Honey Gourami and Panda Cory in 20 gal

I am going to buy a 20 gal. long tank for the $1 per gallon sale
Centerpiece fish will be Honey Gourami (3 I think)
Panda Cory's because this is the closest I'm going to get to have a panda. And I love them (6 of them)
I want tetras or rasboras.
Idk which ones and I would want like 6-8 tetras?
I was thinking of neon tetras or silvertip because they have so much personality.
P.H would be somewhere around 6.7 because that's what gouramis and panda cory's like I think
I want a tetra or rasbora that goes well with the color scheme.
This is my first tank so
Oh and any other fish I can stuff in?
aqadvisor says 63% capacity rn without the tetras
Artificial or live plants? I want artificial bamboo to make it look good for the panda cory's
I plan on using the Aqueon quietflow 20 is it ok?
Aqadvisor says 131% filter capacity
Thank you!

 

Just my opinions based on the little experience I have:

Honey gouramis are interesting social fish. If you have a choice, get one male and two females. I have what I believe to be four males. They all get along well, but they're fairly young still. Make sure that what you purchase are really honey gouramis as it seems other similar-looking types of gouramis sometimes get sold under this name. I bought mine as golden honey gouramis from PetCo. I noticed the supplier of my local PetCo changed the name to honey dwarf gouramis last week. Not sure why they did this as the scientific name seems to still be the same--perhaps to save confusion with how big the fish will grow. I had someone in the fish department at PetCo insist they grow to well over 2" because the tag didn't say "dwarf" and would, therefore, eat the white cloud mountain minnows I was inquiring about, which would make them incompatible. Which brings me to my next thought: Make sure any other fish are temperature compatible. Even though I doubt my honeys would have any interest in eating a WCMM, they are not temperature compatible. In my amusement with the little minnows, I had totally forgotten to consider that and glad I didn't buy them. Also make sure any other fish you get are peaceful, as honeys are very peaceful and somewhat shy (they aren't shy about coming to the tank glass to see what I'm doing, though!).

Unless your pH is outrageously high or low, I wouldn't adjust it because of what a certain fish likes unless that's a requirement of that type of fish (even though, I'd actually suggest just getting a different type of fish). My pH runs 8.1 or 8.2, depending on which tank, and is stable. Being stable is far more important and making adjustments to your pH often comes at the expense of stability. Most fish will adjust to pH as long as you acclimate them properly.

For the bamboo, you could consider planting it with the stem/leaves extending out of the tank if you decide you just want live plants (I think I've read that if the whole bamboo shoot is submerged, it will eventually die, but I have no experience with this).

I have an Aqueon Quietflow 10 in my 10 gallon and am satisfied with it. However, if you're purchasing a filter separate from the tank, I would suggest looking at some other filters as well. The Quietflow filters have very little room for filter media compared to other types. I swapped out the Quietflow I had on my 20 gallon for a Seachem Tidal 55 (though I wouldn't suggest that particular filter for a 20 gallon long because even at the shortest length, I think the intake tube might be too long and with less depth than a 20 gallon high, even at the lowest outflow setting, it might create more water agitation than your honeys would be happy with). Seachem has a Tidal 35 that might be worth looking at, and I know many like AquaClear/Fluval filters. If I had the length of a 20 gallon long, I'd probably look into sponge filters.

Again, my experience and knowledge is very limited. Research is key!

 

Don't worry about ph - stable ph is more important than some specific number. Be aware that panda cory do better at lower end of their temp range - so 74 would be good. I wouldn't get too much more - maybe 6 neon but that tank is pretty small. I would not get anything with too much energy. I personally prefer live plants - italia val; anubias (lots of different types - they grow very slow so don't panic if you only get a new leaf every 2 months); java fern. All three of those should be ok with nothing fancy in the way of lights.

 

Any lights that you recommend that would be sufficient but not breaking the bank?

And tetras, rasboras or barbs for the last remaining spot

 

20 long - you could go with 6 white fin rosy tetra - they do ok at 75 or 76 and are fairly active. Conversely you could go with neon - I always prefer cardinals myself but they prefer warmer water than the panda cory. Those panda are nice but they will restrict your temperture. As for lights - one of the fluval I guess - I personally use fluval plant 3.0 but even the 24 inch one isn't cheap. The 20 Long isn't too tall so a weaker light will work.

 

I’d do rasboras over neon tetras. Neon tetras are notorious for just up and dying. Ember tetras are awesome fish.

 

Sounds like a nice start.
3 Honeys
6-8 pandas
6-8 harlequin
That would be the way I would set up a 20 long. Lighting for it I would go for a Beamswork or Nicrew. It's a shallow tank so getting a cost effective light would be the way to go. Others have also used the Vivagrow lights and from my understanding are very cost effective and produce great results for a planted tank. I've had great resultas with the Beamsworks and Nicrews.
Pics are always encouraged!

 

Any lights that you recommend that would be sufficient but not breaking the bank?

About 30 inches, all I'm finding is $44-70 lights

About 30 inches, all I'm finding is $44-70 lights

Is this light ok for a 20 long?

 

Amazon.com: beamswork 30": Pet Supplies

Amazon.com : ThriveC Aquarium Liquid Plant Fertilizer | All in ONE Fertilizer Designed for Lower TECH Tanks (500ml) : Pet Supplies
I use the beamsworks on my 20 long and the nicrew skyled on my 29 and they both grow plants very well. Also you need to feed your plants aside from the fish waste and weekly WC's. A great all in one fert is Nilog ThriveC

 

Any lights that you recommend that would be sufficient but not breaking the bank?

Most plants do alright on your standard LEDs, as long as you don't get anything super fragile. Anubias, java fern, swords, lilies, valisneria, and moss balls will all do great with pretty much any lights.

 

Amazon.com: beamswork 30": Pet Supplies
https://www.amazon.com/NICREW-Aquarium-Planted-Spectrum-Freshwater/dp/B07R4W325M/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2AI9I95ZCQY3O&keywords=nicrew+skyled+aquarium+light&qid=1580687315&s=pet-supplies&sprefix=nicrew+sky,pets,147&sr=1-4
Amazon.com : ThriveC Aquarium Liquid Plant Fertilizer | All in ONE Fertilizer Designed for Lower TECH Tanks (500ml) : Pet Supplies
I use the beamsworks on my 20 long and the nicrew skyled on my 29 and they both grow plants very well. Also you need to feed your plants aside from the fish waste and weekly WC's. A great all in one fert is Nilog ThriveC

I think I might just get that. It's the cheapest one yet.