Some questions about a new (first) tank

We recently got a 28 gallon tank (bow-front). I'm still trying to wrap my head around all the details of doing this. We followed the directions for setting up the tank. Waited a day and then added three fish: 1 Zebra Danio, 1 Guppy, and 1 Dwarf Gourami. They seem to be doing pretty good. But of course, I have a bunch of questions:

1) We got a ph-tester thing that sits in the tank and reads the ph level in the water. It seems pretty high (probably less than 8.6 - but closer to 8.2 or 7.8). I've read a variety of opinions on this. Do we try to lower the ph? The tank isn't even a full week old. Someone suggested a water change - but since the water hasn't even been in there for that long - I don't see how a water change will help all that much. Another opinion I read was just not to worry about it all that much. How high is TOO high? Do I get a more sensitive tester to try and get a more accurate reading?

2) Speaking of test kits - I'm reading we'll need to test nitrates, etc. How often should this be done?

3) I've read that you should add fish slowly to your tank and only a few at one time. How long do we wait until we can add more fish?

4) We have only one Zebra Danio - but I'm reading that these should really be purchased in schools - so how many should we get? I really wanted a mix of a number of different types of fish - I'm not sure what our limit is to how many fish we can get - but I don't want to fill the tank with just the Zebra Danios... (I know a school typically = 6 - but with our tank, I'm worried that leaves us without a lot of room for other fish - what's the smallest "school" we can get away with)

5) As for how many fish we can have in the tank - the 1 gallon per 1 inch of adult fish just confuses me to no end. The other problem is that I'm not really sure what the adult size is for the fish we're looking for. (We're looking to have mostly small fish anyway) - can you say roughly 10 fish? 20 fish?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

Your tank is just goin thru its cycle. If I'm not mistaken, the PH will go down the more the tank cycles.

 

1) Leave the pH alone for the time being at least.

2) Definitely get a test kit ASAP (the API freshwater master test kit is widely well-regarded)! Use this to test your pH as well - you want much higher degree of accuracy than what your pH reader seems to be giving.

3) 6 should be fine in your tank size and with your current fish.

4) 1" per gallon isn't too hard; just research the species you're after on fishlore or on any other fish info site to find their adult size. Guppies wil be up to 2" (males smaller), zebra danios also about 2", dwarf gouramis 3-4".

Read about the nitrogen cycle here: https://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

You're effectively cycling the tank with fish at the moment. Danios are very hardy so you zebra will cope with the high nitrates etc. fairly well afaik, but your guppy and gourami might not survive if you don't perform frequent (like daily) large water changes to keep the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels non-toxic. You might have to do this for a while; it can take a month or more for a tank to become fully cycled.

 

I'd go ahead and get the master kit: then you can keep track of ammonia, nitrites and nitrates too. we don't do anything with our pH although it's high. the fish adapt and fish bought locally are usually used to the local pH when you get them. Testing once a week when your tank is cycled is good, when you're cycling I'd say every couple of days to track the cycle progress.

It's best to start adding fish when you get 0 for ammonia and nitrites and 10 or less for nitrates. Then add them a few at a time to allow the tank to adjust and stay cycled.

The Danios can be kept in schools of under 6, maybe 3, but you risk unleashing their fin-nipping behavior.

Check https://www.fishlore.com/TropicalFishProfiles.htm for adult sizes. Danios get to about 2", so 6 of them would take up 12 of the 28 gallons, for example.

Prime is the best water conditioner to use and can help with lowering the effects of cycling on the fish that you got.

 

The Danios can be kept in schools of under 6, maybe 3, but you risk unleashing their fin-nipping behavior.

I started my 10 gallon with 3 zebra danios, and they did act a bit aggressive towards each other -- the biggest one kept chasing the other two, who ended up hiding in the plants most of the time. I added two more this past weekend, and their behavior changed almost as soon as the new fish hit the water. Once the two new ones settled in, the 5 now swim around together, and don't chase each other nearly as much. And they pretty much leave the two corys alone, too. So my limited experience says it takes at least 5 to make them act as a school.

 

That corresponds to what I read about zebra danios too. I think when it comes to schooling fish, we should let them school. I am guilty of this too with my otos (I only have two per tank). I am going to add more I think.

 

That corresponds to what I read about zebra danios too. I think when it comes to schooling fish, we should let them school. I am guilty of this too with my otos (I only have two per tank). I am going to add more I think.

oh, how naughty!? i'm afraid I will have to deny knowing you in public.. oh the guilt & the shame!

 

I hang my head low in shame.

 

I hang my head low in shame.

lol.. yea, yea.. sure you do.

 

heya still quite new to this but I have four zebra danios and that seems enough for them not to bother with the rest of the fish in the tank. I think I only have one female in the school but she seems to manage quite well

 

Gouram can be kept in singles and be happy...mine never had any problems....the daino would be happier with more of its kind....the guppy will start nipping fins of the other fish which could cause fin rot...most fish are happy having a few of there own kind...with guppies make sure the male to female ratio is at least 1:1 if you only want females that's fine but don't ever have more males then females..if there isn't female for every male they will fight over the female...MUCH like humans ....Dianos are a hardy fish and can be used to cycle the tank...I don't recommending adding less hardy fish for at least a month..and don't go out and buy 12 fish at once....just try to keep the fish happy