(need tips) get me started

**youngbreedy15** · 01-04-2012, 04:55 AM

I have my tank on getting used to its daily use, with its filter and the oxygen on every day i feed it 2 tiny pebbles of fish food. In a week when my 14 gallon tank is ready for fish i am Planning on getting Guppies to breed (a male and a female) and 3 neon tetras ( a little school ). After a while i will buy a Pleco, which should i get? Are live plants worth it or should i get plastic plants, do i have to get wood for my pleco? Please i beg, Somebody give me tips

**Trillianne** · 01-04-2012, 05:11 AM

14 gallons is a bit small for the majority of pleco species. Generally even for the smaller sizes 20G Long would be a better size.

You could do some alternate bottom feeders though.. perhaps a small otto school or some pygmy or habrosus corys would be a better option.

**DougStanley** · 01-04-2012, 06:21 AM

I recommend doing some reading in the plants section if the forum before looking into buying any plants.

Welcome to AC

**Lady Hobbs** · 01-04-2012, 01:53 PM

Actually, with the rate that guppies breed, I would suggest having this tank for a guppy only tank. There's no reason to get a school of neons unless you can get at least a full school of them.

I'd do a simple route and get some hornwort or java fern and just allow it to float in the tank for your guppies to hide in. That way you won't have the expense of upgrading lights in order to grow plants.

Simple is always good until experience level increases. You need no pleco in that size tank. A couple apple snails might be nice, tho? Check on the links about cycling the tank.

**fishguy66** · 01-04-2012, 02:01 PM

That tank is way too small for plecos, including "dwarf" ones like a clown pleco. Even the little guys put out a tremendous bio-load. If you want a scavenger, a couple of cories or otos will do the trick. But always add fish SLOWLY to a newly established tank, allowing your biological filter time to grow more bacteria. What type of filtration do you have on this tank?

**icefreeze57** · 01-04-2012, 03:07 PM

yeah if your just breeding guppies then not even sure if you want tetras or bottom feeders in it... More things to eat the fry.

Also the plants that sit on top, as well as lining the bottom with plants (live or fake, and doesn't have to be high, you make it kinda look like grass) for the babies to hide in is a good idea

**imma24** · 01-04-2012, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by youngbreedy15

I have my tank on getting used to its daily use, with its filter and the oxygen on every day i feed it 2 tiny pebbles of fish food. In a week when my 14 gallon tank is ready for fish i am Planning on getting Guppies to breed (a male and a female) and 3 neon tetras ( a little school ). After a while i will buy a Pleco, which should i get? Are live plants worth it or should i get plastic plants, do i have to get wood for my pleco? Please i beg, Somebody give me tips

I assume you a feeding your tank fish food to produce ammonia in order to cycle it - do not assume it will be ready for any fish in a week - are you checking your water parameters? Only by doing that and knowing what the readings should be, will you know whether you can add fish.

And I would take the advice given here regarding stocking this size tank.

**ldoerr** · 01-04-2012, 06:18 PM

If you get guppies you need a m:f ratio of AT LEAST 1:2, better is 1:3. You need to have lots of females compared to males otherwise the males will harase the females. If you go with neons you need to get at least 5 or 6. 3 is not a proper school. To me that does not count as a school.

I would skip the pleco as well. You would be suprised as to how much fun a snail can be. I especially love the Gold Mystery Snails. They have great personalities.

**youngbreedy15** · 01-04-2012, 07:55 PM

from what ive read 2 people said snails are good and most have told me that not to get a pleco for my small tank :) well im going to get guppies to breed with some plants for them to hide in is that a good tank for 15g with like 5 guppies? 3 female 2 male? :) thanks guys AC has been pretty interesting and i will start learning about fish thanks all <3

**youngbreedy15** · 01-04-2012, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by andreahp

I assume you a feeding your tank fish food to produce ammonia in order to cycle it - do not assume it will be ready for any fish in a week - are you checking your water parameters? Only by doing that and knowing what the readings should be, will you know whether you can add fish.

And I would take the advice given here regarding stocking this size tank.

i havent checked my water but i am waiting till its past the foggy stage after 3 more days im assumed its going to be ready for my fish