20 Gallon Stocking Ideas

[Oatsy]

Hi

I have recently decided to get back into keeping tropical fish and I would like to get some ideas from the community. I have a 20 gallon tank with lighting and plants with either a Fluval 305 external filter or a combination of two internal filters (depending on what fits under the tank) I am leaning towards a community tank but I'm open to any other suggestions

Thanks


-Chris

 

[fluttermoth]

Can you post the dimensions of the tank and whether your water is hard or soft, please?

 

[Oatsy]

Width: 26.5", Height: 15" Depth: 13" the water is fairly hard but I have peat available to soften it

 

[Byron]

It would help to have the numbers for the GH (general hardness) and KH (carbonate hardness or Alkalinity), and the pH while we're at it.  These you should be able to get from the website of the municipal water authority, or by calling them.
 
Softening water with peat is not always easy.  It all depends upon the initial hardness.  The harder the water, the more peat and more often it needs replacing, and it may not be practical.  In very hard water, the peat will not make any difference.   But before we get into all that, the numbers will help.  We may be able to suggest suitable fish that will be fine in the water as it is.
 
Byron.