First "real" Tank

[campbellmay]

I recently set up my first serious tank...in other words, the first tank I am keeping in my home for the sole purpose of keeping and enjoying the fish. In the past I have kept fish for my class of two-year-olds, but I've really started getting into the hobby so I'm starting small with a 20 gallon. Here is a picture:

I let it run for about a week (as per the directions that came with filter) and added 3 zebra danios to cycle it...about a minute before I found out about fishless cycling online. So that's why there are already fish in there. I'm keeping a close eye on ammonia levels and all that...is there anything else I should do to cycle the tank properly, even though I've added fish prematurely?

But the real question is this: what should I stock it with?

I've kept Mollies in the past and have been very happy with them. But I'm also interested in Bumblebee Gobies and Convict Cichlids. I am willing to keep up with any special demands the fish might have, picky eaters, special water conditions, whatever, as long as it isn't too advanced. I've heard Bumblebees and Mollies can be kept together, as they like the same water conditions...is that true? Basically, I'd like to keep two or three species of fish that will get along well together and are somewhat easy to breed (if I ever choose to do so) and aren't too delicate for a relative first-timer. Thanks for any advice you guys can offer.

Campbell

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

many fish could go in there! depends if you want something easier like dwarf gouramis and tetras or something like central/south american cichlids or maybe a small african tank may work.

 

[jtnova13]

you could have 1 con in that tank and no tank mates. If you want to go cichlids, you could try german or bolivian rams, a pair in a 20 gallon would be fun. other than that, you could put 2 schools of 6 or so tetra.

my 20 gallon has 2 schools of tetra and 2 bolivian rams but its planted and has lots of hiding places for the tetra.

 

[nukeonekitty]

Well to answer that question we need you to tell us what you ph levels are and total hardness. Also, to protect your fish from a serious amonia spike I would advice doing your normal water changes as well as daily ones. This makes it so the amonia is always getting out of your tank as soon as possible. If you have a way to get established filter media or substrate say from a friend I would advice you to put it in your tank to help establish beneficial bacteria.

As far as stocking (if water permits) I would think a nice community tank with smaller fish would be nice so that you can put more in. Cichlids really deserve bigger tanks (50+gal.) IMO.

I don't mean to seem like such a downer though, congrats on joining the hobby, you'll soon be hooked (no pun intended)! Have fun and DO YOUR RESEARCH!

 

[dwarfgourami]

About the bumblebees and mollies- they like the same kind of water: hard, alkaline and possibly with a touch of salt. The danios are not fussy about water parameters, but as far as I'm aware, they do not like salt.

The main problem with keeping mollies and bumblebees together would be that mollies are extremely greedy fish, whereas the bumblebees are rather shy, so there is a risk that the bumbles would get totally outcompeted for food- you would need to think over that problem.

Also, what you are planning to do with the danios. If you are keeping those, you will need to eventually up their numbers to 6-8 to keep them happy. And again, they are fast, active fish that would probably outcompete the gobies and might stress them out.

Just juggling these three species, I can think of a few options:

rehoming the danios and making a species tank for bumblebees

keeping the danios and upping the number to 6, then adding either 3-4 smallish corydoras or 3 female platies (similar to mollies but smaller, so will like your tank better) or one small plec (bristlenose or clown)

if you want to enjoy breeding, get a trio of platies or guppies or endlers- 1 male, 2 females; they will fill your tank in no time!

or get a trio of cherry barbs- they are egglayers, but quite easy to breed

corydoras are also not too hard to breed

 

[campbellmay]

Well to answer that question we need you to tell us what you ph levels are and total hardness. Also, to protect your fish from a serious amonia spike I would advice doing your normal water changes as well as daily ones. This makes it so the amonia is always getting out of your tank as soon as possible. If you have a way to get established filter media or substrate say from a friend I would advice you to put it in your tank to help establish beneficial bacteria.

pH: 6.8
Hardness: 425

Apparently, the water at my house is a lot harder than that at the daycare. Do I need to soften it, and if so, how?

I've been doing water changes every other day, but I'll go ahead and start doing them daily. The filter media/substrate is a good idea too.

Also, what you are planning to do with the danios.

I'm planning to move them to a different tank with three other danios, so they should be happy there.

And thanks for the advice about bumblebees. Would platies do okay with cherry barbs, or would they be too crowded?

Thanks for the tips, everyone.