Mari

Hi
I started my 20 gallon tank just about a month ago with 2 cardinal tetras, Billy and Zeze, and they are at 80 degrees F. At first they were a little stressed out and would not eat but now they are extremely happy (it seems), eating flakes, frozen bloodworms, and freeze-dried brine shrimp (only feed them twice a day and one type of food per meal). I don't have any real plants, just plastic ones. I do weekly 20% water changes (use tap water and conditioner to get rid of chlorine) and check pH, ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite levels also weekly. I love my little fishies but now would like to get more fishies... maybe even a african dwarf frog or two. I was reading that the cardinals need to school so I was thinking of getting 3 or 4 more cardinals or other little tropical community fish that will school with Billy and Zeze. I was also told to get an algae eater. Being new to all this, I have a million questions!! First, how many hours a day should my fishies have the light on? I usually turn it on at night (which I am guessing is not good) and leave it on from 9pm to 1am. And now that I am getting new fishies, would you provide me with some info on other fish that will school or be happy with my cardinals? Or what other fishies would my cardinals be happy with? I know that 20 gallon is not that big so I need them to be kind on the small side. I am also getting two frogs so I need to take that into consideration. Also, should I get an algae eater? I haven't had any algae problems yet, however my tank has only been up and running for 6 weeks or so (only about 4 weeks with fish in it)... and who know what the future awaits. Please please if you have any info that you think I could find useful, reply to my post. I would truly appreciate it since I just want to make my fishies as happy as possible.*

Neville

Hi Mari, Welcome to fishlore!!!

i don't think an algae eater is necessary for a 20 gallon, since u don't have any live plants, i got plastic plants too and i don't have any algae eater in my 75g. u can keep a school of otos (otocinclus catfish) if u like, they r excellent algae cleaners and they grow up to only 2". u can keep your lights on from 8-10 hours, but if u plant live plants then u have to maintain some rules. Yeah, tetras r schooling fish, any other species of tetras will school with cardinals, u have to keep at least 6 of them. u can keep barbs too, though they don't school with tetras but they r schooling fish. i don't know much about frogs.

Good Luck!!!!!

Butterfly

Since your tank has been up and running as long as it has I think you could and should add three or four more cardinals. they will be stay happier with buddies like them. as for the frogs I would wait a couple of weeks and let the beneficial bacteria catch up with the addition of more cardinals. If you don't have algae you don't need a pleco or other algae eater.
If you have live plants your lights need to be on 10-12 hours a day. otherwise 8-10 would be good.
Just take the additions slow and easy and you will be ok. Research anything you want to add and make sure they have the same needs.
carol

Mari

Thanks Neville,
I am really greatful because my only information source is the internet and I know I can't trust everything I read there. How many fishes would you recommend for a 20 gallon tank? I know about one inch per gallon rule.. and have read is better to use the one inch per 3 or 4 gallon rule. Is this true? Right now my tank looks so empty with only my two cardinals... will adding just 3 more small fish help it look any better? I am still unsure of wht fish to get, I should go window shopping to Petsmart I guess.Thanks *

Mari

Great thanks for the help! I have a stupid question for you though... would it be better for them to have the light on in the morning or at night. I actually leave it on at night because that's when I am home and love how the tank looks with the light on.. but if it is better for them to leave the light on during the day, I'll start doing that. Sorry for the stupid question.

Neville

U R Welcome!!!! That is what FISHLORE is all about, we try to help each other all the time when anyone of us needs suggestions. Well, i don't like to overcrowd tanks, u should give the fish enough space so that they can swim comfortably....even if it looks empty. i think mixture of 10-12 tetras and barbs will be enough for your 20g......one more thing....u have to study a lot before u buy any new species of fish....u should choose compatible tank mates for your tank otherwise there will be trouble later on. barbs and Tetras r nice tank mates, don't keep larger fish with them.

Neville

Well, Butterfly though this question is for u, i would like to give my opinion, i think the best time is
5 p.m.-1 a.m. because this is the time when i come back from daily job and enjoy my fish with lights on until i go to sleep. i think evening and night is the right time to keep the lights on.

Mari

I'm really happy there is a place like fishlore, very helpful and knowleadgeable people here! you are right about studying the fish I need to buy... do you know if my cardinals will get along with guppies? do guppies school? I saw some really pretty guppies online but not sure if they would be good for my cardinals. Thanks Nevile, you're great

Butterfly

Personally I think as long as the lighting period is consistant it would be ok. For instance you don't want to leave it on today then leave it on tomorrow night. Decide which is best for you then try that. (by the way there are no stupid questions)
Carol

Mari

Thanks Carol, that's really helpful information. Do you think having 6 cardinal tetras, 3 barbs and a african dwarf frog in my tank would be too much for a 20 gallon tank? Are 3 barbs too small a number for them to school? I really don't feel like upgrading to a bigger tank just because I did not find it that simple to get my 20 gal going, very time-consuming (although I admit it is very gratifying), but if I have to... I wonder how much more work (and money) would it be to upgrade my tank from 20 to 40 or 55 gallons...?

Butterfly

I think you could easily have 6 barbs but add one group of critters and then wait a couple of weeks to add the others.
Carol

Neville

Hey Mari, u can keep 6 tetras and 6 barbs and a frog easily in your 20g, it would be fine. guppies do not school and i don't think guppies will look nice with tetras. feel free to ask if u have any other question.....

Mari

You guys are great really, thanks so much for all your help. I will go buy 4 cardinal tetras today or tomorrow and next week will add my 6 barbs and in two weeks, if everything is well, I will add my froggie! Thanks and will let you know if I encounter any problems.

Butterfly

Welcome!!

Mari

Hey guys! I went to Petsmart and they said I should not get barbs and cardinals together. They said that the barbs were semi-agressive and that the cardinals should be with other community fish.
What else could I get then? Mmm.... I don't understand why they would not let me even buy them... but I guess they are doing their work if whta they told me is true. What you think?

armadillo

I have no idea about these fish, but if it's true, then these guys need a medal. For once, a fishstore that actually cares about its stock rather than making more money.

Mari

Yes you're right about that... but both neville and butterfly, who seem to have a lot of experience, suggested putting these two different species together so I am not sure what to do... I hope one of them replies and tells me that the people at petsmart were wrong and I can go ahea and buy mi fishies... i really want them today! Iam soooo excited to get more! only have 2 cardinal tetras and they seem to need the company of more cardinals at least.... but what else should i get? i need heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelp!!

Neville

Barbs r semi-aggressive, yes, but they only harass fish that have large fins, like goldfish, angels, bettas; but i've never heard that barbs have attacked or harmed tetras, barbs r schooling fish; if u keep enough barbs in a tank (at least 6), they will never disturb other fish, many of our fishlore members r keeping these 2 species for a long time. well, i think, i've heard for the first time that a fishstore warned a customer about fish compatibility, don't know what they have in mind!!!!!!!