Multiple Questions relating to First Time doing a Planted Tank

So, I am attempting to put plants in a 20 gallon tank from my past years doing aquariums. I was looking online for what I should stock it with an I saw the idea of 1 pair of German Blue Rams, 8-12 Neon Tetras, and 6-8 Cory Catfish. I really like the idea of those fish but I fish like that would be to many fish for a 20 gallon. I definitely want to keep the German Blue Rams. Would it be ok if I could make a hide out of loose slate rocks like the pic attached. What plants should I put in it? If you got any other stocking ideas that would be appreciated. Thx

 

Most Corys won't be temperature compatible with GBR's and Neons definitely aren't temp compatible. GBR's want/need like 82 at least but they seem to do better at 84ish. Neons really don't want over 78 and will do better around 75, as will most Corys. There are some that will stand warmer temps, but not many and even fewer that will withstand GBR temps.

As for the hide, sure. But its going to have sharp edges that can injure your fish and Id recommend using an aquarium safe silicone to glue them together so they can't tip over.

Plants are totally personal depending on what you want the tank to look like and how much work you want to make it. Some are very easy, some are incredibly difficult. Time and money are a big factor.

 

Cardinal Tetra and SterbaI Corydoras as both Temperature compatible with GBRs. If it's a 20 long there shouldn't be an issue.

 

Most Corys won't be temperature compatible with GBR's and Neons definitely aren't temp compatible. GBR's want/need like 82 at least but they seem to do better at 84ish. Neons really don't want over 78 and will do better around 75, as will most Corys. There are some that will stand warmer temps, but not many and even fewer that will withstand GBR temps.

As for the hide, sure. But its going to have sharp edges that can injure your fish and Id recommend using an aquarium safe silicone to glue them together so they can't tip over.

Plants are totally personal depending on what you want the tank to look like and how much work you want to make it. Some are very easy, some are incredibly difficult. Time and money are a big factor.

Instead of using a filter cartridge would it be ok if I could put like filter floss in the filter? The cartridge has charcoal in it and that would soak up the fertilizers in the water right. Also, for a substrate could I do small gravel pebbles on top of like ADA Amazonia. Also, what would be a good light without breaking the bank

 

Instead of using a filter cartridge would it be ok if I could put like filter floss in the filter? The cartridge has charcoal in it and that would soak up the fertilizers in the water right. Also, for a substrate could I do small gravel pebbles on top of like ADA Amazonia. Also, what would be a good light without breaking the bank

For lights, I didn't want to break the bank either and I use these. They come in four different sizes and I have a 14.5 inch on my 20 gallon which works well. Mine is a 20 high though so if you have a 20 long you'd probably want it a little longer.

 

Instead of using a filter cartridge would it be ok if I could put like filter floss in the filter? The cartridge has charcoal in it and that would soak up the fertilizers in the water right. Also, for a substrate could I do small gravel pebbles on top of like ADA Amazonia. Also, what would be a good light without breaking the bank

I personally use sponges and bioballs only in my filters. I think they clean better and hold the most bacteria possible.

As for activated carbon removing ferts, its debatable. Ive seen yes and no. I haven't used any in my tanks in over 25 years, so I can't help you. I feel like using it is something a lot of people do just because filters and cartridges come like that but theyre not using FOR anything, per say. The use of activated carbon should for a reason, not just because.

Lighting will depend on the plants and depth of the tank. You can buy some for $30 to $300+.

 

Are you a new fish keeper? Is this a new tank? If so rams are not recommended. They can be finicky.

 

Are you a new fish keeper? Is this a new tank? If so rams are not recommended. They can be finicky.

I have kept fish before but that was like 8 years ago. That’s why I had this tank. But, I have been doing my research and the sources I have all looked at have mixed reviews on if they are hard or not

 

I have kept fish before but that was like 8 years ago. That’s why I had this tank. But, I have been doing my research and the sources I have all looked at have mixed reviews on if they are hard or not

Have you considered Bolivian Rams at all? They are generally hardier than German Blue Rams and are compatible with more types of other fish. Just a thought

 

Have you considered Bolivian Rams at all? They are generally hardier than German Blue Rams and are compatible with more types of other fish. Just a thought

What would be other good fish to keep with them? Also, what would be a good substrate that already has all the nutrients with i?

 

What would be other good fish to keep with them? Also, what would be a good substrate that already has all the nutrients with i?

You could do the school of tetras and the school of cories you wanted with the Bolivians. That said, I would say German Blue Rams aren’t necessarily an expert only fish, but they aren’t for beginners either. If you do your research, there’s no reason you couldn’t keep them successfully if your heart is set on them. Bolivians are more hardy and friendly, but the German Blues obviously have more color. Something to think about Is your tank a 20 long or a 20 high? 20 long would be better if you wanted Rams (either kind) and cories because it would give them more ground surface.

 

You could do the school of tetras and the school of cories you wanted with the Bolivians. That said, I would say German Blue Rams aren’t necessarily an expert only fish, but they aren’t for beginners either. If you do your research, there’s no reason you couldn’t keep them successfully if your heart is set on them. Bolivians are more hardy and friendly, but the German Blues obviously have more color. Something to think about Is your tank a 20 long or a 20 high? 20 long would be better if you wanted Rams (either kind) and cories because it would give them more ground surface.

I got a long one. What fertilizer would be the best if I used plain sand for the substrate?

 

I got a long one. What fertilizer would be the best if I used Flourite for the substrate?

I use Seachem Flourish for my plants which is just a liquid formula that you add to the water. It’s worked well for me, but I don’t have much experience with other products like substrate additives. Good call on the sand, that’s what rams like!

 

I use Seachem Flourish for my plants which is just a liquid formula that you add to the water. It’s worked well for me, but I don’t have much experience with other products like substrate additives. Good call on the sand, that’s what rams like!

Do their caves have to be back against something for them to like it?

 

Do their caves have to be back against something for them to like it?

Not necessarily. Some don’t use caves at all and prefer plant cover, but it’s nice for them to have access to caves. It’s kind of depends on the individual fish as to what they like. If you’re looking to spawn them, you’ll want to provide a smooth flat surface (like the slate rocks you have in the photo) for them to lay their eggs on, particularly for Bolivians.

 

Not necessarily. Some don’t use caves at all and prefer plant cover, but it’s nice for them to have access to caves. It’s kind of depends on the individual fish as to what they like. If you’re looking to spawn them, you’ll want to provide a smooth flat surface (like the slate rocks you have in the photo) for them to lay their eggs on, particularly for Bolivians.

The one crappy thing is that I have to make a custom cover because the one I currently have only supports the light that came with the tank

 

The one crappy thing is that I have to make a custom cover because the one I currently have only supports the light that came with the tank

Yeah, I was in a bind with covers and lights too. I went with the lights I linked above so that I didn’t have to make them fit in a cover (they just suction cup to the insides of the tank and are waterproof). I ended up getting creative with covers as I didn’t have any for my tanks at all and I made my own using corrugated plastic. I will try to find the link to the thread I posted about it and copy it here for you. Since you already have a lid though, you could use it with the original lights off and get a submersible light to put inside the tank.

Here you are! Check out my DIY tank lids! | Freshwater Tank Equipment 426094

 

Alright I think that I got all my questions answered thank you for all ur help

 

You’re welcome! Good luck!

 

For your light you can get just a glass lid. For growing plants you’ll need a good light. Look for LEDs with rgb LEDs. 6500k is what you’ll need for plant growth. Flourish ferts work well and apI root tabs. For a substrate I use regular 1/8 gravel. Any color plants don’t care . They also stay rooted better in gravel. Since it’s your first planted don’t use any of the special substrates. Keep it simple.
As for fish what you wanted will work. Best to switch the neons for cardinals though. Or at least that’s what everyone says. Me I kept neons with discus years ago with no problems. Right now in my discus tank I have 10 bronze Cory’s at 84*. So they can handle the heat. As to sterbaI Cory’s there another fish everyone says can handle the heat. But when you google them 90% say 77-79 as high for them. Got to say I just had 5 in my qt tank at 84 and none survived. Last I’ve kept rams at 78 with no problems. But will recommend you keep at 80. Which is a nice compromise for all of those fish. In a 20 with those fish I would only keep 4 Cory’s.
As for caves at least one for the Cory’s. Plant some plants about 4” off the back of the tank and the rams will hang around them.

 

For your light you can get just a glass lid. For growing plants you’ll need a good light. Look for LEDs with rgb LEDs. 6500k is what you’ll need for plant growth. Flourish ferts work well and apI root tabs. For a substrate I use regular 1/8 gravel. Any color plants don’t care . They also stay rooted better in gravel. Since it’s your first planted don’t use any of the special substrates. Keep it simple.
As for fish what you wanted will work. Best to switch the neons for cardinals though. Or at least that’s what everyone says. Me I kept neons with discus years ago with no problems. Right now in my discus tank I have 10 bronze Cory’s at 84*. So they can handle the heat. As to sterbaI Cory’s there another fish everyone says can handle the heat. But when you google them 90% say 77-79 as high for them. Got to say I just had 5 in my qt tank at 84 and none survived. Last I’ve kept rams at 78 with no problems. But will recommend you keep at 80. Which is a nice compromise for all of those fish. In a 20 with those fish I would only keep 4 Cory’s.
As for caves at least one for the Cory’s. Plant some plants about 4” off the back of the tank and the rams will hang around them.

For the tank layout my plan is to lay out the slate in the center and make plenty of cubbies for the fish. Then have some patches of Dwarf Baby Tears in the front. Then Amazon Sword and Cryptocoryne BeckettiI in the middle and have 4 inches in the back. Could those plants do fine on sand?

 

Crypts and Amazon swords are two of the easiest plants you can grow (with the right light and ferts) and sand is fine. Dwarf Baby Tears are one of the toughest pants to grow. It will require high light, CO2 and ferts to grow. It will grow in sand, on rocks and driftwood but it is one of the toughest plants (that Ive found) to grow.

 

Well yes all but the baby tears. Wait till you’ve been growing plants for awhile to try them. Both the swords and crypts like root tabs. They are root feeders. Most of the small carpeting plants are hard to grow. Java fern and subwassertang make nice ground plants.

 

Well yes all but the baby tears. Wait till you’ve been growing plants for awhile to try them. Both the swords and crypts like root tabs. They are root feeders. Most of the small carpeting plants are hard to grow. Java fern and subwassertang make nice ground plants.

What’s the best root tab to get or does it not matter

 

You can make your own with gel caps and Osmocote Plus. Or you can buy almost any brand. Crypts and Swords are pretty easy and in a tank with a big bioload, they can grow fine without tabs.

 

DauneV I’m with you on an existing tank. But this is a new tank so root tabs will be needed. Crypts maybe not as much but swords eat up root tabs. Both benefit from them. Yes you can make your own with Osmocote. But there cheap enough on eBay pre made. I also like the apI root tabs. Lighting is the big thing now. Led with rgb.

 

True. A new tank won't have any nutrients in the substrate.