To answer your other question, the bristlenose should be the first fish in your tank, as they are a tougher species than tetras. I always start a tank with Loricariads, and have for several decades.

A quarantine tank will mean you'll never have to deal with disease in your 29 gallon. Ever. Especially if you quarantine new arrivals a month.

Dave

[korith]

If you're just starting out you can get by w/o a qt, since your aquarium is empty right now. For a quarantine, any size tank will do, a small filter, or a sponge filter driven by an air pump, and a heater. The qt is fairly simple, just has the bare requirements, no substrate. You could add in a fake plant or two, some fish get panicky in an empty tank. In a pinch I've used a small plastic container with a sponge filter.

[jaysee]

You only NEED an algae eater if you have an algae problem. If you get one before there is any in your tank you'll have to feed it more regularly. Also, some plecos only eat algae when they are young.

The betta and gourami might work, but it might not, so be prepared to get the betta out. The gourami will work well with most fish, except for fish that are fin nippers and for the most part other male gouramis.

A quarantine tank is important in general, but I think most important once you have an established tank. Basically, if you have a tank that is healthy and thriving, do you want to just throw a fish in that could disrupt that or would you rather isolate and observe the new fish first?

IMO, in the QT tank should be some caves and fake plants with a light layer of gravel. I take all that from existing tanks and use filter media that I've primed in an established tank. I have a small filter running on my 45G for that purpose. I use a 10G, but I keep small fish. If you keep bigger fish, I would recoment a bigger tank.

[troy]

The betta and gourami might work, but it might not, so be prepared to get the betta out. The gourami will work well with most fish, except for fish that are fin nippers and for the most part other male gouramis.


The poster made no mention of a betta at all.

[jaysee]

The poster made no mention of a betta at all.

You're right! It was tetra.

[Gayle]

I am with Dave on all that he said!

A Gourami can be a pretty testy fish, I am not saying all are by any means some have good temperments. Males can be bullies, more so than females, but even a female can be. Pick carefully!!!! Try to limit it to the one, and make sure he has his space, and the other fish have places to hide!

I would recommend doing as much research as you can before you make any solid plans.

Good luck!

[fishyfamily]

well ive been told a plecostomus can get big but also that they grow slow. my lfs trades them in when they outhrow the tank but ill look into the bristlenose catfish as an alternative. i dont plan on getting live plants for many reasons which all discussed in another thread i posted called "plants??". i would post a link if i knew how. if i do get a qt it wont be until i get a fairly established tank. i plan on only getting one gourami and it being my main fish and working most everything else around it. doing research is never a prob for me. thumbs2: i research and read and learn and think and overthink everything. is there anyway i can determine in the store which arent bullies, i know the basics on how to tell if they are healthy but what else can i look for?

[jaysee]

If you put your outstretched hand up to the glass, the dominant (and most likely healthy) fish will come investigate. The dominant males will also have their own territories and if you watch the tank you'll see them run others from it. If there is any kind of structure in the tank, the most dominant male will usually claim it. It's tough to "not get a bully" if you are picking healthy fish. They are dominant because they are healthy. Besides, each fish is different.