jlp3rd

im sure this has been answered time and time again, but didn't have any luck finding on the site.

I just got a new 20 gal tropical tank kit and have been doing some research on what i need to do, but im still a little lost on what i need to do as far as how many fish i can have. The main thing im looking to do is to make it a community tank. i know about top dwellers, mid,and low, etc..

i know about the cycling process, but im not sure what type of air stones to use if any and how many fish i can put in. these are the types of fish that im looking at. let me know if these are good combinations for a freshwater tropical 20 gal tank: 6 lemon tetras, cherry barbs,rasboras or similar type of fish(for cycling),1-2 drawf gauormai's(incorrect spelling i believe) and 1-2 bottom feeders(oto's, or Chinese alga 's), once i get the bacteria level/algae established.

is this to many? or can i have more. want to have as many as i can as a community once everything is established so i guess im trying to keep the fish at no more then 2-3in full grown..

And I'm not sure I can have southern American fish with south china sea etc..

I'm going to have a some what darker decor(rocks,etc) so I want bright active fish for the most part. the tank will be set up as a man made natural look

sorry about the what seems like random comments/ideas, but had to type fast

All replies are welcome. or if i need to refine my questions please advise. let me add that this is my first aquarium....

Thank you in advance for your help

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore!!!!!

seeing how you know about the cycle process, im going to suggest tetra safestart, which has the bacteria needed for the cycle...cycling with fish without it, is way more work and much more dangerious to the fish dealing with the ammonia and nitrites....if you cant find it, theres a cycle with ammonia method thats much safer for the fish....

as far as stocking after its cycled, you could go with your 6 tetras, 1 dwarf gourami, (two DG might be too much for the 20 gal and them to claim a territory) and maybe 4-5 ottos...that sounds like a fun tank!!!

jlp3rd

thank you!!!

And thanks for the quick response. yea guess im just in some what of a rush to see some little guys swimming their hearts out.

so if im reading this correctly their is chemical(tetra safestart) i can purchase that speeds up the cycle process without fish correct?

and whats another good school fish at are a bright color and energetic/fun to watch? just like to have as many options as possible. and do i have to go with the otto's? is their another bottom feeder/algae eater what would work with that combo?

and as far as a air pump/stone. is their a particular one that i need? just a basic for a 20gal? and or do i even need one sense i have the aqueon deluxe kit aquarium 20?

Shawnie

no the safestart is used with fish ...or without (just need an ammonia source if you dont use fish)

theres glofish glofish.jpg for some schooling colors....

as far as airstones, I find the wands work better than the actual stones or tubes...p_rd_120809_17542D.jpg but each person has their own preference ....

ottos are great for your size tank and the others you want to stock with

Barbrella

The most common mistake that new fish owners make is to overcrowd their tanks. This usually results in many problems and often the tank is given up. So you don't want to do that!

Here's what I have in my 20 gal. as an example. It's very colourful, active yet peaceful:

5 cherry barbs (2 males, 3 females)
5 neon tetras
1 powder blue Dwarf gourami.

You can also add 4 or 5 otos after the tank is well established and there's some algae growth started.

Most other algae eaters will grow too large or be too aggressive for that size tank.
One possibility instead of the otos could be an albino Bristlenose pleco. They seem to grow very slowly but be warned that they do make a big mess due to their constant eating so you must never skip water changes.

For the air pump, I really like the "Whisper 20" since it's completely silent. You can use whatever kind of airstone you choose.

jlp3rd

thanks barbella and shawnie. you two have helped a lot.

with this basic combination how much/ratio of the tank needs to have plant life(fake) and the same with rocks/cave. as of right now i ordered: 2 large(10in) corkscrew plants, 2 medium(7in) corkscrew, 1 pk of assorted foreground plants(small) and 2 betta evergreen(just liked the way they looked) i need to pick out some good rocks(darker color)

is that to many? or do i need more? if have suggestions on a particular type let me know. like i said in my first post im going for the man made natural look if that makes any sense =)

Shawnie

im no good with plants...I kill all aquatic ones but java moss LOL sorry...cant wait to see everything set up tho!! heres a great link for plants www.plantgeek.com ..alot of info on lighting and other requirements

jlp3rd

sorry i meant to suggest that the plants will be fake...

once i have have every thing else down, then i will move to real aquatic plant life.

just need to know how many is to many, so I have enough open area for the lil guys...

i think i may need a few more so they can have there territories established. but that may be done with larger rocks to correct?

sorry im one of those people if im going to do it, im going to do it right =)

Shawnie

dont be sorry..thats what the forum is for

once the tank is cycled, and once you figure out what fish you are going to stock, you can ask whats needed to help the particular fish feel safe

Barbrella

IF you go with tetras, cherry barbs, a dwarf gourami and otos/BN pleco, you don't need to worry about territories, as none of these fish are aggressive or or territorial with each other. The worst that might happen with a Dwarf Gourami is that it may chase other fish out of it's way - nothing to worry about.

I suggest a nice piece of driftwood if you decide to get a little pleco or otos - they really like it for hiding and chewing. You could also start a bunch of Java fern on it to get a start at growing real plants!

Tetras appreciate open swimming space, so you could leave an open area at the front middle of the tank for them.

catfishlover123

Well, you can use some zebra danios to start up the cycle, but I would rather go with tetra safestart.

Shawnie

cycling with fish isnt nice it hurts their feelings

Nate McFin

Don't be afraid of live plants. They really aren't that difficult to keep. Just a little research to find out the ones that your light and water conditions will handle. Find the right plants and it is tough to go wrong. You fish and water conditions will benefit from them as well.
PS I agree with Shawnie about the Danios. Use TSS instead...much nice to the fish.

jlp3rd

thank you for all of your guys help. I think that i will go with the tetra safestart...is that just for tetras?(super newbie question im sure)

and i may just try live plants( I do have a green thumb that i just may have to utilize and they look better) do you put plants in as soon as you start cycling?

what do you guys think about these combo of fish. i read a few other places that these are good combos and are all in the same watertemp/pH etc:

6- platies, swordtails, mollies, or guppies
4- dwarf rainbow fish
2- flame gourami's
2- otto's (add once tank is established)

or

3- kuhli loaches (very cool fish)
1- drawf gourami
6- tetra (rummy nose's most likely) havent desided
5- marble hatchet fish (add once tank is established) are these good bottom feeders?

or can i mix any of these together? I'm really set on getting the gourami's so.. but like i stated in my first post, im trying to get as many fish in the tank without making an uncomfortable habitat for them.

Shawnie

tetra safestart is made by tetra...not the type of fish its good for

I like your first setup but would drop a few of the platy/molly/guppies to 4 ...and maybe just 1 gourami in a 20 gal so you dont have fighting/territorial issues...but thats me

prairielilly

Hi there,

Remember to consider the ADULT size of the fish you're thinking of putting in. What we usually suggest is to start with the GUIDELINE of one inch of fish per gallon of water (so your 20g tank = 20 fish inches) and then play with that, ask other members' opinions as you're doing. It's not a hard-fast rule but it's a good place to start. For instance, by this guideline your first setup is overstocked, as platies and guppies get up to 2.5-3" and mollies and swords get up to 4", so that first set fills up your tank right there. That said, you could go with smaller quantities of some fish (although schooling fish are happiest in groups). For a 20g ONE dwarf gourami is best - these fish need to stake out a territory, and more than one works in bigger tanks where they both have room to do that and can't always see each other, but a 20g is a little too small for that.

In my 20g I have one dwarf gourami, four cherry barbs (planning on adding another 2) and three panda cories. It's got lots of activity and everyone gets along well. The dwarf gourami is a wonderful fish, he has so much personality and always makes me laugh. The cherry barbs are very active and semi-schooling, and a really pretty fish. The pandas (and all cories actually) are like little puppy dogs and always have to be together. All great fish!

This link may help you too, it has some good suggestions for common setups.

So far as decor, just make sure there's some open area for swimming around, some plants (makes them feel safe), some decor items (same, they like a place to hide).

jlp3rd

yea shawnie said I should drop 2 schoolers(so 4 of either the platies,swordtails, mollies or guppies)haven't decided on those, and 1 of the gourami's

what would be a good m/f ratio for the schoolers? 1/3?

and which of the 4 schooling fish would you guys choose? mind you i would like to have a harmonious,lively bright fish colored tank for most of my decor will be a darker color.

thanks again for all the great tips....