Basic budget tank setup for WCCM

[Mikeymikerson]

Alright folks,

I have got a new tank now, 12 gallon, a bit better than the 5 gallon pets at home sold me. Also have a fluval u2 filter.
I am gonna set it up and fishless cycle it before transferring my current 2 white cloud mountain minnows. I have got plenty gravel but would like to know best rocks to use and plants. Nothing too busy but interesting enough for the minnows.

Thanks in advance.

 

[emeraldking]

Well, WCMMs can be kept very basic anyways. They're hardy and not very demanding fish, tbh. So, you should be good... When it comes to these kind of fish, it doesn't matter what kind of plants or rocks you'll use. Overhere, there just fine for years with just basic plants. But if reproduction is desired, plants with some fine shaped leaves or plants like cabomba , Myriophyllum plants, etc. are good to let them lay eggs in. This is how I keep them and have reproduction in the tank.

 

[Mikeymikerson]

Perfect! I will get the tank cycling as soon as possible and add some stones and a nice bit of wood then some minimal plants maybe java fern and salvinia.

 

[FishDin]

Mine bred often in java moss. I removed it because I was getting too much breeding. Also, I think a larger group would be better.

 

[Mikeymikerson]

My tank is 58 litre but once I filled it, it took 40 litres of water. So only over 8.5 gallons (u.k not u.s)
How many WCMM's do you think it could hold?

 

[FishDin]

My tank is also small, but has a large-ish footprint. (24" x 18"). It holds 10 US gallons after adding the hardscape and substrate. I have about a dozen in there with one Hillstream loach. It has a lot of plants and the nitrates never reach 5ppm. I do a weekly 50% WC.

Maybe bump it up to 6 minnows and see how they do.

 

[Mikeymikerson]

My tank is also small, but has a large-ish footprint. (24" x 18"). It holds 10 US gallons after adding the hardscape and substrate. I have about a dozen in there with one Hillstream loach. It has a lot of plants and the nitrates never reach 5ppm. I do a weekly 50% WC.

Maybe bump it up to 6 minnows and see how they do.

6 sounds good. Plus that was how many my daughter initially wanted! My tank is 10.5 us gallons after adding the substrate and hardscape. Tank measures 24" x 12" by 13" deep.

 

[86 ssinit]

Not sure how you measured your water but that’s a 15g. 58l in US is 14 and something gals. So they call it a 15g. I’ve got 2 15g. Nice tanks. Yes you could put 6-12 wcmm in there with your loach.

My tank is also small, but has a large-ish footprint. (24" x 18"). It holds 10 US gallons after adding the hardscape and substrate. I have about a dozen in there with one Hillstream loach. It has a lot of plants and the nitrates never reach 5ppm. I do a weekly 50% WC.

Maybe bump it up to 6 minnows and see how they do.

What’s the last measurement of your tank. 24x18x? Cause just 24x18 is bigger than 10g. Unless it’s only 6”high.

 

[Mikeymikerson]

Not sure how you measured your water but that’s a 15g. 58l in US is 14 and something gals. So they call it a 15g. I’ve got 2 15g. Nice tanks. Yes you could put 6-12 wcmm in there with your loach.

What’s the last measurement of your tank. 24x18x? Cause just 24x18 is bigger than 10g. Unless it’s only 6”high.

Yes my tank is 15 us gallons but once hardscape and substrate was added it only took 40 litres of water to fill it. So its got 10.5 US gallons of swimming space . I hope this is adequate for 6 WCMM's

I always get confused reading online care guides for this species as I never know whether they are talking tank sizes in U.K or U.S gallons!

 

[86 ssinit]

Yes that tank is fine for 6 wcmm.

 

[FishDin]

What’s the last measurement of your tank. 24x18x? Cause just 24x18 is bigger than 10g. Unless it’s only 6”high.

the tank is 24 x 18 x 7 or8 (not home to measure). after hardscape and substrate it takes 10g to fill it.

 

[Mikeymikerson]

new set up cycling gonna add java fern when my wife allows me to buy any more stuff!


Current set up sold to me by big chain pet store next to new tank.
Still doing a fish in cycle. Hopefully I will succeed.


They look happy though!