Starting a 20 Gallon tank

[Lolita]

Hello all! My name is Lo, and I'm from South of Boston, MA!

I got my first aquarium in 2005. I had a goldfish in a 10 gallon tank that I maintained very well until about a year ago. My goldfish unfortunately became ill while I was away for a weekend, and died the day of my return.

I put aside my tank after that because of rennovations in my house, but now I'm hoping to start up again. This time, I'd like to try my hand at a 20 gallon tank. I've been told they're no harder to maintain than a 10 gallon, and I'm ready for any challenges it may bring, but I'd like to give whatever fish I get room to move around. I can't really go much bigger than this (up to a 25 is the biggest I can go) because my bedroom is quite small, and the tank will be going there.

Before I buy anything, though, I have a few questions. I've been doing research for about a week now, and I'd like to ask people who know what they're talking about a few questions before getting started.

First off, I'm sticking to freshwater, but I'll be doing a tropical tank this time instead of a cold water tank.

I'd like to have the following fish in my tank:

6-8 Neon Tetra
3-6 Dainty Corydoras
1-2 Siamese Algae Eater
MAYBE 1 Betta

I've heard that Siamese Algae eaters grow too big for a 20 gallon tank after a short amount of time, is this true? I've also heard mixed reviews on whether or not it is safe to put 1 betta into a community tank with other species of fish. I'm not set on getting the betta, but if it is indeed safe to add them to a community, I think one would make a beautiful addition to my tank.

I'd like to avoid using live plants, since this is my first community tank and I think I'll have enough challenges as it is--but if it's healthier for my tank, is it a big challenge to care for them?

My hope is to get an acrylic tank with the new Marineland filter/light combo tops that have a filter built into the top so I won't need to hang one off the back of my tank.

Sorry about the massive wall of text here, I wanted to make sure I got as much information in this post as possible. Can anyone offer me any advice beyond the basics? I know about cycling, soft water vs. hard water, balancing pH, water temperature, etc--I'd like to know more about live vs. artificial plants, sand vs. gravel, the number of fish I've listed, and the compatibility of them.

Thank you SO much!!
Lo <3

[Needi]

I am also unsure of the betta and have only found conflicting advice. It really depends on personality too. Have a spare tank on hand if you want to try to betta, it would add tons of color to a tank setup as you have listed.

Live Plants: amazing in my opinion. Live plants are pretty much the only thing that saved my tank after breaking every rule in the book. There are some very hardy plants that will do well without any special lighting/ co2 system/ or any of that jazz. I would recommend java ferns and java moss or anubias to start. You really can't beat the look of live plants and they have huge benefits for tank stability. Do your research and keep checking threads on here.

For your sand vs gravel bit. If your going with corys, sand is the only way I would want to see them. They need to be in schools of 6+ so your definatly going to have go with a small species of cory.

The algae eaters = forget about it. Go with a bristlenose pleco (not common pleco!!!!!) or shrimp for algae control. The corys will pick the bottom clean and just some tank maintence would control algae as well. If you are going to get an algae eater wait 1-2 weeks before picking one up otherwise there will not be any for them to consume.

I hope this helps! Good luck and happy fish keeping!

[Lolita]

Thank you so much for your advice! I'll look into those plants immediately.

I've heard that the Corydoras habrosos (Dainty Corydoras) are some of the smallest, is that true? If so I'd have no problem getting 6-8 of those as well, as long as it wouldn't overcrowd my tank!

I'll do some research on the bristlenose pleco. Shrimp would be a huge no because my mother and sister are both freaked out by live shrimp, and I still live at home lol.

Thanks again!!



Edit: What about the Otocinclus? After doing just a little research quickly, I read that they are even smaller than the bristlenose and like to be kept in small groups like the corys and tetra. Are you familiar at all with them?

[Garrett]

Well, the little freshwater shrimp you'd get for a tank like that are very, very small. The two guys I've got in my tank are probably a little bit bigger than a neon tetra, and honestly, they're almost never visible anyway. They come out at night, but they spend most of the time in little nooks and crannies.

Also, CYCLE THE TANK before you put any fishies in. I learned from that mistake.

[Sharon]

Here's my 2cents...the stock sounds fine, but make sure you really want an acrylic tank. I find glass so much better as the acrylic scratches so easily...

[Lab_Rat]

A 20g tank is actually easier to maintain than the smaller 10g. The larger size keeps water parameters from fluctuating too rapidly. It's a really good size for starting off. Make sure you read up on cycling and I highly recommend using the fishless method. There is a sticky on cycling at the top of the forum.

A stocking plan of 8 neons, 6 pygmy cories, and a lone betta would be quite nice. The SAE do get too large for a 20g so I would not recommend them. If you really want an algae eater a couple of otos could be added (they need brown algae to eat) or a small plec species like the bristlenose or rubber nose.

With the cories try to find a soft, rounded substrate so their barbels don't wear down. As far as live plants go, they typically do better with specialized lighting, though a few species can make do with less (such as java moss and java fern). It is true that plants help improve water quality but if you keep up with your water changes this shouldn't be an issue anyway. At this point, it would be easier to start with fake plants (the silk ones look good imo).

[Lolita]

Here's my 2cents...the stock sounds fine, but make sure you really want an acrylic tank. I find glass so much better as the acrylic scratches so easily...

Actually I'm kind of relieved to hear that actually... I keep reading that acrylic is so much better but it also costs three times as much. A 20 gallon glass tank at petco is 40 dollars, but an acrylic is 150! Thank you!

[Lolita]

Well, the little freshwater shrimp you'd get for a tank like that are very, very small. The two guys I've got in my tank are probably a little bit bigger than a neon tetra, and honestly, they're almost never visible anyway. They come out at night, but they spend most of the time in little nooks and crannies.

Also, CYCLE THE TANK before you put any fishies in. I learned from that mistake.

Lol I learned that the hard way, too, actually, with my 10 gallon. I nearly killed my poor goldfish when I first put him in the tank, but managed to save him, and then learned after how to cycle the tank!

[Lolita]

A 20g tank is actually easier to maintain than the smaller 10g. The larger size keeps water parameters from fluctuating too rapidly. It's a really good size for starting off. Make sure you read up on cycling and I highly recommend using the fishless method. There is a sticky on cycling at the top of the forum.

A stocking plan of 8 neons, 6 pygmy cories, and a lone betta would be quite nice. The SAE do get too large for a 20g so I would not recommend them. If you really want an algae eater a couple of otos could be added (they need brown algae to eat) or a small plec species like the bristlenose or rubber nose.

With the cories try to find a soft, rounded substrate so their barbels don't wear down. As far as live plants go, they typically do better with specialized lighting, though a few species can make do with less (such as java moss and java fern). It is true that plants help improve water quality but if you keep up with your water changes this shouldn't be an issue anyway. At this point, it would be easier to start with fake plants (the silk ones look good imo).

Thank you very much for your advice! I didn't know there was a fishless method, but that would definately be preferred! I'll read the stickies immediately!

[Anomaly]

May I recommend a 20 gallon long tank instead of the standard 20 gallon. Also, a few Oto's make great algae eaters in a 20 gallon and aren't the poop machines that Plecos are.

[Lolita]

May I recommend a 20 gallon long tank instead of the standard 20 gallon. Also, a few Oto's make great algae eaters in a 20 gallon and aren't the poop machines that Plecos are.

Thank you very much! I'll check my pet store for a 20 long--it seems like it would work better for the set up I'm hoping for in my bedroom. I'd like to build a bed-table around my tank, and make the top lift off on hinges for feedings and cleaning the tank. I definately think I'll go with Oto's, too! They're more aesthetically appealing to me and much smaller, so I won't have to worry about size control!

[Nautilus29]

LOL your writing keeps getting smaller and smaller. I wouldn't trust the hood filters, if it breaks you would have to buy a new hood and when you buy a filter you always wantto go bigger then what the labels say they are rated for. You have no choice with the hood filters.

[iZinedane]

Also Try Craigslist at your area,
they always have cheap 2nd hand tanks,
i dont know about the betta in there though,
the stockings fine excep for the betta( for me) and the SAE's
for an algae eater try a BN plec or 3 oto's
as for the cories try pygmy cories. :22:

[Lolita]

LOL your writing keeps getting smaller and smaller. I wouldn't trust the hood filters, if it breaks you would have to buy a new hood and when you buy a filter you always wantto go bigger then what the labels say they are rated for. You have no choice with the hood filters.

LOL does it? I'll leave it at standard size.

Thank for for the advice. I've never used a hood filter so I wasn't sure how well they worked. I'll keep that in mind!

[Lolita]

Also Try Craigslist at your area,
they always have cheap 2nd hand tanks,
i dont know about the betta in there though,
the stockings fine excep for the betta( for me) and the SAE's
for an algae eater try a BN plec or 3 oto's
as for the cories try pygmy cories. :22:

I'll take a look, thanks!

Yes, I've decided on Oto's definately. The betta is still really iffy for me. I'll look at pygmy cories, thanks!

[King Tut]

With what you are planning you could look at a female Betta or two. I have a 20H that is strictly 5 female bettas and 2 oto. I have even put a couple of molly in there with them and had no problem (since moved to their proper home). The betta do like to play (chase but never seem to stress) the oto's. Our male betta will not let anyone in his tank. Also IMO I would stay away from the marineland system. Most people I know of have never had any luck with them. As for the Oto being more aesthetically pleasing that is why we ended up with them. My wife thinks they are cuter then the cory. Good Luck in whatever you choose to do.

[Lolita]

With what you are planning you could look at a female Betta or two. I have a 20H that is strictly 5 female bettas and 2 oto. I have even put a couple of molly in there with them and had no problem (since moved to their proper home). The betta do like to play (chase but never seem to stress) the oto's. Our male betta will not let anyone in his tank. Also IMO I would stay away from the marineland system. Most people I know of have never had any luck with them. As for the Oto being more aesthetically pleasing that is why we ended up with them. My wife thinks they are cuter then the cory. Good Luck in whatever you choose to do.

Thanks a lot! If I could get 2 females without them fighting at all, that would be wonderful! I much prefer the idea of keeping my fish in pairs or schools.

You're also the second person to warn me about the marineland system--thank you. I may stick with the filter I currently have--it's made for a tank up to 30 gallons, and it's served me well in the past.

[Aeonflame]

A great idea is to use the extra money you are saving on the acrylic tank to buy an even bigger glass one! More room to grow into.... and its easier to maintain.

[Lolita]

A great idea is to use the extra money you are saving on the acrylic tank to buy an even bigger glass one! More room to grow into.... and its easier to maintain.

I would love to have a HUGE tank, but it took me a year to get my father to concede to getting a 20 after I stopped using my 10 gallon. I think if I asked for anything bigger I'd be killed lol.

[King Tut]

If I could get 2 females without them fighting at all.

I would not say ours never have a disagreement because from time to time there is some tail nipping but never anything to worry me. Usually it is just them playing and one getting tired of it and snipping at the other. It has decreased dramatically since we moved them from a 10 to 20 gallon tank. Females seem to be more "puppy" like to. They actually look for attention from you.

[Lolita]

I would not say ours never have a disagreement because from time to time there is some tail nipping but never anything to worry me. Usually it is just them playing and one getting tired of it and snipping at the other. It has decreased dramatically since we moved them from a 10 to 20 gallon tank. Females seem to be more "puppy" like to. They actually look for attention from you.

=D That sounds wonderful. They sound like a perfect addition to a community tank. Thank you very much for your input!