Hello From Indiana

[CurvyMermaid27]

Newbie here!

I have wanted a aquarium for a long time, finally have the space and money to do it. I am still in the very beginning stages of my set up. But have been using the forum to expand my knowledge, so far. Looking forward to all the future conversations ahead!

I have a 29 gal tank at this point and that is all. Trying to get a good idea of the fish I want before buying everything. Also I am trying to not spend all my money at once , but we will see!

Thanks!

 

[IHaveADogToo]

Hi! Welcome to the forum.

No need to buy everything all at once. You should wait for your tank to cycle before adding fish, anyway, so that buys you a few weeks before you get fish. Your profile says you are familiar with the nitrogen cycle. Do you have a water testing kit? That should be one of your first purchases. Get the liquid kit, not the strips. The only way to know if your aquarium has completed the nitrogen cycle is to test the water, but the cycle can take 4-6 weeks to complete. So you've got plenty of time to get all the supplies you need, and get your tank aquascaped, before introducing fish.

What kind of fish do you like? In a 29 gallon you have all kinds of options. And what is your local water's general hardness and pH? That will help us recommend fish best suited for your local water. You can find the general hardness and pH with your liquid test kit, but if you don't have that, your city's website or your water company's website should list that information.

 

[CurvyMermaid27]

Hi! Welcome to the forum.

No need to buy everything all at once. You should wait for your tank to cycle before adding fish, anyway, so that buys you a few weeks before you get fish. Your profile says you are familiar with the nitrogen cycle. Do you have a water testing kit? That should be one of your first purchases. Get the liquid kit, not the strips. The only way to know if your aquarium has completed the nitrogen cycle is to test the water, but the cycle can take 4-6 weeks to complete. So you've got plenty of time to get all the supplies you need, and get your tank aquascaped, before introducing fish.

What kind of fish do you like? In a 29 gallon you have all kinds of options. And what is your local water's general hardness and pH? That will help us recommend fish best suited for your local water. You can find the general hardness and pH with your liquid test kit, but if you don't have that, your city's website or your water company's website should list that information.

Thank you for all the tips!

Yep, I was trying to get an idea of what fish I wanted before starting on the Tank. I am picking up a few supplies tonight and I will put the water testing kit at the top of the list. I am pretty picky about the aquascaping, so I am still making some decisions there. I new the cycle can take that long or longer. And before I add any fish I plan to set up a QT so I can introduce the fish slowly. I have an idea of the fish I want, but not sure I can acquire them or not. I have done some research which has gotten me to this list.

1 x Electric Blue Ram (not sure if 2 are needed)
1 x Pearl Gourami ( not sure if 2 are needed)
6 x Cory Catfish (Albino?? Would be my preference)
2 x Gold snails ( maybe more)

I would like another schooling type fish for the top level, but I am not sure which yet. This is just where I have gotten so far.
I am looking at the aqua clear filter, I like that I can have a good amount of media in it, so I can keep some available for my QT. I understand it was going to take a while to set up and establish the tank so I am okay with taking my time. Again thanks for all the info!

 

[CurvyMermaid27]

Sorry for the delay, all the water company said was it was between 7-9, however from what I feel it is pretty chlorinated.

 

[yukondog]

Welcome Curvy

 

[IHaveADogToo]

all the water company said was it was between 7-9

Okay then, it's a good thing the liquid test kit has a general hardness and pH test. Because the water company was not very helpful with that answer. As for it being chlorinated, pretty much everyone's water is, so as long as you use a dechlorinating water conditioner you'll be fine.

I don't know anything about electric blue rams, but I do know the rest of the fish on your list are well suited to live together. Maybe someone with more cichlid knowledge can weigh in on the rams. I have some albino corys myself. They're fun to watch. They certainly grow, though! I mean, they don't get huge, but I was surprised to see how big they do get.

 

[tocandesu]

HI there! Welcome to Fishlore, fellow Hoosier

It seems like you have your aquarium planned out pretty well. I'm not so good at stocking advice, so I'll other people take it from here.

 

[emmysjj]

HI and welcome to Fishlore
I think you have a pretty good plan.
I'd do:
2 EBRs
1 Pearl Gourami
6 Albino Cories
8 schooling fish of your preference (rummynose tetras, cardinal tetras, harlequin rasboras, cherry barbs, and a lot more that I'm too lazy to list )
For the snails, are you talking about mystery snails?

 

[HORNET1]

WELCOME ABOARD !!!
Congratulations on your new tank.

I have two points of advice...
1) Patience is a must if you want to set up a successful and enjoyable hobby. Whatever you do, resist the temptation to go out and buy a bunch of fish before you have thoroughly familiarized yourself with the nitrogen cycle, how it works, and your tank has completed the process. And, when it comes time to stock your tank, add fish slowly (not all at once).
2) Substrate is something you should be considering at this point. Are you going to want live plants or artificial plants? This is the time to do your due diligence and make an informed decision before adding water to your tank. I suggest looking at some of the aquascaping videos on YouTube for ideas and suggestions and I strongly recommend live plants for a healthy aquarium.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR NEW HOBBY

 

[CurvyMermaid27]

Okay then, it's a good thing the liquid test kit has a general hardness and pH test. Because the water company was not very helpful with that answer. As for it being chlorinated, pretty much everyone's water is, so as long as you use a dechlorinating water conditioner you'll be fine.

I don't know anything about electric blue rams, but I do know the rest of the fish on your list are well suited to live together. Maybe someone with more cichlid knowledge can weigh in on the rams. I have some albino corys myself. They're fun to watch. They certainly grow, though! I mean, they don't get huge, but I was surprised to see how big they do get.

Yeah, I am very drawn to the albino corys. I come from a place where we had well water, so the chlorination has been a major adjustment for me! During the cycle do I use the de-chlorination or does that natural happen? I was unsure? I know during water changes I will need the de-chlorination but wasn't sure if I needed it during the fishless cycle?

 

[CurvyMermaid27]

HI there! Welcome to Fishlore, fellow Hoosier

It seems like you have your aquarium planned out pretty well. I'm not so good at stocking advice, so I'll other people take it from here.

Thank you for the welcome, Hoosier!

 

[CurvyMermaid27]

HI and welcome to Fishlore
I think you have a pretty good plan.
I'd do:
2 EBRs
1 Pearl Gourami
6 Albino Cories
8 schooling fish of your preference (rummynose tetras, cardinal tetras, harlequin rasboras, cherry barbs, and a lot more that I'm too lazy to list )
For the snails, are you talking about mystery snails?

I would say yes, one of their names is Gold Inca snail, but they have many others! I just love the yellow/gold color!
Do you know if it matters what the sex are for the 2 EBRs?

 

[IHaveADogToo]

Yeah, I am very drawn to the albino corys. I come from a place where we had well water, so the chlorination has been a major adjustment for me! During the cycle do I use the de-chlorination or does that natural happen? I was unsure? I know during water changes I will need the de-chlorination but wasn't sure if I needed it during the fishless cycle?

Chlorine will kill off any beneficial bacteria you have in the tank. You need that bacteria to run it's course to cycle the tank. You should start with dechlorinated water, and always use dechlorinated water. Chlorine can even kill off bottled bacteria.

When you cycle the tank, you will need to add some sort of bacteria to the tank to jump-start the cycle, and some sort of ammonia source to feed that bacteria. Sometimes people use bottled bacteria. Sometimes people use filter media or substrate from an established aquarium. But no matter what you use, make sure you only expose it to dechlorinated water.

 

[CurvyMermaid27]

WELCOME ABOARD !!!
Congratulations on your new tank.

I have two points of advice...
1) Patience is a must if you want to set up a successful and enjoyable hobby. Whatever you do, resist the temptation to go out and buy a bunch of fish before you have thoroughly familiarized yourself with the nitrogen cycle, how it works, and your tank has completed the process. And, when it comes time to stock your tank, add fish slowly (not all at once).
2) Substrate is something you should be considering at this point. Are you going to want live plants or artificial plants? This is the time to do your due diligence and make an informed decision before adding water to your tank. I suggest looking at some of the aquascaping videos on YouTube for ideas and suggestions and I strongly recommend live plants for a healthy aquarium.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR NEW HOBBY

Thank you for the welcome and advice.

Patience has been something I am focusing on. I honestly don't see me adding anything to the tank (substrate) for another week at least. As, I am still trying to decide the look I am going on, and whatever fish I want will have certain needs from their habitat.

I will probably be doing artificial plants for this first tank, as it is my first time. Except those few gold fish I had as a child. But I want a live plant tank in the future. I am looking at either black sand of some kind or gravel, that is small. I know I need to be careful with the corys. I am actually drawing out what type of aquascape I want before adding anything to the tank. I have viewed a few tank builds online. They have been very helpful.

 

[CurvyMermaid27]

Chlorine will kill off any beneficial bacteria you have in the tank. You need that bacteria to run it's course to cycle the tank. You should start with dechlorinated water, and always use dechlorinated water. Chlorine can even kill off bottled bacteria.

When you cycle the tank, you will need to add some sort of bacteria to the tank to jump-start the cycle, and some sort of ammonia source to feed that bacteria. Sometimes people use bottled bacteria. Sometimes people use filter media or substrate from an established aquarium. But no matter what you use, make sure you only expose it to dechlorinated water.

That makes sense. I have a bucket and somewhere I read on the forum, said to fill the bucket up and de-chlorinate it and be room temperature, then add it too the tank. I will probably need to get a smaller bucket sense I will need to be able to lift the bucket up above the tank. But my arm strength is lacking for the 5 gal bucket I have, lol! Can I use fish food as the bacteria for the cycle? Or should I just buy bottled bacteria, as I don't know anyone with an established tank. Could I use a live rock? I don't necessarily want live plants for this first time but could I have a live rock?

 

[emmysjj]

I would say yes, one of their names is Gold Inca snail, but they have many others! I just love the yellow/gold color!
Do you know if it matters what the sex are for the 2 EBRs?

I think you should do 1 of each sex, but I’m not sure.

Thank you for the welcome and advice.

Patience has been something I am focusing on. I honestly don't see me adding anything to the tank (substrate) for another week at least. As, I am still trying to decide the look I am going on, and whatever fish I want will have certain needs from their habitat.

I will probably be doing artificial plants for this first tank, as it is my first time. Except those few gold fish I had as a child. But I want a live plant tank in the future. I am looking at either black sand of some kind or gravel, that is small. I know I need to be careful with the corys. I am actually drawing out what type of aquascape I want before adding anything to the tank. I have viewed a few tank builds online. They have been very helpful.

Live plants are actually super easy and not all require ferts or Co2. I have anubis and Java fern in my tanks, and it is so easy (trust me, I stink with plants ).
You can also do Java moss, hornwort, and a bunch others that I don’t remember.
Live rock is for saltwater
Plants are really great in the long run.

 

[Discus-Tang]

Welcome!

Yes, you can use fish food alongside bottled bacteria. I don't like to as it causes cloudiness, detritus worms, algae, phosphate & TDS build up etc.

Regarding plants, I would get some organic potting soil, layer 1 inch on the bottom of the tank, then cap it with 1 inch of any sand. Note that not all plants feed through roots.

 

[CurvyMermaid27]

I think you should do 1 of each sex, but I’m not sure.

Live plants are actually super easy and not all require ferts or Co2. I have anubis and Java fern in my tanks, and it is so easy (trust me, I stink with plants ).
You can also do Java moss, hornwort, and a bunch others that I don’t remember.
Live rock is for saltwater
Plants are really great in the long run.

Well I will start researching the live plants then! I wanted to do them but was unsure after reading some posts about them. With snail problems and such. Just was worried my novice skill level would land me in a pickle! But I will look into the plants you recommended!

 

[CurvyMermaid27]

Welcome!

Yes, you can use fish food alongside bottled bacteria. I don't like to as it causes cloudiness, detritus worms, algae, phosphate & TDS build up etc.

Thank you for the advice!

I will just use the bottled bacteria then, as I don't want cloudy water!

 

[emmysjj]

I highly reccomend BucePlant for plants, there are no snails, it’s affordable, and the plants are high quality.

 

[Discus-Tang]

Thank you for the advice!

I will just use the bottled bacteria then, as I don't want cloudy water!

I edited my post. Have a look.

You will need ammonia to feed the bacteria.

 

[CurvyMermaid27]

I highly reccomend BucePlant for plants, there are no snails, it’s affordable, and the plants are high quality.

I will look into those! Thank you!

 

[CurvyMermaid27]

I edited my post. Have a look.

You will need ammonia to feed the bacteria.

Okay. I will look into that. Is there something besides food that I can put into the tank, that won't make it cloudy? Also, during the cycle, I do the water changes just like I would with fish correct?

 

[Discus-Tang]

Okay. I will look into that. Is there something besides food that I can put into the tank, that won't make it cloudy? Also, during the cycle, I do the water changes just like I would with fish correct?

a) Yes, pure ammonia, alongside seachem stability.

b) Yes, unless you choose Tetra Safe Start.

 

[CurvyMermaid27]

a) Yes, pure ammonia, alongside seachem stability.

b) Yes, unless you choose Tetra Safe Start.

Okay, then I will get the ammonia and bacteria. And make sure to do my water changes! Thank you very much this has all been very helpful!

 

[Franco]

Welcome!!!