Thoughts on newly planted 30 gallon

What do you guys think?

Plants:
3x Java fern (2 hiding behind driftwood)
1x moneywort in back left
1x wisteria
1x banana plant (on driftwood)

Fish:
7x Tiger barbs

 

Looks nice! Those barbs look tiny!

If you plan too add many more fish, I might trade out the log for another, smaller piece so they have more room to swim.

Are you going to add more plants?

 

Thank you! The barbs are very small. My LFS just received a new shipment a couple days ago and they must have gotten juveniles.

I don't plan on adding many more fish (if any)

Even though the wood is very large there is quite a bit of space behind it that the picture doesn't show

I am going to add some types of anubias to the driftwood for sure (not sure which yet). And if any others catch my eye I would consider buying those as well.

 

Maybe consider moss? Java moss would look good tied to the branch!

 

I'll see if I can find some.

With the driftwood still in there what other fish would you recommend?

 

More tiger barbs, maybe a bottom dweller, but that's about it.

 

What do you mean by a bottom dweller? Like a lone catfish? Or a cichlid of some type?

 

Yes. The difficulty with a lone catfish is that most species that will fit in this tank won't compete for food well, so they won't work with the greedy barbs. A more robust dwarf cichlid would work though.

 

Ok I was thinking either a firemouth or a bristle nose. But after reading this it looks like I need to rethink this.

 

A BN would be a great choice I think!

 

Would a BN Max me out? Or would I still be able to do a dwarf cichlid?

 

I think you could do both. What did you have in mind?

 

A firemouth is out of the question right?

 

Wait never mind. It says 30 gallons for a pair. So I should be alright with a lone firemouth right?

 

A 30 gal is not appropriate for a pair if kept with other fish - they're aggressive when breeding.

A lot of the tank is taken up by the wood. You could try a firemouth.

 

Ok that's makes sense.

I think I will go for a firemouth and a BN.

Any recommendations on the order I introduce them?

 

I would finish your TB school, wait a week, add the BN, wait a week, then add the firemouth. Pics when you get it stocked!

 

I'm happy with 7 barbs. Do I need to bump it up?

 

I would personally. They're less nippy towards other fish in larger groups.

 

Would they mess with the Firemouth though?

And I figured the BN will keep his distance and be out of the way

 

They might.

 

Some moss attached to the rock on top would be amazing! Also, you might need an area with a bit more cover for the bn.... Seems a bit open for it to be happy...

 

I will look for moss on my next LFS visit.

Ok will make a few little rock caves towards the back for the BN

 

TexasDomer what temp do you recommend for my tank? It's currently at 74 with just the tiger barbs

 

I think 74 F would be fine for your entire planned stocking.

 

Ok that's what I was thinking, but when I came across the firemouth profile on here it says 75 as the bottom range. Thanks for all your help

 

Fishlore profiles are inaccurate. I go by Seriously Fish, FishBase, and Planet Catfish.

 

TexasDomer What food should I get for the BN?

 

Driftwood in the tank, herbivore wafers, and veggies, with the very occasional meaty pellet or frozen food. aliray has a list of veggies somewhere on a thread.

 

Thanks!

 

@TexasDomer What food should I get for the BN?

Thanks TD, for the mention. In the current thread Plecos!! share yours. I wrote a post on feeding your BN plecos their fruits and veggies, and other foods as well as hints and tips on feeding them . It is on page 3 part way down the page, then was reprinted in a quote form on page 16, and then again on another page towards the last part of the thread. Please give it a read and feel free to ask me any questions. Alison

 

Will the BN eat algae off the glass? The driftwood has made a few places pretty much impossible to clean by myself.

 

TexasDomer aliray ️

 

Will the BN eat algae off the glass? The driftwood has made a few places pretty much impossible to clean by myself.

Yup.

 

Ok cool. I was beginning to worry I would have to move the driftwood every time I clean it. Can't wait for the BN now!

 

Yes they do eat the algae off driftwood and glass. When are you getting your BN? Alison

 

Hopefully Thursday! My LFS had one left from the previous fish shipment but he was tiny and I felt like I needed a bigger one because of the barbs

 

I wouldn't do a firemouth in this tank. The size is fine but so much is being taken up by that driftwood.

I'd do 12x barbs, 1x BN, 1-2x kribensis (1M1F or 2F)

 

I would not do two female kribs. They don't often get along, and I wouldn't think they would in this tank size.

 

Are you more worried about swimming space or aggression to other fish when you say no firemouth because of the driftwood?