South American Community (almost)

[steeler1]

Do you have any prior experiance with aquariums?

[Northerly]

For filtration on my 20 long i use an AC20 and an eheim 2211. I would recommend you get a slightly larger AC if you go this route, mine was free so i didn't have a choice as to what size it was.

EDIT: what kind of plants have you thought about? Also what sort of lighting will you use? Be sure to provide adequate lighting (approx. 1.5-2 watts per gallon for low-mid light plants)

[perfectgravity]

I don't have any experience this is my first time.

The AC70 looks good I think I will go with that one. Should I get rid of the activated carbon?

I have not had a chance to look at what types of plants yet. Some in the easy low light category.

So for a 20L with the AC 70 is this setup good:
2 Bolivian RAM (Microgeophagus altispinosa)
10 Cardinal Tetras (Paracheirodon axelrodi)
6 Panda Corydoras
4 Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata)

or is that too much?

Also I don't want to add them all at once. Which should I start with? (after the fishless cycle is complete)

[Northerly]

I personally would recommend an AC50, I use an AC70 on my 55 and 65 gallon tanks as back ups and the flow is pretty substantial, would probably be a bit too much.

[Goes to 11!]

I have not had a chance to look at what types of plants yet. Some in the easy low light category.

Here are some links in red that you might find useful as a starting point wrt plant research.

In a 20L I would also suggest an AC50 although in a standard 20 I have used an AC70 [temp & turned down]

[steeler1]

The reason I suggested the AC70 was for the biger bio-load, better safe than sorry, as 850R said you can always turn it down. I lot of new people buy just what is recommended by gal, this goes for heaters to.

With the AC70 your choice of stock would work for sure. Put the Cories in last. The reason I asked if you had any prior experiance is; that Cardinals are realy sensative to hard water and high Ph, so if I might suggest you stat with neons? They are almost as colorful Cardinals but a little more hardy (more tank bred ones) or if you have not seen them, Glowlight Tetras that are realy hardy. If your tanks cycled add one spieces at a time every two weeks.

Hope this helps.

[perfectgravity]

The reason I suggested the AC70 was for the biger bio-load, better safe than sorry, as 850R said you can always turn it down. I lot of new people buy just what is recommended by gal, this goes for heaters to.

With the AC70 your choice of stock would work for sure. Put the Cories in last. The reason I asked if you had any prior experiance is; that Cardinals are realy sensative to hard water and high Ph, so if I might suggest you stat with neons? They are almost as colorful Cardinals but a little more hardy (more tank bred ones) or if you have not seen them, Glowlight Tetras that are realy hardy. If your tanks cycled add one spieces at a time every two weeks.

Hope this helps.

How about Gold Neon Tetras?

[steeler1]

Sure they are just a color morph of regular Neons

[perfectgravity]

Here are some links in red that you might find useful as a starting point wrt plant research.

In a 20L I would also suggest an AC50 although in a standard 20 I have used an AC70 [temp & turned down]

Cool thanks for the link.

If I go with the low light easy plants all i need is nutritional substrate (eco-complete) and no CO2 injection. Correct? That way it will be balanced?

[perfectgravity]

Another question that might seem obvious

There is a lot of info about what to feed each fish, but how much do I feed them?

Since there will be multiple types of fish in the tank will they all eat, or will some steal the food from others?