What to avoid putting in tank

Hey everyone, starting to cycle my tank without fish today. Looking to pick up my ornaments and interior design for the tank. Is there anything I shouldn't put in the tank? I went to big brand store yesterday and looked at a bunch of cheesy ornaments ( I'm cheesy haha). But all of them are made of plastic and heard that I want to avoid using plastic in the tank. Is this true?

After doing some thinking, I am thinking of something more natural with just rocks, driftwood and live plants for a more natural feeling tank. But in case I have a change of heart and want to add a few cheesy plastic pieces, will that potentially harm my little fish buddies or the water?

Also my fish in the plans: 29 gallon/filter for 55-70 gallon tank
School of Sterbai Cory
BN Pleco
2 Gourami or 3/4 dwarf gourami (still debating)
School of Tetras (or other smaller schooling fish)
Bolivian Ram (or another solid centerpiece fish)

Any recommendation for or against various types of ornaments/plants for a community like this?

You guys have been awesome with all my questions so far! Thank you

 

Driftwood would be good for your pleco, it helps them digest.

Avoid anything with sharp edges.

Silk or like plants are better than plastic ones. They also look nicer.

Look at reviews to make sure nothing has an issue with paint coming off.

Good luck

 

Personally I would avoid plastic decor unless it is made for an aquarium. Many plastic decorations contain harmful substances/chemicals that can leech into the aquarium and harm your fish. Amazon and other online retailers will have a large selection of decor that is rated and designed for aquarium use.

I do like using driftwood in my tanks and I actually like having tannins in the water.

 

You said 29g filter for 55-75g tank? Why is that? I'd look into a filter rated closer to your tanks size

 

You said 29g filter for 55-75g tank? Why is that? I'd look into a filter rated closer to your tanks size

I read it like that at first too but I think he means it as the tank is 29 gallons and the filter is rated for 50-75 gallons
If he didn't then yeah get a bigger filter.

 

Thank you Ghelfaire! haha my English sucks after 3am PT haha

 

Thank you Ghelfaire! haha my English sucks after 3am PT haha

lol, some plants may be, anubias, (i like elodea)elodea, java moss, java fern. Those make a tank look like it is wild.

 

lol, some plants may be, anubias, (i like elodea)elodea, java moss, java fern. Those make a tank look like it is wild.

You are saying avoid those plants? anubias and java?

 

You are saying avoid those plants? anubias and java?

I think they are suggesting those plants. Anubias and java ferns are the easiest plants to take care of aside from marimo moss balls (which are unkillable)

 

Dont put multiple dwarf gourami in the same tank. They will fight. Beautiful but mean little dudes.
If you'd like a gourami group for a 29 I'd suggest 4-5 honey gourami, as they are peaceful with each other.

Avoid anything with sharp edges. If you can, physically run your hands over every bit of the plastic object you want to put in the tank. Is there a sharp edge or point that feels uncomfortable to you? Don't put it in the tank. It will rip fins, which can then get infected.

Be mindful of the type of rocks you put in the tank. Most are fine and are inert, like slate or quartz. But limestone will raise your hardness and pH, which, given the types of fish you want to put in this tank, is bad. So avoid limestone rocks.

Plecos need driftwood for proper digestion. They eat wood! So be sure to have at least one piece in there for your pleco.

 

Are you referring to the resin/plastic tank ornaments? they should be safe/inert if made for aquariums but looking up reviews is always a good idea. those things also look a lot cooler once ther are in the tank. The problem is they sometimes have rough edges, especially on the inside. I turn them upside down and check the openings because my loaches will find any opening in any ornament. and you cant file down the edges of something you can't get to. So none of that stuff can be in my tank.
Nataku was right, You can not keep most gourami in a group. dwarf gourami are mean and even potentially dangerous even if you only keep one. Honey gourami, however, are schooling/grouping fish and peacefull. Sparkling gourami are also schooling peacefull fish. they are tiny little beauties, just dont add anything too big with them.