First Tank Info and Questions

Initial pondering
I love this site, the people on it seem very helpful and friendly, especially to us newbies even when we make mistakes in our initial set up.

Info

I have an aqueon quiet flow filter, not sure of the gph since it came with the 20 gallon kit. Tank is ~ 26x14x19 which appears to be a 20 gallon high. It came with a 100w preset water heater. I followed the Petco sales persons advice and set it up and let it sit a week before adding fish. While it was waiting wish I read as much as I did since then so I would know this did nothing to get the tank ready for fish or that cycling the tank would take a toll on the fish. I added 3 platys, 1 red Mickey mouse, 1 golden mm and one sunburst. I'm a week in and have between .25 and .50 ammonia 0 nitrates and nitrites, tested using API master test kit

Aqua scape questions
I like the large piece in the tank because of all of the hiding places which I know make fish happier, but is it making the tank too cluttered?

The one branch if the silk flowers is always hanging low, any suggestions on making it stay up.

Cycling
Since my ammonia is still low, but getting higher daily should I use a product like tetra safe start plus to give it a jump start to ease the negative effect on the fish?

Mating
Is there a way to prevent mating other than getting all one sex? I have read it us good to have a mix of male and female, plus I'm still new so no guarantee I don't unintentionally mix

Stocking
I thought schooling (shoaling) fish would be good and thought of 6 Harlequin Rasbora since they appear colorful and active, qualities I like. Any suggestions otherwise or on count would be appreciated

Pictures





The Mickey Mouse (The sunburst is hiding from me behind the volcano)


Night time


Thanks for all the advice in other threads and in advance for this thread.

 

Nice tank!

You might want to try increasing water change frequency to help with the ammonia levels.

I'm afraid there's no way to stop the mating other than by getting all the fish of the same sex, at least with livebearers like platies, guppies, etc and they will breed believe you me. Fortunately or unfortunately depending on your point of view, they are abysmal parents and will end up eating their own fry if they can. One or two might make it but normally it's not much of a problem. You should always keep about 1 male for every 3 females so that they're not hassled too much.

 

If you"re going to be increasing your water changes, you could look into Seachem's Stability instead of the Tetra Safe Start. My understanding of the Safe Start is that you have to hold off on any water changes during the first 14 days, where as water changes are allowed while using Stability. I've seen both products recommended by people on this site, they're just used for different situations. I recently cycled a 10 gallon (pretty quickly) using the Stability, and was doing frequent water changes.
Love your tank!

 

Hi, welcome to fishlore

Having your tank sit for a week would not cycle it so you're now cycling with fish in. If you have just the 3 platies in there right now, that is a perfect amount to cycle with. I'd pick up some Seachem Stability and some Seachem Prime if you don't already have it and use that to complete your cycle before adding any more fish.

Follow this formula and your fish will stay safe and your cycle will complete:

If ammonia + nitrites is less than 1.0 – dose prime for the full volume of water and stability and re-check in 24 hours.
If ammonia + nitrites is 1.0 or greater – do a large water change, dose prime for the full volume of water and stability and re-check in 24 hours.


As far as the sex of your platies, I would recommend all male. You'll have tons of fry in no time, they can have 20 fry and up monthly. And they don't always eat them all so you'll be overpopulated in no time.

I started out with all females but the problem was they are usually already pregnant when you get them and can hold sperm for up to a year and keep having more fry. I now have all male guppies and I have a few female platy left. The males get a long fine as long as you're not overstocked and have some hiding places which you do.

If you google sexing platies it is actually very easy to tell a female from a male based on their analfin and most pet stores should be able to help you with this.

 

Hi, welcome to fishlore

Having your tank sit for a week would not cycle it so you're now cycling with fish in. If you have just the 3 platies in there right now, that is a perfect amount to cycle with. I'd pick up some Seachem Stability and some Seachem Prime if you don't already have it and use that to complete your cycle before adding any more fish.

Follow this formula and your fish will stay safe and your cycle will complete:

If ammonia + nitrites is less than 1.0 – dose prime for the full volume of water and stability and re-check in 24 hours.
If ammonia + nitrites is 1.0 or greater – do a large water change, dose prime for the full volume of water and stability and re-check in 24 hours.


As far as the sex of your platies, I would recommend all male. You'll have tons of fry in no time, they can have 20 fry and up monthly. And they don't always eat them all so you'll be overpopulated in no time.

I started out with all females but the problem was they are usually already pregnant when you get them and can hold sperm for up to a year and keep having more fry. I now have all male guppies and I have a few female platy left. The males get a long fine as long as you're not overstocked and have some hiding places which you do.

If you google sexing platies it is actually very easy to tell a female from a male based on their analfin and most pet stores should be able to help you with this.

Thanks for the advice. I'm starting the prime stability routine tonight.