peacemaker92

Hi,

I've set up my aquarium 2 weeks ago and it is now in the cycle process. So I have another few weeks more until it SHOULD finish (I hope, can't wait to put fish in). Well, I'm a person who likes to plan things early. So now I'm in the process of planning what fish to put in my aquarium.

I've already made up my mind to buy a school of Cherry Barbs (thanks to Butters). But now I can't make up my mind whether I should put Serpae Tetras or Glowlight Tetras with the barbs. They're both nice fish and both interesting. I've asked my local aquarium stores on which tetra I should buy, but they're clueless! So I turn to Fishlore for help! YAY! Because it's the place where I get help and know anyone can help!

HatchetHaven

Well, I wouldn't say any. Why? Well, 6 Cherry barbs = 12" of fish. That leaveas around 5" to play around with. A school of Serpae's is 9" - so it's not wise to add another school. A glowlight school is 12". I think a Trio of male guppys would finish of that tank nicely!

Cherry barbs are some of the best fish out there IMO. Super hardy coolness!

Lucy

I'm partial to serpae, I have the short finned variety. They move quickly and have such interesting body movements.
But I think with the coloring of the cherry barbs, glo lights would give a good color contrast.

Nethan

Hi.. .. Well, serpae Tetra could be abit aggressive with smaller fishes when hungry or feeding time. Personal opinion, Glowlight is a better choice.

You may want to check out Harlequin Rasbora, Gold Barb, White Cloud Mountain Minnow. I have some in my 50 Gallon.. cute. Really bring life to your tank. Best to have them in a school of 5.

Barbrella

As mentioned, Serpaes grow rather large, so I would stick with smaller tetras such as the Glowlights you want.

Make sure you have plants and other cover for the cherry barbs, since they're rather shy and be sure to get at least 2 females for each male.

When I had a 15G, I kept 3 cherry barbs and 7 or 8 Neon tetras. This made a very lively,colourful and peaceful tank.

Also,you need to lower the temp in your tank to around 25/26C.

angelfish220

I vote glowlight!

HatchetHaven

I think perhaps if you are going to have both species, then Cherry barbs can survive in threesome's (I once had a male and female pair together in a tank, and although they are part of a school now, they lived for around 3 month like that!) so, 3 Cherrys and 6 Glowlights. 6 glowlights and 6 cherry barbs would be pretty bad overstocking.

peacemaker92

Alright! Cool! Thanks everyone! Glowlight tetras it is.

HatchetHaven

With all those red fish, you may want to make the aquascape of the tank non-red, if you know what I mean. I don't know why, but I'm attracted to red things and have ruined the look of more than one tank because I used to much red stuff!

Barbrella

Glowlights and cherries will really pop with a black substrate, green plants and black background on the tank.

peacemaker92

Well, my aquarium is covered with light brown gravel, marine background and lighted with blue UV light. Plants are in green, yellow and orange. Is that okay?

HatchetHaven

Should look OK - better than my 'Crimson disaster!'

peacemaker92

It can't be that bad! I'm sure it looks nice! Post some pictures?

HatchetHaven

Well, I'm an aquascaper and my 'Crimson disaster' was a Planted tank. I had to much Rottalla wallichii (in fact, I soon realiesed even a small amount of wallichii would look bad in this scape) so I just dumped the rottala (Nowhere else for it!) and it became the 'green and unfinished delight with a few red bits'. I DO NOT want to risk seriously embarrassing myself by posting pics until it's all grown out properly. Should take a few months.

peacemaker92

Oh ok. Well hope it'll grow well! Update me when you post them. Looking forward to see it!

I love to see planted aquariums. It gives that natural look or something. Thanks!

HatchetHaven

That's why I dedicate all my tanks to this miraculous art form. I can't wait to get aquascaping my new Betta tank! (7.5gal) Maybe you could try a few live plants in your tank? Anubias, Cryptocoryne, Hornwort, Java fern, Ancharis and Java moss are great and easy plants that shouldn't need fertilizing if you keep the light simple. Of course, if you want to grow more advance dspecies, (Like my 47gal) then you need to upgrade the lighting, get CO2 injection and fertilize the tank. Oh, and did I mention the high tech set ups go wrong much easier?

peacemaker92

Sounds like a good idea. But it's hard for me keeping live plants. I've kept alot before and they all died a few days after I bought and planted them. I even put fertilizers. I think it's the hot weather in my country, thats why my current aquarium now only stays at 30 degrees celcius eventhough I cool it but the temperature goes up again.

Well, the idea is great and thanks for the tips! I'll try to get a cool room to have a planted tank!

HatchetHaven

You probably bought varietys that needed an advanced set up. Believe me, only a tiny fraction of aquatic plants can be grown succesfully in a 'regular' tank - and those are the ones I just listed.