Suggestion for new aquarium setup

[nish]

Thanks everyone for your valuable suggestions ..

So, as per suggestions I have following options:

- Guppies
- Cardinal Tetras
- Harlequin Rasbora
- Panda Corydoras
- Bristlenose Plecostomus
- Dwarf Gourami

Are all these compatible with each other ??
What combinations out of above list are good ?? And in what numbers ??
Are neon tetras or, glow light tetras compatible with them ??

[ameliaaahx]

Thanks Steeler!

Hi Nish. :) Yes, these species are all compatible and Glowlight tetras are also compatible. Neons are compatible too but look almost exactly the same as Cardinal Tetras so not much point having both!

Although they are all compatible, your tank is not big enough for all of these species. Can you start off by telling us how large the footprint of your tank is? That's the width and length of your tank we need. :) Let's work it out.

I would suggest you pick either 2 schools of fish, or 1 school and 1 "feature" fish. The Panda Cories will work either way, and the Bristlenose Pleco with also work although you will need some driftwood in your tank as it is an important part of their diet. You could probably get away with adding a few MALE (no female) guppies either way.

So either:

- 1 Dwarf Gourami (must only keep one as they are territorial)
- 15-20 Cardinal Tetras OR Harlequin Rasbora OR Glowlight Tetra
- 6-8 Panda Corydoras
- 1 Bristlenose Plecostomus

OR

- 12 Cardinal Tetras OR Glowlight Tetras
- 12 Harlequin Rasbora OR Glowlight Tetras
- 6-8 Panda Corydoras
- 1 Bristlenose Plecostomus

Just in case you misunderstood me, those fish I listed aren't your only options. There are many other fish which would work in your tank. Those are just a few I thought you might like.


Not sure if anyone else has mentioned it, but are you familiar with cycling a tank?

[nish]

I have planned 30inch*15inch*18inch tank ..

I will visit the LFS and see which kinds are available and fit my budget and will decide accordingly.

i was looking at "andreaph" 46g tank .. He has 46 gal fw tank with black skirt tetras, neon tetras, spotted cory catfish, white cloud minnow, cherry barbs, danios, sunburst platys, guppies, snails & 4 amano shrimp. Snails and shrimps are hardly available at my place ryt now, may I know how many of each type u having in this tank, so that I can also decide on similar lines.

Thanks

[imma24]

I have planned 30inch*15inch*18inch tank ..

I will visit the LFS and see which kinds are available and fit my budget and will decide accordingly.

i was looking at "andreaph" 46g tank .. He has 46 gal fw tank with black skirt tetras, neon tetras, spotted cory catfish, white cloud minnow, cherry barbs, danios, sunburst platys, guppies, snails & 4 amano shrimp. Snails and shrimps are hardly available at my place ryt now, may I know how many of each type u having in this tank, so that I can also decide on similar lines.

Thanks

1st of all - I'm a she LOL
2nd - don't go by the stocking in my tank - I stocked my tank before I knew it's better to stick with 1 or 2 types of fish instead of several different species. I would have gotten more like 2 large schools for my tank and some cory catfish.

I knew nothing when I got my tank and all the equipment - picked fish I thought were compatible (they are actually but there are too many species). After I started picking out fish, I discovered this forum and learned what is best for different types of fish - getting 5 or 6 types of fish is NOT the way to go and for the size tank you are looking to buy, you don't have enough room anyway.

Live bearing fish are good as long as they are all males (so no babies) and tetras get along with each other but they need to stay small, hence the recommendations above. Corys are a nice bottom dweller.

[Goes to 11!]

I have planned 30inch*15inch*18inch tank ..

I will visit the LFS and see which kinds are available and fit my budget and will decide accordingly.

Good plan.

You are now planning a 35G tank and amelias stocking plans above would still be absolutely fine although you will be able to bump the numbers up slightly.

As andrea alluded to; Larger numbers but fewer types of fish are better because the fish act more natural. Smaller fish in pairs or trios are often hiding due to the discomfort and stress from not being in a group of their own. It's a security thing.

[fishmommie]

++ to Andrea, Amelia and 850R
I, too, started out wanting every possible variety of fish I could have in my tank and have since learned that 2 or 3 nice schools is much more natural, prettier and better for the fish. They have given you excellent advice and some very good options.
and may I say - good for you for coming here and then for listening to this good advice the forum members have taken the time to give you.

Also - I'll also restate: have you thought about how you are going to cycle your tank? with or without fish? there are instructions in the beginners thread, under cycling that will be of great help to you and your fish

Good luck!

[nish]

Thanks again for all suggestions. Yestarday, i ordered aquarium of size 30*15*15 with oxygen pump, power head filter, heater etc. i will be getting same in2-3 days.

I am planning for fishless cycling with pure amonia but little confused about it. First, Pure amonia is not available here at LFS. Where else can i get it? Fertiliser shops also sell amonia for soil. Will that work?
Secondly, i dont have test kit. So how much amonia should be mixed in tank of this size to read 4-5ppm. Nearly, how much days it should take for amonia to decrease to zero.
Third, Some have recomended partial weekly water changes while others has discouraged it. Bit confusing at times.

Also, tell me what extra precautions can i take to make cycling with fish a success? If its only regular water changes and little prime can do the trick. Then i can take the risk of cycling with fish. LFS guys keep telling that you dont need to be so worried in freshwater tanks and that too if you keeping tetra and guppies, they are hardy and can easily survive. Is it true?

Thanks !!

[steeler1]

Guppys are very hardy but only a few tetra's are. Biggest thing with a cycling with fish is go slow and add a few at a time.

There are pleanty of people that can put this in better words than me. I know what works for me and don't argue with people on this subject, kind of like politics.

[ameliaaahx]

Nish -- I'm confused. You said at first you wanted to cycle fishless and then you later said you wanted to cycle with fish. Which is it? I highly recommend fishless. I have cycled with fish before (due to impatience because I wanted fish sooner) and found it to be an awful experience. I would not recommend it.

Second, pure ammonia is available at most hard-ware stores, usually in the cleaning department.

Third, I cannot stress enough how much you need a test kit. It's not an optional extra, it's necessary to ensure you are actually successful at keeping fish alive and happy. There is no set amount to add and no set time frame it tanks to convert ammonia. You will not know without a test kit.

[steeler1]

+1 on the test kit. I thought I was invincible for years with only a pH test.