29g Stocking Questions

[AshleySpatula]

Ok soon i will be helping a friend set up a 29g tank, i am giving him the tank and the filter (biowheel150) and an air pump with a bubble wall.

now the fish that i have shown him so far that he likes are

black neon tetras
ember tetras
penguin tetras
rummynose tetras
golden dojo loach
galaxy rasboras
tubemouth pencilfish
porkchop rasboras
white clouds
green fire tetras
hummingbird tetras

he also likes Birchirs but i am not sure if they are ok with smaller fish and also being in a 29g

he doesnt want to get ALL those tetras but maybe two good sized schools (6-10)
and then maybe one or two bigger 'main attraction' fish that wont eat his smaller fish

also the hummingbird tetra is a bottom dweller and i have read that the hummingbird tetra can be kept alone.

what do you think so far and what would be a good medium sized fish to go in?
he also likes some of the dwarf gouramis...

also is the air pump and bubble wall a good idea? or would it bother the fish?

other than the tank filter, heater, lighting/hood, and master test kit what else would he need for starting a completely new tank?

 

[AshleySpatula]

no suggestions?

 

[n3ont3tra]

First of all, make sure he does a fishless cycle. There are pinned threads on it in the newbie section. You might want to find him some gravel and plants so it doesn't look too open. After the cycle is done you can focus on stocking. I think one large group of tetras and a group of bottom dwellers and a centerpiece is always a good idea for beginners. So 15-20 tetras (depends on type) and then probably the dojo loaches (~4? I'm not sure how many) and a trio of dwarf gouramis (2 female 1 male) would be good.

 

[AshleySpatula]

thank you i know he needs gravel and decoration and such and i have already gone over with him the importance of cycling.

i was just wondering if there was any other equipment needed other than tank, filter, lights, master test kit and heater and if the
bubble wall would be a good idea or if it would bother the fish?

we also want to make a little 'mountain' of medium sized rocks to make caves and hiding places n such, i can just use aquarium sealant to
glue them together right?

 

[Squidman]

Wow you must enjoy tetras alot. A good medium sized fish would be a pearl gourami. They are good looking. Bichars would eat tetras especially small ones.

 

[eschaton]

Seems like most of what he likes is South American fish. I'd suggest as a "centerpiece" either an adult male Emperor Tetra (and some females for a harem), or else a pair of Rams/Apistos/Nanacara or other dwarf Cichlid to go along with two tetra schools.