20G First Real Tank

[joelizzlepfp]

Hey everybody, this is my first post here. I'm looking into getting a 20G tank to put in my room, and I'm kinda lost on what to put in it. I know I want a school of like 8-9 Neon Tetras and preferably a betta fish, but thats optional if he won't fit in with everything else. I also know I want a snail or two instead of a pleco because of how big they get, but other than that, I'm lost as for what to put in. Any suggestions would be helpful.

[AussieJosh1996]

If you want some fish to help the snails with cleaning algae you could get some Otos as they are only small.
Welcome to the forum

[Cermet]

The first question you need to consider - are you doing a fishless cycle or fish based cycle for the filter? If fish based, this impacts the number/types you may end up with. Note that cycling a new filter takes four to six weeks. If this is new, read in the beginners section on cycling.

[wijnands]

Secondly.. just start with those 10 neons. See what happens after that.

Aquariums are not about instant gratification, you can take months or years to build your tank

[imma24]

If you want some fish to help the snails with cleaning algae you could get some Otos as they are only small.
Welcome to the forum

Hate to disagree with that advice but otos don't belong in a new tank and it's better to avoid the algae in the 1st place. Otos eat some types of algae but then once it's gone, you need to feed the ottos plus they need a school to be happy.
I agree with the advice about starting a tank with one type of fish and then seeing where to go from there.

[ScottishFish]

Welcome to the Forum I would agree with Andrea, ottos are a no no, they prefer a good current, lots of algae, and a big school.

I think you should read up on cycling (fishless is best), then stock it, in 20g a good option could be 20 neons (as they are so small and vulnerable a large school will make them feel better and give you more of a show) and perhaps a single bolivian ram?

As you said plecos are out for your tank really, I would suggest looking at Khuli loaches for bottom dwellers? I reckon 8 in a 20g would be acceptable, only get them after your tank is cycled and matured (been up and running with fish) for 3months though. Bottom dwellers are vulnerable in new tanks.

ScottishFish

[joelizzlepfp]

Hey everybody, thanks for the replies. I don't even have a tank yet, so this might be a few months before anything happens, but I wanted to have a plan in place before I did anything. So just making sure, do a fishless cycle, then put all 20 neons in there, then let the tank develop before adding anything else.

[icefreeze57]

you may not need snails, gotta see if algae starts to grow or not, in many cases they don't. Is the tank gonna be in direct sun light?

If you just want them because they seem cool you can place down algae wafers

[joelizzlepfp]

@ScottishFish I stopped by my LFS today on my way home from school just to look around. I saw some Coolie loaches. Are those the same as the Khulis you mentioned? If so how big do they get, because the ones I saw were about the same size as neons.

@icefreeze57 20G tanks are like 16 or 17 inches tall? It going to go under the window in my room which is like 15 inches above my dresser. And outside the window is a bush which blocks the light coming towards my window, so I might not need them, however I do like the looks of a few of them.

[Goes to 11!]

@ScottishFish I stopped by my LFS today on my way home from school just to look around. I saw some Coolie loaches. Are those the same as the Khulis you mentioned? If so how big do they get, because the ones I saw were about the same size as neons.

Same thing, You can find an article onsite about coolies in the tropical fish section of the menu to the left of this screen, More info is just clicks away.

Btw - If that bush is not an evergreen your blocked window will not be blocked anymore in winter.. Just something to consider.