Stocking List. Opinions?

**toadsticker** · 02-28-2008, 06:31 AM

Just setting up my new 30gal FW tank.

At this point I would like

Ropefish ~10"
Bristlenose Pleco 4" ( LFS calling it bushy, same thing?)
African Butterfly 3.5"
Small Angel 2.5-3" Body
4 or 5 snails

My tank is cycling with a couple goldfish ( yeah yeah I know) that will be going into my old 10g with a divider and some guppies and ghost shrimp on the other side. Dinner for the ropefish now and a little later the angel and butterfly will be getting some little guppies.

I am trying to avoid all typical new tank screw ups. I think that the tank should be able to comfortably sustain that biomass. and the fish should be compatable.

Not ready for real plants, so I am also looking for plastic foliage suggestions that will benefit the butterfly and angel. Will of course build a couple hideouts for the rope and pleco.

I am inexperienced with snails. Just want a few more critters on the cleaning staff without suffering overcrowding or incompatability, so again any advice on how many/what species/concerns/etc would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all very much for your time!

Jay

**mitcore** · 02-28-2008, 07:26 AM

hi
i can advise you on the following

the snails can be keeped anywhere and will live with anything i have mystery snails in my angels breeding tanks and they live well with fry not so good with eggs they eat them, i also have them in my community 4ft tank, so generally speaking they are great and good cleaners

the angels is another area i know well (i breed them)
you say small angel, they wont stay small for long the do get big i have a few very big ones bigger then the one you are looking at about 7 inchs for a koi, the angel can be agressive if they have eggs and/or fry other then that they are very peaceful fish

the bristle nose is a great algae eater and wont get to big ( i also breed these) they will live with almost all fish happily and are peaceful fish

i dont know anything about the other fish listed i am sorry

plastic plants are good just remember to clean them often the can catch some food and not let it go in a hurry

hope this helps a bit

**doug z** · 02-28-2008, 07:31 AM

Hey Toadsticker!

Welcome to the forum!

It's too bad you don't want to try real plants.. :)

They mean more $$$ for lighting, CO2, nutrient-rich substrate and ferts, and can be a hassle, but they look one HECK of alot better than even silk plants, they keep algae at bay by using up all the nutrients that the algae also needs, they provide 02 for the fish...

You can even get plants that will do ok without all the fancy stuff (just not as well)..

But it's your call.. LOL

**Demi ^_^** · 02-28-2008, 07:43 AM

Originally Posted by doug z

Hey Toadsticker!

Welcome to the forum!

It's too bad you don't want to try real plants.. :)

They mean more $$$ for lighting, CO2, nutrient-rich substrate and ferts, and can be a hassle, but they look one HECK of alot better than even silk plants, they keep algae at bay by using up all the nutrients that the algae also needs, they provide 02 for the fish...

You can even get plants that will do ok without all the fancy stuff (just not as well)..

But it's your call.. LOL

True =) I have 4 plants in my tank and I only have a 2ft indecent light and am using no fertilisers, etc =P Live plants really do look a LOT better then fake, believe me, I know =) In my oppinion, Angelfish should have a fair amount of plants, so if possible get as many as possible if you want an Angel =)

Oh! And I think that list is fine, but I'll check just to make sure =)

**toadsticker** · 02-28-2008, 07:46 AM

Thanks for the input and welcome guys!

mitcore, how many mystery snails would you advise in a tank of this size?
also, i do not want a pair of angels. do they not keep well individually?

even a 6" angel should have plenty of space in a 30 that only has one other mid-water/surface fish (butterfly) and 2 bottom fish. Is this thinking flawed?

doug,
i know, i would love to LOOK at real plants, just dont think that i can afford the extra equipment or the time to deal with them. If you do have some plants that you could recomend for me that will deal well enough in standard gravel substrate, with SOME natural light, and a pleco, I am all ears!

Is anyone familiar with the aquatic plant Hydrilla? Being the bass fisherman that I am everytime I see that stuff, i think that it would be awesome in an aquarium. It also survives in the most miserable water you can imagine.

Thanks again!
Jay

**toadsticker** · 02-28-2008, 07:48 AM

Sorry Demi,

typing while you posted. Like I said, i would relish some attractive, low maintenance plants.

**mitcore** · 02-28-2008, 07:51 AM

Originally Posted by doug z

Hey Toadsticker!

Welcome to the forum!

It's too bad you don't want to try real plants.. :)

They mean more $$$ for lighting, CO2, nutrient-rich substrate and ferts, and can be a hassle, but they look one HECK of alot better than even silk plants, they keep algae at bay by using up all the nutrients that the algae also needs, they provide 02 for the fish...

You can even get plants that will do ok without all the fancy stuff (just not as well)..

But it's your call.. LOL

they dont keep all algae a bay doug
they can still grow algae as well

sorry what you said is right but they dont deal with all algae in a general term
they can make it harder for it be gotten rid of,

as for the ferts i have never used it and have never used, nutruient rich substrates either, i just plant and let them go on their own and dont have an issue, so even though it is advised to have those thing for plants it is not aways a given,

mitcore, how many mystery snails would you advise in a tank of this size?
also, i do not want a pair of angels. do they not keep well individually?

even a 6" angel should have plenty of space in a 30 that only has one other mid-water/surface fish (butterfly) and 2 bottom fish. Is this thinking flawed?

the snails: 2 should be fine , though this will mean they will breed, they lay thier eggs on the top of the tank so if you dont want babies just take the clump out of the tank

the angel is fine on its own, it will be a bit afraid til it settles but after that no worries, it will be a great additiong to the tank,

definately not flawed thinking you should be proud of yourself for getting advice and asking questions
it is the best way to learn,

keep in mind we as members all have our own ideas and thoughts
so i advise you to
read, think about what was written and the apply what is best for you and your tank

good luck and hope this helps

**doug z** · 02-28-2008, 08:14 AM

Hydrilla?

I know it's considered an incredibly invasive weed, so it should grow pretty well.. :)

Some other good low maintenance plants, low light plants:

Java Fern, Java Moss (they have to go onto rocks or driftwood..)

Anubias barteri var. barteri

Cryptocoryne walkeri

Those should do ok....

Like I say, the Java moss and Java fern don't even have to grow in the substrate.. So if you add some Seachem Flourish (liquid fert) 1-2 a week, that should be fine.. And they're low light plants..

They don't keep all algae at bay, of course.. They just make it harder for them, as they all have to fight for the same nutrients..

Oh, and another good thing plants do is help break down nitrites and ammonia in your tank, which are harmful to fish..

**toadsticker** · 02-28-2008, 06:57 PM

Alright I will look for some of those plants when I get to the store.

Anybody see any compatability problems?

**toadsticker** · 02-29-2008, 04:24 AM

Well, I went into the LFS today to pick up some testing stuff and look at plants. I had planned on putting a nice piece of driftwood in my tank and while I was looking at plants, lo and behold there was a perfectly sized and shaped piece of driftwood covered in java moss. I think the girl there might have like me a bit because she sold it to me for 10.99 instead of 29.99. So SCORE! Also picked up some plants that I cannot remember the name of, but she seemed very knowledgeable and said that they would work well with my setup. Got some fertilizer as well.

I would still like some floating plants, natural would be cool, since I find myself going down the real plant road, LOL. I am also curious on how to anchor them in place and not have them swirling around the tank.

ALSO, on the issue of snails. Could I maybe get 1 critter each of 3 different species to avoid breeding, or do snails hybridize easily?

GAWD! I ask a lot of questions!

Thanks for the help guys!