Hi...

**TheDon** · 08-05-2007, 10:20 PM

Hello.. I joined this forum and some others for the aquarium keeping hobby..

Sometime next week I'm going to go pick up a 30 gallon tank and associated goods as that is the only size that will fit in the space I have. It is better than the 5 gallon I have now with my pleco, koi, and fan tail goldfish. I didn't know about the 1" per gallon rule. Thankfully they are still alive after a month

30 gallons with a sand substrate( getting mixed reviews but I like the look of sand better). I know about the nitrogen cycle and will be doing it of course. I just dont know what to decorate the tank with as well as populate it. I will be getting rid of the goldfish ... I do not like him... and probably the koi will go to my neighbor.

Also.. I dont know what I should put in my tank..

I know since it will be sand I need some Malaysian Trumpet Snails.(they don't add to the equation do they?). I think some form of shrimp would be cool.

Tetra's, otto's, .. what else and which specific ones?

**tropfish** · 08-05-2007, 10:26 PM

i'm glad your getting rid of the koi, that would definatly not work in a 30g. thats a good size to start with, just one thing. The 1g per 1in of fish rule is only accurate for fish that get a couple inches long. It that worked thatt would be like putting a foot ling oscar in a 12g tank, which would definatly not work. Your stocking density is dependant on what fish you want to get because of things like agression and space needed.

that being said, welcome to a.c.! theres alot to learn here and i look forward ot having you around!

**TheDon** · 08-05-2007, 11:10 PM

I've been reading alot..

Are there any other types of snails I can use to dig around in my sand.. I was reading about the MTS and they tend to reproduce and take over a tank... I don't want to have to deal with that..

You have a tank that is just about the same size as the one I am getting.. hows it working for you

I want fish that are happy )

**troy** · 08-05-2007, 11:24 PM

Welcome to the @c. Mystery snail ands trap-door snails are large snails that are fun to watch when they are moving, but I don't if they dig around in the sand. Neons,Cardinals,black neons, black neons, rummy nose, all those tetras are suitable. You could have a group of around 8 of one of those kinds of tetras, a dwarf gourami or a pair and then a few ottos.

**tropfish** · 08-05-2007, 11:50 PM

i really enjoy my 29g tank. its a nice size, but not to big (although i would like a larger tank lol) and maintenence isn't too difficult in the smaller tanks either.

**RobbieG** · 08-06-2007, 12:25 AM

Welcome to AC!

**TheDon** · 08-06-2007, 12:42 AM

I think tomorrow I might venture out to lakeland and check out this fish store I found on yellowbook

Nolans Aquaruims if anyone has heard of it.. I can probably ask the pro's there what I should do..