Hello To Everyone :unsure:

[fire_king]

hi all,

I just want to get some advice before i get on the bandwagon and start buying any fish, i want them to be happy like any hobbyist.

My tank:

I have a juwel 180L vision with gravel, rocks and one treasure chest ornament
the tank is a mature tank (used) has been running for a week in my possesion with a few neon tetras.

sorry if they are noob questions but i want the best for the fish:

I would like the following fish only if they are okay with each other so any advice is appreciated
(6 x neon tetras which i currently have)

3 x guppies (1M,2F)
black molly
white molly
6 x Leopard danio's
5 x harlequin rasboras
1 x siamese fighter
2 x platys


i want the tank to be planted with live plants so plant options will help me a great deal.

i have only had the tank a week and i just cannot get enough of looking at the fish absolutely loving it.

Also a great thanks to the forum for clearing a few issues i had, there is soooo much information on here


Thankyou

Bill

 

[Caprichoso]

So you have the old filter media running from the previous owner? If yes, and as long as you're willing to test the water parameters, you can add some fish...but not that many all at once. Reason being is the media will not be able to keep up with the sudden added fish that will be pooping and creating ammonia. Add 10% of the stock at a time, wait a 3-4 weeks, then you can add more. Also, you may have a problem with betta and guppies together..and you may not but it's a risk for sure, just so you're aware.

Good luck!

 

[Blubble37]

the betta will attack the guppies because it has a big tail and looks cooler than itself, berras arent the smartest of all fishies

 

[fire_king]

thankyou for the replys, any idea with plant and bogwood??

 

[SchottayB]

Amazon Sword and Java Fern are easy plants to care for. Bogwood will release tannis (sending the water tea stained) for a long time so most people soak it in a bucket of water for a while and keep changing the water.

Don't add all those fish at once or you might have troube with water quality. Do you have a water testing kit to keep on top of it?

 

[Fyurae]

The possibilities are endless.

Here are some easy plants I have experience with:

Anubias - grows slow in low light but almost impossible to kill provided you keep it wet http/www.aquahobby.com/garden/e_coffee.php
Brazilian Pennywort - would probably grow like crazy in complete darkness http/www.aquahobby.com/garden/e_hleuco.php
Java Moss - grows slow, but grows in every direction, so the more you get the faster it expands; its also very versatile, and can be trained to grow as a carpet, and thicket, or even bonsai; ideal for babies (since you want live bearers) and inverts to hide in and graze on http/www.aquahobby.com/garden/e_dubyana.php
Java fern - grows slow, but hardy in my experience http/www.aquahobby.com/garden/e_javafern.php
Guppy Grass - grows very quickly with light, grows slowly with lower light http/www.aquahobby.com/garden/e_Najas_guadalupensis.php

As for bogwood, you can usually buy some at a pet shop or wherever else you may get fish, but its too expensive for my taste. This is the easiest way, if you're willing to spend, since its usually a hard wood that will sink, and won't rot, and is free of hitchhikers. You can even buy them with plants already attached.

Alternatively, If you have a source for driftwood (an unpolluted waterway), you can collect your own. Just look for wood that isn't soft and crumbling or it will disintegrate quickly. Soaking in hot to boiling water (in the tub or a bin), baking (on low) or sun-drying are all ways to get rid of hitchhiking flora or fauna. It might take a while to waterlog and sink if you don't find it underwater. Just balance a rock on top, tie it to a rock, or wedge it under the tank frame (carefully) to hold it down. Depending on the type of wood, it can take a long time to sink.

 

[Fishy friend2]

 

[fire_king]

Thankyou for all your time and advice.

 

[Fishy friend2]

Ur welcome

 

[phishyphil]

Plants
Same as what others have said. If its a low tech set up (i.e. no co2, low lighting, basic ferts,)
Anubias - Attach to bogwood, rocks etc. Roots need to be exposed to water. Just use fishing line to attach to bogwood
Java Fern - Same again attach these to bogwood, rocks etc as the roots need to be exposed to water again. Just use fishing line, cotton thread or super glue
Java Moss - Excellent easily growing moss, and provides great hiding places for tetras, rasboras, danios etc. Do not plant just attach to bogwood, slate, rocks, coconut shells etc and put it under direct light
Green Cabomba - Basic green stem plant that grows well in low tech set ups, easy to cut and replant for endless supply of this plant, YOU WILL RUN OUT OF ROOM EVENTUALLY

Fish
In terms of the community set up you have the majority of the main contenders there with mollies platies and danios ets The Siamese Fighter is probably a poor choice, even though they are beautiful fish, they require a different set up to say the danios and harlequins. These like fast flowing jets, are extremely active. The Beta on the other hand likes extremely quiet water, not alot goin on in the tank, and to be with peaceful tankmates who can still get away if needed. The guppies will almost certainly become a chew toy for the fighter due to them not like anything will long or fancy tails. Avoid is my advice

If you do decide to add the fighter after this advice then my last point would be to add it LAST! add the others first (not all at once mind you) then the beta would be the final issue to hopefully break down any teritory issues, but give the beta a place where he can go for his own personal space, if you see him in a favourite corner, plant heavily around here for hime to feel safe and break the sight line up from the guppys

Welcome to the forum also

 

[XeroTolerance]

The betta (Siamese fighter) will attack the guppies so I wouldn't put those two together in the same tank.

 

[colleen0309]

Good morning and welcome! As everyone else said, the betta and guppies will probably not get along. I collect my own driftwood, and buy some pieces. The ones for sale never look like I want them to, but we have a creek across the street. I travel down it about twice a year looking for interesting pieces of wood and rock. I also like going to the state parks to look for nice pieces. If it's dry, it may take FOREVER to sink. I've had a piece for 3 months in my 55. I took the rock off it yesterday to clean and it still floated to the top!