New Old 20 Gallon Tall!!!!!!!

I have let my first tank ever fall to the side. Last year for my b-day my parents bought me a 20 gallon tall Top Fin starter kit, I was instantly engulfed in the hobby and mts started to set in. Since then I have had 2, 20 gallons and a 55 gallon African cichlid tank (currently occupying a lot of my time, mostly watching, lol). So I let my little brothers keep up with my 20 gallon tall so I bought them 2 angels which they have fed everyday but besides that haven't really kept up with them. I am reclaiming it and want to do plants. I have tried them in the past and let's just say it didn't really work out. I am very optimistic but don't really want the angels. A friend of mine said he wants them and I know they will be taken good care of there. So my stocking options are full and open. So what do y'all suggest, what are your guys favorite fish (that will work in a 20 gallon tall of course). What plants,I want a carpeting plant and definitely some background plants as well. I would slap like to know what substrate would work best for plants. I am so excited to hear what you guys suggestions are. Thanks in advance!!!!!!!

 

I have always loved mollies! I like their size and colours. Also bettas but then you would have to get certain fish to get along with him. Hope this helps

 

To help with fish stocking, would you mind answering a few questions?

What is your PH?
Do you want a cold water aquarium (no heater) or a tropical aquarium (with heater)?
Do you mind livebearers?
Single fish tank or community?

I have guppies, platys, and cory catfish in my 20 high.

 

I suggest seachem flourite! Works great!

Endlers livebearers are also really cool. They are great looking, active and very prolific.

 

Maybe a school of panda cory and neon tetras?

 

Maybe a school of panda cory and neon tetras?

Also A great idea. There are really a lot of possibilities.

 

For fish I really like shoaling fish. You could do a school of celestial pearl Danios and some male guppies. You could also keep some red cherry shrimp. All of those species will enjoy a nicely planted tank!

I'm pretty new to plants, but I have black sand over Carib sea flora max. I use daylight spectrum CFLS in clip lamps for light. If you want a fast growing plant, anacharis is pretty idiot-proof and will eat up excess nitrates in your tank.

 

Also A great idea. There are really a lot of possibilities.

You could always replace the Cories with Otos.

 

my ph is 7.2, tropical aquarium definitely, I do not mind livebearers, and I want a community tank!!!!!! Also I have 2 bushy nose plecos (Simba and Nala) both still young but I want to be able to use this as there breeder tank. I will be putting them in there and then when the eggs hatch and young old enough I want to move them back to the 55 gallon. Will this work? Thank you for all the comments so far!!!!!!!

 

Hi!

I would probably suggest some guppies and maybe some shrimp. Or you could do a few schools of tetras. Also, if your tank was less planted (meaning not all across the bottom and just some plants in the tank) and not too tall, you could consider some african dwarf frogs. They are really cute and will work well with any other fish you choose.

Hope this helps!

 

I like african dwarf frogs but my mom said that she would never let me get one, they terrify her. I like guppies and mollies. How does this sound for stocking

6 male guppies

4 mollies

4 platies

8 cory cats

1 bristlenose pleco (when my other 2 mate).

I am still wandering what substrate and plants? Also any supplements if yall suggest them?

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Mostly good although you need a way better cleanup crew if you're going to have live plants. You could still get some Cories but I suggest Otocinclus catfish and some Amano shrimp. One thing about the Amano shrimp is that they won't breed in freshwater. They lay their eggs in brackish water, so you won't be getting any baby shrimp. Some cool plants are Anubias Nana petite, Amazon Sword, Java ferns, Marsilea Crenata(Carpet) and Christmas moss. Just to name a few. These are mostly beginner plants. Also, I use Tropica Plant growth specialized fertilizer and co2 tablets. They work very well. They ARE a little pricy.

 

I like african dwarf frogs but my mom said that she would never let me get one, they terrify her. I like guppies and mollies. How does this sound for stocking

6 male guppies

4 mollies

4 platies

8 cory cats

1 bristlenose pleco (when my other 2 mate).

I am still wandering what substrate and plants? Also any supplements if yall suggest them?

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That sounds great! Too bad your mom doesn't like them, they are absolutely adorable!! Anyways, just make sure your mollies are male or else your guppies might mate with them (if you don't want babies).
Good luck!! I think your tank will be awesome!!

 

For cories, you maybe can try panda or peppered cories. Or just like THSTFISHFREAK said, you can try otos

 

Sweet!!!! I am so excited about this tank!!!. Any other suggestions??????

 

Sweet!!!! I am so excited about this tank!!!. Any other suggestions??????

So what fish have you decided on?

 

I like african dwarf frogs but my mom said that she would never let me get one, they terrify her. I like guppies and mollies. How does this sound for stocking

6 male guppies

4 mollies

4 platies

8 cory cats

1 bristlenose pleco (when my other 2 mate).

I am still wandering what substrate and plants? Also any supplements if yall suggest them?

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This is what I was thinking but instead of a bristle nose pleco I am thinking maybe something more rare or stunning (not that bn aren't stunning).

 

This is what I was thinking but instead of a bristle nose pleco I am thinking maybe something more rare or stunning (not that bn aren't stunning).

Well, Hillstream loaches are pretty stunning.

 

Cardinal tetras.

 

Ooooh I do like cardinal tetras and hillstream loaches. Could I just add cardinal tetras or do I need to take some other fish out? How many hillstream loaches?