60l Tank And Bogwood

[Jonty]

Hi

Over a couple of years I've looked after a goldfish and shared responsibility of a small tropical tank. However now I've decided the make the jump to my own tropical tank.

I'm thinking of getting the Tetra Aqua-art 60l tank and thought I could get some Guppies (1 male and 3 females, hoping they breed?) and a Bristlenose Plec

I don't think that's overstocking, if the Guppies have fry but I just keep the tank well-planted, will a couple survive without the need for a hospital tank? I'm on a limited budget and have read that Guppies like shoals of 6 or more.

On the Bristlenose Plec, they need Bogwood, don't they? I've seen a lot of sites saying that it stains the water. Could fake bogwood be used or does it have to be the real thing?

Thanks everybody

Jonty

 

[Jonty]

Also, sand or gravel?

 

[waterdrop]

Welcome to TFF jonty!

You're describing the classic way that many get into the hobby and I see nothing wrong with the choices you are describing, most all being personal choice!

A 60L/15G is a much better small tank choice than a 40L/10G and you are obviously not describing a wish to overstock as many beginners do, which is great. If you really want to go the livebearer route (it leads to decisions later if the fry are overly successful and begin to fill the tank such that you must upgrade or find homes for them) then the natural method of letting the fry fend for themselves is much better in terms of not having the population increase as fast. Guppies are among the most prolific breeders on earth and the main problems with them these days is that they are sometimes found to be less resistant to disease due to inbreeding and that fish-TB has been pretty common in them in recent decades I believe. These are things you can do nothing about generally as a beginner though, so I wouldn't worry about them other than just being aware.

Guppies do not "school" per se, but just move individually about the tank usually picking at things looking for food and sometimes chasing each other. Starting in the 1960's males were bred with large iridescent tails that reflect light back nicely when the tank light is forward enough to get the correct angle bounce off the tail and back to the human viewer.

Having real bogwood, and real plants for that matter, will probably make you much happier in the long run. Bogwood can be placed in a bucket and have boiling water poured over it, you can scrub it with a coarse sponge and leave it to soak. Just play rough with it for a week like this while your tank is beginning its fishless cycle and you'll eventually be pleased with the results. This hobby is all about the opposite things you're used to in today's society -- its all about taking a nice relaxed long time with all the details of your tank, that's often what satisfies more in this hobby. Even if the bogwood still puts out some yellow tannins in your water for a while they are harmless or even good for your fish and will either clear eventually or you can help them along with some batches of carbon in your filter for a while. The gravel vs. sand topic I'll leave to others.

One of the great things about the "New to the Hobby Section" is the info helping a beginner learn the Nitrogen Cycle, so let us know how you are proceeding with that or if you've had any trouble locating those articles or fail to see how important they are.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Jonty]

Welcome to TFF jonty!

You're describing the classic way that many get into the hobby and I see nothing wrong with the choices you are describing, most all being personal choice!

A 60L/15G is a much better small tank choice than a 40L/10G and you are obviously not describing a wish to overstock as many beginners do, which is great. If you really want to go the livebearer route (it leads to decisions later if the fry are overly successful and begin to fill the tank such that you must upgrade or find homes for them) then the natural method of letting the fry fend for themselves is much better in terms of not having the population increase as fast. Guppies are among the most prolific breeders on earth and the main problems with them these days is that they are sometimes found to be less resistant to disease due to inbreeding and that fish-TB has been pretty common in them in recent decades I believe. These are things you can do nothing about generally as a beginner though, so I wouldn't worry about them other than just being aware.

Guppies do not "school" per se, but just move individually about the tank usually picking at things looking for food and sometimes chasing each other. Starting in the 1960's males were bred with large iridescent tails that reflect light back nicely when the tank light is forward enough to get the correct angle bounce off the tail and back to the human viewer.

Having real bogwood, and real plants for that matter, will probably make you much happier in the long run. Bogwood can be placed in a bucket and have boiling water poured over it, you can scrub it with a coarse sponge and leave it to soak. Just play rough with it for a week like this while your tank is beginning its fishless cycle and you'll eventually be pleased with the results. This hobby is all about the opposite things you're used to in today's society -- its all about taking a nice relaxed long time with all the details of your tank, that's often what satisfies more in this hobby. Even if the bogwood still puts out some yellow tannins in your water for a while they are harmless or even good for your fish and will either clear eventually or you can help them along with some batches of carbon in your filter for a while. The gravel vs. sand topic I'll leave to others.

One of the great things about the "New to the Hobby Section" is the info helping a beginner learn the Nitrogen Cycle, so let us know how you are proceeding with that or if you've had any trouble locating those articles or fail to see how important they are.

~~waterdrop~~

Wow, that's great, made me feel really welcome . Does anyone know if fish shops would take in or buy back fry? I might save up for another tank. Then get addicted and buy another. And another.

Donations are welcome lol

 

[waterdrop]

Fish shops are generally not helpful to customers with guppy population explosions.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[sic0198]

The brown stuff that leaks out of the real wood is called tannins. IMO they make the water look good and they are healthy for the fish.