20 Gallon Start

[Neil Mani]

Hello. I recently got a 20 gallon tank. I have been in the hobby for a few months now and have 2 ten gallons. One which is a work in progress and another wich is doing great. I wanted to do something with a 20 gallon but have no ideas for it. Also, I dont want to over stalk it. I was thinking about getting dwarf chain loaches, platies, twig-catfish, cherry barbs, plecos, and other small fish as listed. Btw, this is not all for the same tank, just fish I wanted. Also, I do not want 1 speices of fish in more than 1 tank. I currently own, 1 apistogramma, a school of cardinal tetras, 4 kuhli loaches, 1 golden wonder killifish, 3 otocinculus. For my upcoming tank, I am going to get 2 peacock gudgeons, 6 neon tetras, 6 harlequin rasboras, and 1 amono shrimp.

 

[sgropp311]

Do you know if you’re getting a 20 gall tall, normal or long? Also i’d like to just make sure you’re cycling the tank before putting fish in it, many people new to the hobby don’t know about cycling tanks.

 

[Byron]

Seems this thread was missed until today...well, we've found it now.

In addition to providing the dimensions, can you give us the water parameters for your source water? GH especially, and pH. Some of the fish mentioned will not have sufficient room in a 20g (regardless of dimensions), but others might once we know the params. Do you have/intend gravel or sand for the substrate? There are some nice fish like cories but sand is essential.

 

[Neil Mani]

I am a beginner ,but still cycle all my tanks. The 20 gallon is a 20 gallon tall and I intend to use sand with 1 layer of gravel for plants to grow. I want this to be a planted tank with as much plants as possible. I am not sure what my water parameters are but I live in Texas. Hope that helps. And I do want to put cories in here. I was thinking about putting dwarf chain loaches, Julidochromis pair, etc. Also update, I am not getting the tetras and rasboras. I am turning that tank in to a profitable breeding tank with shrimp, some kind of fish like badis, galaxy rasboras, or some other small fish. I also wanted it to be heavily planted. I am doing this because I do not want my dad to pay for all my fish stuff. (P.S. I am only 12). I got the peacock gudgeons and they are temporarily in my 10 gallon that is setup already. Also, any tips for breeding peacock gudgeons. Thanks.

 

[Byron]

Water parameters refer to the General or Total Hardness (the level of dissolved calcium and magnesium, abbreviated GH), the Carbonate Hardness (KH), the pH, and the temperature. Of these the GH, KH and pH will be basically determined by your source water makeup; you may be able to find these values on the web site of your municipal water supplier. It is important to know these, because some fish need harder water, some much softer, some sort of in the middle...and selecting fish suited to your available water will make things much simpler. Regular weekly partial water changes of 50-60% of the tank volume are easy to do when you can use the water "as is" with just a good water conditioner to detoxify chlorine/chloramine.

I won't comment on any of the mentioned fish, except to say that if you intend cories, do not use any material but smooth sand for the tank's substrate. Plants will not grow better with the so-called "plant" gravels or soils anyway, but these can cause real issues for substrate fish. The tank is not large enough for the loaches, just so you know.

 

[Neil Mani]

When I said a layer of gravel, I meant a layer of gravel on the bottom layer. I would never put cory catfish on gravel.

 

[Byron]

When I said a layer of gravel, I meant a layer of gravel on the bottom layer. I would never put cory catfish on gravel.

I had assumed that. But when you put gravel on the bottom, and sand on top, the sand and gravel will mix, due to water currents, fish activity, gravity, etc. And the cories are filter feeders that dig their snouts into the substrate and take up a mouthful of substrate, filter out any food, and expel the substrate via the operculum (gill covers). This can cause issues, not just the possible sharpness of the gravel, but bacteria in that layer. The substrate in a tank for cories should be entirely smooth sand,

 

[Neil Mani]

I see your point now, I never really had any experience with corydoras. A long time ago, my dad got me an albino cory and I was absolutely clueless about it. I had it for a week and the it died. That explains it now. Thanks Again. Also, do you know how to breed peacock gudgeons.

 

[Byron]

do you know how to breed peacock gudgeons

I have no experience with this fish but some other members likely have.

 

[Essjay]

Also, do you know how to breed peacock gudgeons.

This question has been answered here

Breeding Peacock Gudgeons

Hello. I recently picked up 2 peacock gudgeons(m&f) so they can breed. Though, I was not exactly sure how to do it. I wanted some what f a challenge because I successfully bred bettas and guppies with ease. Is their a specific or recommended way to do it. What should the water parameters be and...

www.fishforums.net

 

[Neil Mani]

This question has been answered here

Breeding Peacock Gudgeons

Hello. I recently picked up 2 peacock gudgeons(m&f) so they can breed. Though, I was not exactly sure how to do it. I wanted some what f a challenge because I successfully bred bettas and guppies with ease. Is their a specific or recommended way to do it. What should the water parameters be and...

www.fishforums.net

Lol. I created that thread there after I posted that reply.