Advice/Comments on stocking 20 gallon

[berserker]

Hello all,

I'm just setting up my first freshwater tank and am about to begin a fishless cycle on it...while that's going I'll be deliberating on what I can stock it with! At the moment, this is what I'm liking:

5 or 6 tetras (maybe cardinals or black phantoms)
5 or 6 dwarf loaches (I like the Pakistani's but they'll prob get too big)
A pair of Dwarf Gourami
A pair of Blue Rams
...and then if/when algae becomes a problem, something to help fight it (maybe a Bristlenose?)

I'd also like to get an Angelfish, but know I'm already pushing it...if I did, it would be as a substitute for either the Gourami's or Ram's.

Tank details:
24" x 12" x 15"
AquaClear 30 filter
100w heater
Planted with live plants (only 1 fluoro bulb across top, so it's low-light only)along with driftwood and a couple of nice rocks - one of them flat.
Darkish pea-gravel substrate (with laterite in bottom to help the plants).

Any questions/comments on this are most welcome! Also feel free to comment on maybe the order/timing that I stock (e.g. I've read Blue Rams prefer a well-established tank).

Cheers.

[Wild Turkey]

Hello all,

I'm just setting up my first freshwater tank and am about to begin a fishless cycle on it...while that's going I'll be deliberating on what I can stock it with! At the moment, this is what I'm liking:

5 or 6 tetras (maybe cardinals or black phantoms)
5 or 6 dwarf loaches (I like the Pakistani's but they'll prob get too big)
A pair of Dwarf Gourami
A pair of Blue Rams
...and then if/when algae becomes a problem, something to help fight it (maybe a Bristlenose?)

I'd also like to get an Angelfish, but know I'm already pushing it...if I did, it would be as a substitute for either the Gourami's or Ram's.

Tank details:
24" x 12" x 15"
AquaClear 30 filter
100w heater
Planted with live plants (only 1 fluoro bulb across top, so it's low-light only)along with driftwood and a couple of nice rocks - one of them flat.
Darkish pea-gravel substrate (with laterite in bottom to help the plants).

Any questions/comments on this are most welcome! Also feel free to comment on maybe the order/timing that I stock (e.g. I've read Blue Rams prefer a well-established tank).

Cheers.

Stock sounds fine if you choose Either the pair of gouramis or blue rams, not both thats a bit much and you may have some territorial problems at times.

Other than that i would just say get a filter thats rated for at least 40 gallons. (double for ur tank is recommended)

Live plants you may have luck growing in low light are: java ferns, java moss, anubias, crypts, to name a few

Good luck! :D Sounds like a good plan with a few minor alternations

[Gemini]

Welcome to the AC!!
First off - thumbs up on the fishless cycle. Much less stressful for you and the fishies.
Few Comments:
- your filter is only rated for 30G. The general rule with filters is to look for one approx 6-10 x your gallons. So you need a bigger filter.
- Your substrate sounds good - but if you go the loaches they prefer sand. Especially these guys.
- Some nice low light plants include java fern, some anubias, java moss
- Algae doesnt' become a problem in a properly managed tank

Now to your stocking plans:
- GBRs are very sensitive about water parameters (I've just learnt this! They are not for a new tank!)
- Your right about the pakistani loaches - too big
- I think you would be better off with gouramis
- No chance with the angel sorry. The tank height is really important as otherwise they end up with bent fins. They also restrict you a bit in other fish choices as they like to eat anything that will fit in their mouth. Remember they are a cichlid....
Good luck and enjoy your new tank
Turkey beat me to the post :P

[Wild Turkey]

Good call on the angel gemmi, i forgot to mention it completely even after making a mental note

No angels at all in the 20 i agree. I may have beat you but your post was better :D

[Gemini]

I may have beat you but your post was better :D

Yay I win. Hehehehehe.
Great minds post alike

[berserker]

Thanks for the tips guys, though I'm a little disappointed about my filter size now, given I've already bought it and had it running a few days. I wish I had have gone for the 50 or 70 model (or wish I had have posted earlier!). Perhaps as I near capacity I'll stick a small internal filter in to help it out?? That might help down the bottom too...

I certainly had some doubts about the angelfish...might have to wait for a bigger tank one day!

[Wild Turkey]

Thanks for the tips guys, though I'm a little disappointed about my filter size now, given I've already bought it and had it running a few days. I wish I had have gone for the 50 or 70 model (or wish I had have posted earlier!). Perhaps as I near capacity I'll stick a small internal filter in to help it out?? That might help down the bottom too...

I certainly had some doubts about the angelfish...might have to wait for a bigger tank one day!

You could just grab a filter rated for 10 or 20 gallons and run both, if thats any help.

[Gemini]

Thanks for the tips guys, though I'm a little disappointed about my filter size now, given I've already bought it and had it running a few days. I wish I had have gone for the 50 or 70 model (or wish I had have posted earlier!). Perhaps as I near capacity I'll stick a small internal filter in to help it out?? That might help down the bottom too...
!

MMM unfortunately not having a big enough filter will affect how many fish you can keep and how much maintenance you will have to do. Another option is to get another one the same size and run the both. The advantage of doing it like this is you have back up if something goes wrong with one of them.
Also - one of the benefits of a fishless cycle is you can stock more quickly. So you will reach capacity soon after your cycle finishes. Otherwise if you do not add enough fish the bacteria built up will die because there isn't the food to feed it.

[mac]

You stocking looks good, alone with a few minor adjustments like WT and Gemini has stated.

As for a small internal filter I would recommend a Fluval 2plus for the job you want.

Good luck, and your plan sounds great.

mac

[Ashlea]

Yip, just grab another filter. I have two running on my tank at the mo. Better to have more then less.
I am also planning on schooling fish and then two gouramis. Very very excited! We need pics when you have it up and running.