Advice For A New 40 Gallon Tank

HI guys,

I plan to get a 42 Gallon [30'' L x 18'' W x 20'' H] tank (properly setup with flora, no fauna) from my LFS.

For Fauna, I'm planning for these (I won't be adding all of them in 1 go):
2 x Amano Shrimp (Cardina multidentata)
2 x Vampire Shrimp (Atya gabonensis)
2 x Golden Oto (Otocinclus affinis)
3 x Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)
3 x Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus)
5 x SterbaI Cory (Corydoras sterbai)
5 x Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya)
5 x Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi)
5 x Zebra Danio (Danio rerio)
5 x Harlequin Rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha)
5 x Clown Killifish (Pseudepiplatys annulatus)

Do you think this will be a good community tank? Any advises?

Other details:
- I'll be using a aquaclear 50 gallon filter + 1 Sponge filter (not sure on brand)
- I plan to use java moss in driftwood
- Tank floor will be mostly gravel with a small portion with white sand with shells
- Some random flat stones (some placed in way to make caves for hiding)

What should I use for flora? I do not want something that grows too fast and too big but should be a bit dense, so that it helps in hiding.

 

For flora, I believe the Anubias species are a viable option. While some grow big, they all grow very slowly, and have broad leaves for your fish cover.

 

Personally I would not do the zebra danios. They take up a lot of the tank in swimming around everywhere

Have you though about a background? They look great and definitely easier when starting up.

 

Personally, I think your tank would look better with fewer species of schoolers and increase the size of their schools. It's more beneficial for them and makes a better visual impact for you.

 

I would suggest you choose fish that are in the same temperature range, when you make your final list.

 

It sounds like a nice plan, but both the otos and vampire shrimp should only be added to a very mature tank, after at least a few months. The otos are often wild caught and it can take a few weeks for them to start eating either commercial food or blanched veggies, and they do best in a group of six or more. Some mosses are great for hiding, you may like Java or subwassertang, or even a Java fern, they all grow slowly

 

Personally I would not do the zebra danios. They take up a lot of the tank in swimming around everywhere

Have you though about a background? They look great and definitely easier when starting up.

I was thinking of getting the back side painted black in color or silver(to give it a mirror look).

 

I would suggest you choose fish that are in the same temperature range, when you make your final list.

I think most of them can handle the temperature, thinking of keeping it at 22 - 24 F.

 

It sounds like a nice plan, but both the otos and vampire shrimp should only be added to a very mature tank, after at least a few months. The otos are often wild caught and it can take a few weeks for them to start eating either commercial food or blanched veggies, and they do best in a group of six or more. Some mosses are great for hiding, you may like Java or subwassertang, or even a Java fern, they all grow slowly

I agree totally as I was going to post the same thing and thought a post was better than an “agree” since I think these points are important.

 

I'm also giving a thought to start with tiny fish instead of 2'' & above varieties.
So the same tank with similar flora and substrate + sand* setup like the thread question with the below fauna.

{4 x Golden Oto + 4 x Amano Shrimp + 4 x Red Cherry Shrimp} -- This will be default for any setup that I'll do.
2 x Vampire Shrimp
3 x Platy
10 x ChillI Rasbora
10 x Danio erythromicron
10 x Microrasbora kubotai
10 x Nean Tetra
10 x Ember Tetra

4 x JuliI Cory (C. julii) or 10 x Salt & pepper Cory (C. habrosus) {Which is a better clean up crew ? }

Will this be easier to maintain as compared to the one posted as question of this the thread?

*(I'm no longer going for fine white sand, seems like that is hard to maintain, looking for something a bit rough)