Determined

I am new to this forum, so if I am posting this thread in the wrong place, my apologies. I was hoping to get the opinions of some of the more knowledgeable members on my plan for a new tank.

first, I must say that this is actually a tank that I've had for a few years, but have not had much success with. Every time I've tried to start it back up again, the fish would die out within 3-4 months and I would get discouraged. this time, I am determined to have a successful tank and thus have studied the correct methods of cycling and introducing new fish.

Currently, I am at the end of fishless cycling a normal, rectangular 20 gal. tank. I would like to systematically add the following fish to create a peaceful community tank. first, I will add 6 scissor tail rasboras (for their hardiness to bout with the inevitable spike in the cycle), 2 cory cats, 2 angel fish and 4 silver dollars. Does this sound like a good mix of fish? can anyone see any potential problems with this group?

Also, I have noticed that since I initially filled the tank, the pH has run pretty high, but is consistent. It is at 8.2. Will this be a problem for any of the fish that I would like to get?

Thanks, in advance, for any help received.

Tom

First off, let me welcome you to the forum. Second, there wouldn't be anything wrong with what you want, except, the tank would have to be larger than a 20 gallon. What are the other readings for the water? What is the pH of the water you use to add when you change the water? This is how it would break down;
rasboras= 6*2" = 12"/gallon
corys= 2*2" = 4"/gallon
angelfish= 2*5-6" = 10-12"/gallon
silver dollars= 4*6" = 24"/gallon
total = 40-42"/gallon
You only have a 20 gallon. Maybe a school of 6 rasboras, 3 corys(since they like to school), and 3 oto cats(algae eaters that like to school). Do you reasearch on them and let us know what your new choices are. Sorry if it isn't what you wanted, but I am only thinking of the fish and how they would all get aggressive in such a small(to them) tank. And sorry if I jump from one thing to another. Hope it helps.
Tom

Determined

The pH of the tap water actually gives a fluctuating reading of anywhere from 7.6-8.4. After multiple 15-25% water changes, the tank pH stays at 8.2 So, that pH will not harm the fish I'm thinking of putting in the tank?

I had no idea that silver dollars got that big. How quickly do fish tend to grow? The reason I'm asking is that I would like to get a 50-75 gal. tank in about a year, if I can prove to myself that I can keep a tank viable for that long. could I possibly get by having the rasboras, corys and angelfish and movinge the angelfish into a bigger tank in about a year?

Thanks for the welcome and advice.

Tom

Fish tend to grow by the size of their tank(too an extent), and by how much you feed them. I don't think you would be able to support the angels, rasboras, and corys in the same tank at the same time. Sorry.
Tom

Determined

It is sad to hear because my fiencee likes angelfish so much, but so be it. That is why I came here in the first place. To find out what will and will not work. thanks for the help, Tom.

Isabella

Hey Determined (I hope you really are! LOL ) and welcome to Fish Lore

A higher pH is not a problem in a freshwater tank AS LONG AS it is stable. A stable pH is MUCH better than a constantly fluctuating one (this is why commercial products adjusting the pH are NOT recommended, as they make the pH fluctuate). Most commercially bred freshwater aquarium fish will adapt to a much wider range of pH than they would have in nature. Wild-caught fish would have a problem with a pH much different from the pH they had in nature, but since most fish sold are commercially bred, you have nothing to worry about.

I am sorry to say this but Angelfish and Silver Dollars are too large for a 20 gallon tank. Scissortail Rasboras, however, are much better for a 20 gallon tank than Angels and Silver Dollars If you want them, have them in a group of at least 5 - 6. These fish grow to around 3" in size, so if you have 5 - 6 of them, that is a total of 15 - 18" of fish. And that's pretty much all you can have in this tank if you have these fish. If you want more fish, you should choose some very small species, which will allow you to have some more fish. Besides, I am not 100% sure but I don't know if it's a good idea to mix Angels with Silver Dollars (though I may be wrong).

Lastly, when you begin to stock your tank, do with with 1 - 2 fish at a time. Adding too many fish at once will give you an Ammonia and/or Nitrite spike.

Determined

Well, just figured I'd share my final decision on which lucky (or unlucky) fish will be joining the zoo I have here at my house. I got 2 male baby blue dwarf gouramis over the weekend. they are doing well and I can already see their different personalities. the slightly larger of the two likes to people watch while the smaller enjoys riding the wave of bubbles coming from the bubble wand. They have been getting along well with no aggresion towards another. Hopefully that will continue when I add the rest of the fish.

After I am certain that no mini-cycle will happen, I will add (in stages) 3 panda corys and 3 oto cats. thanks for the tip on the otos, Tom. I would have overlooked those little guys if you hadn't tipped me off to them.

COBettaCouple

welcome to fishlore and best of luck with your new fish.