Help with Aquarium Set-up

[orangml]

Hello Everyone!

I am in the researching phase of getting my first (responsibly owned ) aquarium, and I wanted to get some opinions on the set-up I'm thinking about going with:

20 gal. tank with Bio-Wheel filter, heater, hood & light
1 java fern
1 sword plant
2-3 Platys
6 Neon Tetras
1 Oto cat
2-3 Corydora cats

Of course, I'm not planning on introducing all of these at once. I was going to start with the plants and the Platys, add the Tetras in about a week, and wait a few more weeks for the cats.

I really want a lot of movement and action in the tank, but not from conflict among the fishes, so I tried to pick less-aggressive, schooling species. I also want it to be as low maintenance as possible, so I want plants and scavengers.

I had some hodge-podge aquariums in college, but those were a nightmare :eek1: I'm ready to do it right this time, so please give me any and all information that you can to help me out.

Thanks in advance for any help! :goldfish:

-Melissa

[Alasse]

Hiya,

More plants the better, they can help with water quality and make the fish feel less exposed. Happy fish are healthy fish, they will so best colours and behaviours if they feel comfortable in their enviroment :)

Also a tank can take upto 6-8 weeks to cycle, please get it tested to ensure its finished before adding sensitive fish. :)

Platys ~ If you are going with Platys, get males, or you will be under seige from platy fry (platy objective in life EAT & BREED), If you get all females, they most likely will already be impregnated or storing sperm. Platys are pretty hardy and do well in cycling tanks (providing proper tank care is undertaken during the cycling process)

Neon Tetras ~ They really prefer 'soft' water (or low PH 5-6PH before getting them). Please get your water tested prior to stave off possible heartbreak for you later. While they can acclimatise to higher PH conditions, generally they dont do well and tend towards dying. These fish are not recommended for use in a cycling tank.

Oto ~ These are a schooling fish, you should have 5-6 for them to be happy. Definately do not add them to a tank still cycling. The parameters must be stable!!

Cories ~ They're an awesome little beastie and will do well in your tank :)

Just remember low maintenance doesn't mean no maintenance. You will have to do regular water changes. By using live plants, you will have to do plant maintenance (dead leaf removal, trimming ect)

[orangml]

Alasse, thanks for all your great info! :)

That's good to know about the plants because I was actually wanting more plants, I just didn't want to overdo it. :D

That is also very good about the Neon Tetra because I have already had my water tested, and it is right at 7.0. So I guess those wouldn't do so well with my water...how do you think Guppies or White Cloud Minnows would do in place of the Tetra's?( I really want more color than I have seen in the White Clouds, but they are still pretty.) Or do you have any other suggestions?

I'll nix the Otto, then. Is there anything else I could/should add to clean the glass in place of the Otto? I don't believe the Cories do, do they?

I am already most excited about the Cories :p The aquarium store that tested my water has some adorable albino Cory babies! I can't wait to get those!

Thanks again!!!

[Alasse]

In place of tetras ~ White clouds are a good fish....

you could get cherry barbs (http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_cherry.php), they're a pretty little red coloured fish.

Guppies are very pretty, again stick with males only (they're the colourful ones anyway)

Otos are one of the best algea eaters, they're small and non aggressive, bristlenose are another that would be suitable, though remember both require algae or they will die (specially otos) so be prepared with algea disk/wafers.

Personally if it was me, i'd stock it as such

4 platys males
6 cherry barbs
5 otos
3 cories

I have a just over 20gal tank and it houses

4 cherry barbs (4 more coming)
3 cories (2 bronze & 1 albino)
2 albino bristlenose
2 otos (3 more to come)

[dillydally6]

You also might want to consider plant tabs that you can place at the base of the plant so it can get some nutrients. :)

[mr gerbil]

Adding to what Alasse said, cories do best in groups of four or more.

If you're thinking about a 20gal, it'd be easier for both you and the fish to get a 30 or 40. Bigger tanks usually take less maintenance (unless really big ;) ) and toxins don't build up so easily.