Is this a good way to stock a 20 gallon?

[pIlsner]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forums and pretty excited about starting up my first aquarium.

So I just bought a 20 gallon tank yesterday along with the starter kit with almost everything necessary. I haven't bought any fish yet but I have a basic idea of what I am going to get.

My question is: do you guys think this list will be fairly compatible? They are all community fish. The lady at petsmart (is petsmart a good place to go?) said it would be fine but I'd like to get more opinion. So the rough sketch is as follows:

6 tetra
2 ghost shrimp
1 plecostomus
2 silver hatchetfish
4 guppy
2 black molly

I am probably going to pick up the black mollys, ghost shrimp, and tetra today or tomorrow. I got the tank yesterday and added dechlornitor and some other chemical that came with the starter kit (don't remember what it was though.. heh) to it. Do you think one day is too early to start adding a few fish and begin the cycling? I'm not really patient enough for a fishless cycle..

[Incredulous_Ed]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forums and pretty excited about starting up my first aquarium.

So I just bought a 20 gallon tank yesterday along with the starter kit with almost everything necessary. I haven't bought any fish yet but I have a basic idea of what I am going to get.

My question is: do you guys think this list will be fairly compatible? They are all community fish. The lady at petsmart (is petsmart a good place to go?) said it would be fine but I'd like to get more opinion. So the rough sketch is as follows:

6 tetra
2 ghost shrimp
1 plecostomus
2 silver hatchetfish
4 guppy
2 black molly

I am probably going to pick up the black mollys, ghost shrimp, and tetra today or tomorrow. I got the tank yesterday and added dechlornitor and some other chemical that came with the starter kit (don't remember what it was though.. heh) to it. Do you think one day is too early to start adding a few fish and begin the cycling? I'm not really patient enough for a fishless cycle..

Go wth 8 tetras, 5 hatchets, NO pleco, because they get huge, and 4 guppies and 2 mollies will be fine.

[siymdapolio]

Welcome to the the Aquatic community! I am glad you found your way here buddy :D

Anyways thats a great little start up kit but i will be suggesting to you that the lady if she did say to put a plecotomus in there is a bad idea.... specially with the other fish... makes your 20 gallon to cramped the pleco will outgrow the tank.

Also you are going to begin a fish cycle... not a fishless cycle. What you should do is buy some hardy fish and small and only begin with them for the first couple of weeks. You need to add fish slowly to your tank and cycle it.

I am in a bit of a hurry but here is a link about cycling and things
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aqua...ead.php?t=5278
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aqua...ead.php?t=2678


Oh yea post script!
Dont forget to go to the introduction section of the forum and let everyone know you have arrived to the AC! Good luck!

[angelcakes]

hello and welcome
i think eds answered your question

[terrapin24h]

welcome from a fellow newbie!

I would suggest you read about fishless cycling if at all possible and go that route. Lots of info on it here. I just gone done doing a fish cycle, and wished i done fishless; for two reasons: 1--it's hard on the critters if you use them to cycle, and 2--it's hard on you, as you'll find yerself changing lots of water to keep them alive. The fishless cycle will teach you about water chemistry, get you used to checking your aquarium and manipulating its chemistry, and give you time to research your fish. When your cycle is done and you add fish do so gradually, to give your tank a chance to catch up with the load. I would strongly suggest you buy no fish until you understand the nitrogen cycle completely. just my .02 ;)

-chris

[Sasquatch]

If you're not patient a fishless cycle is the best bet. It generally takes 2-3x less time than a fish cycle. You'll have more fish, faster and with less hassle.

As far as your stocking goes, it's largely good. The pleco is a no-go, unless it's a bristlenose pleco, they stay small enough for a 20g. I'd either drop the mollies and get more guppies, or get platies. Platies are smaller so there's less chance of overdoing it with the stocking.

Eds suggestions are good too.

Also, what kind of tetra's are you looking at. There are a lot or varieties out there, and not all stay small.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[MandyL]

The above advice is good. Whether you do a fish cycle or a fishless cycle, you MUST buy a test kit with tests for ammonia, nitrIte, and nitrAte. When cycling with fish, you need to keep your ammonia and nitrite below 1-2ppm, which will most likely mean daily water changes for the month or so it will take to finish cycling (the length depending on many factors of course). Since you are new to fish, I would recommend you start with just the 2 mollies (or platies are better as they stay smaller), and wait on the tetras until your cycle is done. Hatchetfish are fairly sensitive and aren't considered a beginner fish, but once you get a hang of your tank and your levels are good, you can give them a try. Get at least 6 though as they are schooling fish. Also agree on the above - no pleco unless it's a bristlenose pleco that stays small enough for your tank. The regular plecos get up to 24" long!

As for the guppies and mollies/platies, make sure you get more females than males, to prevent the females from constantly being harrassed. Personally I would do at least 2 females per male (unless you get an all-male tank).

Welcome to AC by the way!

[johnl]

A pleco isn't completely out of the question it just depends on what kind. Clown pleco only gets to 4" Bristle nose only 5" and there are others that stay small. You definitely don't want a common as they can get up to two feet in length. Here's a good site for Pleco info.

http://www.plecofanatics.com/