Back To Fishkeeping Again.

[andy_gtfc]

Hello everyone.
 
Earlier this year, I started gaining an interest in Fishkeeping, and I have my own fish tank. It only 48 litre one, but it did the job that I needed it to do. I have it in my bedroom currently, empty.
 
I am going to start the fish tank up again in the near future though as I am in the process of moving bedrooms, but I want something that I will be proud of. I am not the worlds best fishkeeper and I know I never will be, but I want a nice looking fish tank that is easy on the eye. Again, I have previously tried using real plants rather than 'fake' ones, but I think this time I will start with fake ones. I currently have two pieces of bogwood that I plan on using as the centre of the tank as well before slowly building it up.
 
With regards to fish, I haven't really thought about it. I have previously had a Bristlenose Plec, but that wasn't the most active, and mainly stayed between the bogwood. I am thinking on getting some Corydora's maybe as a 'cleaning type fish' that clears the gravel and keeps it clean. I would then choose something like Guppies to add a bit of colour into the tank along with a few others like Danio's and Tetra's etc.
 
What I'd like to know is the following scenario:
 
You have a 48 litre fish tank that you plan on filling with fish. You have a central piece of bogwood and you are going to add some 'fake' plants into it. How would you set the tank up to make it a respectable looking tank that doesn't look like things have just been placed there? And what fish would you put in?
 
Thanks to those that help. Any other questions and I'll try and answer them.
 
 

 

[Lunar Jetman]

Do you have the dimensions of the tank? It's quite small so you can rule out Danios straight away as they like a good deal of space to swim around in.

 

[andy_gtfc]

Do you have the dimensions of the tank? It's quite small so you can rule out Danios straight away as they like a good deal of space to swim around in.

 
39 x 33 x 43cm high

 

[fluttermoth]

It would help to know the dimensions of the tank and whether your water is hard or soft.
 
There are, really, no 'cleaning' type fish. They all make more mess than they clean and need proper food of their own. Cories shouldn't really be kept on gravel; sand is much better for them.
 
As to making your tank look like things haven't just been plonked in; try to imagine a triangle in your tank, and arrange everything to (roughly) fit in the triangle. Keep the same sorts of plants in clumps, as that's how they grow naturally. I've never used fake plants, and would recommend you go with real ones; there are loads of easy plants.

 

[andy_gtfc]

It would help to know the dimensions of the tank and whether your water is hard or soft.
 
There are, really, no 'cleaning' type fish. They all make more mess than they clean and need proper food of their own. Cories shouldn't really be kept on gravel; sand is much better for them.
 
As to making your tank look like things haven't just been plonked in; try to imagine a triangle in your tank, and arrange everything to (roughly) fit in the triangle. Keep the same sorts of plants in clumps, as that's how they grow naturally. I've never used fake plants, and would recommend you go with real ones; there are loads of easy plants.

 
The dimensions are in the in the post above and the water that I have is hard - very hard according to Anglian Water.

 

[the_lock_man]

A 48l tank isn't the biggest canvas upon which to paint your aquatic art, but I would go with 5 male endlers and a nice male Siamese Fighter.

 

[fluttermoth]

Agreed. You could always have some shrimp and/or snails (if your betta turns out to be a nice natured one anyway!) for more interest. Most shrimp/snails prefer hard water.

 

[RCA]

 
 
You have a 48 litre fish tank that you plan on filling with fish. You have a central piece of bogwood and you are going to add some 'fake' plants into it. How would you set the tank up to make it a respectable looking tank that doesn't look like things have just been placed there? And what fish would you put in?

 
I would attach Java Fern and Anubias to the bogwood, then you can move it if you want to and the plants move with it.
 
What is your reasoning for fake plants?
 
Check out these snails I have recently acquired.