Setting Up A New 20 Gallon

Plants don't require UV lighting, even LED floodlights work well in growing plants. Pretty much anything that emits in the 6500K region will grow plants - since its broad spectrum, parts of it will be used for photosynthesis - well. Not as expensive and extensive as you would think.

Yes; in fact I just ordered a 30 inch 70 LED light for $30!

 

I thought that gouramis were mean? Are they not. Perhaps I’m thinking of Cichlids.

Gouramis can be aggressive to their own species, like Bettas, but as long as they have enough space they should be fine! I have a gourami and some platys and they get along just fine!

 

Gouramis can be aggressive to their own species, like Bettas, but as long as they have enough space they should be fine! I have a gourami and some platys and they get along just fine!

It depends what type of gourami. You shouldn't keep 2 male dwarf gouramis together because they will fight but honey gouramis are peaceful and sociable.

 

You could keep a single Jack demsey cichlid in there or a smaller colony of she'll dwelling cichlids.

 

Yes; in fact I just ordered a 30 inch 70 LED light for $30!

Can you link it to me?

 

Can you link it to me?

Ok. It's actually $39, btw

 

Ok. It's actually $39, btw

Gosh. The lies that people have on this forum... It's ridiculous!

 

HI Ladies and Gents!
I am setting up a tank for the first time in years and I'm looking for some advice. I have a 20 gallon tall tank (and a Aquaponic topper that came with it which I may or may not use) and I am looking for stocking advice. So far I am thinking 6-8 cardinal tetras, 4 panda corys, 2 mystery snails, and either a dwarf gourami (yes I know about iridiovirus) or 2 blue rams. I have been through AqAdvisor and see that the load should be ok, but I can't decide if I'd be better with gourami or rams. What do the more educated masses think? Are there any changes you would make for a more balanced environment?

 

Just my initial thoughts... cardinals like warmer water than panda cories - neon tetras might be a better fit with pandas. Also, the more cories you can add, the better. 4 is ok, but they'll be much happier and show more natural behaviours in a larger school.

 

Just my initial thoughts... cardinals like warmer water than panda cories - neon tetras might be a better fit with pandas. Also, the more cories you can add, the better. 4 is ok, but they'll be much happier and show more natural behaviours in a larger school.

what size school would you recommend? I don't want to over tax the tank it isn't that large, maybe 6 or do you think more than that?

 

Is it a 20 long or 20 high?

 

Is it a 20 long or 20 high?

20 Tall I believe. It is 24" x 12"

 

do 10 corries then

 

ok so how about 10 neon tetras, 10 panda corys, 2 mystery snails (more, less?) and I am still curious if people think I'd be better with the blue rams of dwarf gourami

 

jinjerJOSH22 we have a Gourami question! Lol!

 

20 Long I believe. It is 24" x 12"

Just FYI- the 20 longs are 30x12

 

If it's 24" x 12", that's a 20 high. A 20 long is 30" x 12".
Are you thinking Panda corys or Pygmy corys? You've mentioned both here.
Also, Pygmy Gourami and Dwarf Gourami are not the same thing...
Can you please clarify which fish you are interested in?

 

sorry I corrected the post above. I have a 20 gallon tall tank (24 x 12) I am looking for panda corys and maybe a dwarf gourami. Too many names floating in my head I'll pay closer attention in the future

 

Blue Rams need temperatures above 80, so if you get them you'll need to built the tank around them.

Dwarf Gourami are usually a good community fish but can have their issues. Illness like you pointed out but can also be aggressive but it usually aimed at other Gourami.

Sparkling Gourami are fantastic little fish but I would avoid pairing them with fish that are bigger than them. They may be fine but keeping them with other nano fish like Mirco Rasbora is best

 

Ok so in a 20 tall, I'd do 6 Pandas, and 8 Neon Tetras. I can't comment on the Dwarf Gourami, as I'm not sure about their compatibility.
Alternatively, you could do 10 Pygmy Corys with the Neons.

 

Ok so in a 20 tall, I'd do 6 Pandas, and 8 Neon Tetras. I can't comment on the Dwarf Gourami, as I'm not sure about their compatibility.
Alternatively, you could do 10 Pygmy Corys with the Neons.

any reason to suggest one over the other?

Blue Rams need temperatures above 80, so if you get them you'll need to built the tank around them.

Dwarf Gourami are usually a good community fish but can have their issues. Illness like you pointed out but can also be aggressive but it usually aimed at other Gourami.

Sparkling Gourami are fantastic little fish but I would avoid pairing them with fish that are bigger than them. They may be fine but keeping them with other nano fish like Mirco Rasbora is best

lots of info in that response thank you. maybe I'll avoid the rams then for the temperature concerns. Would you recommend keeping just 1 Gourami for the aggression reasons and make it a "center piece" or do you think 2 would be ok to give it company as long as they are both put in at the same time?

 

If you mean the corys, it's personal preference. Pygmies are quite small, and generally harder to find. Many of them are wild caught. (And SUPER adorable )
Pandas are much more common, less expensive and generally tank bred. I gather there is a higher chance you will get lower quality stock with them though, a lot of folks seem to find they have health issues lately.

 

Ok so in a 20 tall, I'd do 6 Pandas, and 8 Neon Tetras. I can't comment on the Dwarf Gourami, as I'm not sure about their compatibility.
Alternatively, you could do 10 Pygmy Corys with the Neons.

I was thinking Panda because I know they stick to the bottom more and I felt I would balance the tank more.

If you mean the corys, it's personal preference. Pygmies are quite small, and generally harder to find. Many of them are wild caught. (And SUPER adorable )
Pandas are much more common, less expensive and generally tank bred. I gather there is a higher chance you will get lower quality stock with them though, a lot of folks seem to find they have health issues lately.

ok so that's good to know I didn't realize that there was a strong health concern with one over the other.

 

Ok so in a 20 tall, I'd do 6 Pandas, and 8 Neon Tetras. I can't comment on the Dwarf Gourami, as I'm not sure about their compatibility.
Alternatively, you could do 10 Pygmy Corys with the Neons.

"Should" be but you occasionally get ones that hate tank mates but more often than not they're ok.
Just try and source a healthy one
If you're in the US Wetspot is a good option.

lots of info in that response thank you. maybe I'll avoid the rams then for the temperature concerns. Would you recommend keeping just 1 Gourami for the aggression reasons and make it a "center piece" or do you think 2 would be ok to give it company as long as they are both put in at the same time?

Multiple Dwarf Gourami are hard to recommend but if you were to get more than 1 get 3 as males can be harsh to individual females. However depending where you are in the world females can be hard to come by. Never keep more than 1 male

 

I have pretty much the same tank ideas, except for the neon tetras because I already have eight rummy nose tetras in there. A few hours ago, I was asking the same questions as you, Natty82. I got some good advice there. 20 gallon high stocking advice | Aquarium Stocking Questions 445009

 

I don't see a problem having a dwarf gourami with neon tetras and cories.

Keep only ONE. Unless you can get females (rare for some). Its safer as they are territorial (not surprisingly, theyre a cousin to bettas).

I keep my dwarf boy with neons, black neons (another nice tetra choice if interested instead of the regular neons), and lots and lots of cories....


Juuuuust one thing on the panda cories aside from the potential for health issues. They breed like rabbits. Like more so than most cories, so be mindful you may end up with more pandas than you initially bought lol

If you like the look of the pandas, but want something less prone to health issues, look for some nice WeitzmanI corydoras. Rarer to find than some, but you may be able to find some online, especially if you are in the states. 6 is best for the minimal shoal size. They have similar markings, only are brighter and have 3 black bands instead of 2. They have a nice blue sheen in the right light too.

 

Lovely Corys, Noodle! Do these guys get bigger than Pandas?

 

Lovely Corys, Noodle! Do these guys get bigger than Pandas?

The two in that photo are full grown, they get about 2.2 inches, so not huge. Smaller than trilineatus at the very least but not by a whole lot. Maybe about adult platy size.

 

I have pretty much the same tank ideas, except for the neon tetras because I already have eight rummy nose tetras in there. A few hours ago, I was asking the same questions as you, Natty82. I got some good advice there. 20 gallon high stocking advice | Aquarium Stocking Questions 445009

Thanks for the link I checked it out, small world.

I am on the same idea with a showcase fish, I am thinking a powder blue dwarf gourami but I am not settled on it, maybe a honey or a sparkling gourami?

I am also thinking maybe mixing like 6 neon tetras with 2-3 ember tetras for a spakle of color when they swim together, weird that it also came up in yours

 

Embers need to be kept in groups of 6 as well.

Id stick to 1 school of fish.

If you went embers...

10-12 ember tetras
15 pygmaeus corydoras
5 sparkling gourami


OR

6-8 neon tetras
1 dwarf gourami OR 3 honey gourami
6 panda cories (or similar sized species)

Personally id be leery though mixing a dwarf gourami with pygmy cories, might attempt to eat them.

 

Embers need to be kept in groups of 6 as well.

Id stick to 1 school of fish.

If you went embers...

10-12 ember tetras
15 pygmaeus corydoras
5 sparkling gourami


OR

6-8 neon tetras
1 dwarf gourami OR 3 honey gourami
6 panda cories (or similar sized species)

Personally id be leery though mixing a dwarf gourami with pygmy cories, might attempt to eat them.

I was under the impression that different types of tetras would all school together without any problems, is that not right?

 

HI Ladies and Gents!
I am setting up a tank for the first time in years and I'm looking for some advice. I have a 20 gallon tall tank (and a Aquaponic topper that came with it which I may or may not use) and I am looking for stocking advice. So far I am thinking 6-8 cardinal tetras, 4 panda corys, 2 mystery snails, and either a dwarf gourami (yes I know about iridiovirus) or 2 blue rams. I have been through AqAdvisor and see that the load should be ok, but I can't decide if I'd be better with gourami or rams. What do the more educated masses think? Are there any changes you would make for a more balanced environment?

I’m sure someone else mentions this, but if you get Rams (I love the ebrs personally, very mellow Rams too, a very established tank is highly recommended.
I didn’t know that and my lfs didn’t seem to think it was an issue. But it was a big issue.

 

I’m sure someone else mentions this, but if you get Rams (I love the ebrs personally, very mellow Rams too, a very established tank is highly recommended.
I didn’t know that and my lfs didn’t seem to think it was an issue. But it was a big issue.

good to know thanks for the heads up

 

Embers need to be kept in groups of 6 as well.

Id stick to 1 school of fish.

If you went embers...

10-12 ember tetras
15 pygmaeus corydoras
5 sparkling gourami


OR

6-8 neon tetras
1 dwarf gourami OR 3 honey gourami
6 panda cories (or similar sized species)

Personally id be leery though mixing a dwarf gourami with pygmy cories, might attempt to eat them.

Looked more into it Thanks for the heads up, I'll stick with all one type of tetra. That's a shame I think one or two gold or ember mixed in would look really cool but better not to mess with it