BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish New Tank

Hello. I am setting up my first real fish tank. It is 20 gallons, and has
been sitting all set up for two days so far. I have a few questions, becuase
I really want to get this right.

1) These are the fish that I eventually want to get
3 male guppies
5 neon tetras
2 dwarf gouramies (sp?)
2-3 cory catfish

Is this too many? According to my calculations and research, it's just over
the 20" of fish rule. However, I have a book on beginner aquariums, and the
author there says to go by surface area. In that case, I am under the 27"
that that method allots. Also, does anyone see any reason that any of these
fish are poor choices for me?

2) Originally I was going to just start adding fish slowly (2-3 at a time)
in a bout a week or so, starting with the guppies. Now I am thinking of
trying fishless cycling (once I can find pure ammonia). Any recommendations
or experience?

3) I have an external power filter. Should I add an airstone for more
oxygen? The tank is at 78 degrees, and I have 4 live plants in there as
well.

and finally,
4) I just looked up and the tank water is cloudy. I know this is normal in
the first couple of days, but I am neuotic and need reassurance <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I really appreciate any advice that anyone can give me. I have done tons of
research, and just want to do right by my fish. Thanks!

Wow your fish are lucky because you already care enough about learning how to provide them a good home. I think your choice of fish sounds great too. Glad you know you need to cycle the tank first. Unfortunately I have never done the fishless cycling so do not know how it works, hopefully someone who has will give you some feedback soon.

Did you rinse your gravel really well, also thinking maybe the plants are already triggering and algae bloom. It will clear up just fine if that is all it is unless you do nOT have your tank in a really good spot. Not direct sunlight.
working with fish does take taime and patience to be succesful but in the end it will pay off with a beautiful and healthy aquarium.

I wish you well. Besure to get water test kits so you will know especially about ammonia and nitrite levels in your tank.Glo

Thanks. Yes, I did rinse the gravel what I thought was pretty good amount, and I do have it away from direct sunlight. If it's cloudy for more than a few days, then I'll start to worry <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hi Meow. Your list of fish sounds perfect. I would get 3 cory cats rather than two, since they are happier with more. As for gouramis, get a male and female, otherwise the dominant male might not let the other boy get any food or rest.

You may as well start your tank with guppies for cycling, or try usng hamburger meat for the fishless method. Just keep an eye on the water quality if you are going fishless - when your levels return to zero, you can add fish, slowly.

Also, add them in this order:

3 male guppies
2 dwarf gouramies (sp?)
3 cory catfish
5 neon tetras

Thanks for the advice Jilly. I posted this same question on another forum, and I guess they were all too good to respond to a newbie's question, b/c no one did. <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Everyone here seems really nice, and I look forard to being a part of discussions!

As for my new tank, I can't seem to find any pure ammonia, I've been to probably 10 stores, so I think I'm going to give up. I had read that you can also use fish food to cycle, but that seems pretty messy for cleanup. I think that I will start this weekend with the guppies. Also, if I add the fish in that order, should I add them in those amounts as well? Or should I do it a bit more slowly?

yes, those amounts should work nicely - and fish get along better when added friom the same batch. Just keep an eye on the levels, and do big water changes whenever you get a spike.