I need help with my 20 Gallon Tank!

[Kealan2505]

So basically, I’ve decided I wanted a change for my 20 gallon tank, I’ve been considering rummy nose tetras as my schooling fish and maybe Rainbow kribs but I know they like to stay on the bottom of the tank so any suggestions for like top level of my tank but I’m open to suggestions on what you think would work well! I’d like a bright coloured centrepiece fish and defo some rummy noses!

 

[Ben2522]

So basically, I’ve decided I wanted a change for my 20 gallon tank, I’ve been considering rummy nose tetras as my schooling fish and maybe Rainbow kribs but I know they like to stay on the bottom of the tank so any suggestions for like top level of my tank but I’m open to suggestions on what you think would work well! I’d like a bright coloured centrepiece fish and defo some rummy noses!

Hi. I think well worth adding all of the details for your tank. PH number(acidity). GH number(soft or hard water). Also temperature and if its planted or not. I will have a look and see once you provide these. I would suggest liquid testing kits if your getting into the hobby. Perhaps dont add fish until you know these levels. Including nitrite, nitrate and amonis.; Need to see how many fish can go in your tank also so its not too over stocked. Sorry if your a veteran for fish keeping, its just there isnt any detail in your post.

 

[Kealan2505]

Hi. I think well worth adding all of the details for your tank. PH number(acidity). GH number(soft or hard water). Also temperature and if its planted or not. I will have a look and see once you provide these. I would suggest liquid testing kits if your getting into the hobby. Perhaps dont add fish until you know these levels. Including nitrite, nitrate and amonis.; Need to see how many fish can go in your tank also so its not too over stocked. Sorry if your a veteran for fish keeping, its just there isnt any detail in your post.

Looking at a temperature range of about 72.0-82.0
A Ph of around 6.4-7
Not looking to stock it too much mostly just looking to stock it with 5-8 rummy nose tetras, a bottom dweller and a centrepiece fish, I’m fairly new to this so any advice is appreciated

 

[Ben2522]

Looking at a temperature range of about 72.0-82.0
A Ph of around 6.4-7
Not looking to stock it too much mostly just looking to stock it with 5-8 rummy nose tetras, a bottom dweller and a centrepiece fish, I’m fairly new to this so any advice is appreciated

Hi Ok. Because of the rainbow kribs. I wonder if: https://cichlidtips.com/ram-cichlid-fish-everything-you-need-to-know/ would be interesting. It mentiones compatibility with the Rummy nose in the thread also.

YoYo loach is a nice interesting bottom dweller also.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Yo-yo loaches can’t be housed in a 20g. They need more room. They also need to be in groups of 6 or more.

 

[Kealan2505]

I don’t think I’d have yo-yo loaches anyways because they would probably eat the tetras! Anyone have any idea of what fish would suit in the same environment as rummy nose tetras! Preferably a vibrant colourful fish!

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I don’t think I’d have yo-yo loaches anyways because they would probably eat the tetras! Anyone have any idea of what fish would suit in the same environment as rummy nose tetras! Preferably a vibrant colourful fish!

Rummy nose tetras need a much bigger space than just a 20g. They need at least a 3 foot long tank.

You can get some Pygmy Cories. (A group of 6-8 would be nice)

You could also maybe get some neon tetras. (Providing your water parameters are correct)

 

[Kealan2505]

Yeah, I’m was even considering neons any suggestions of what else would look nice in the tank with neons? That would live in the same tank conditions

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I can’t think of anything off the top of my head. You really don’t have that many good choices with a 20g.

 

[Kealan2505]

I guess, a small school of neons and a Betta if it’s temperament is good! Maybe a Kuhli loach or two till I opt into a bigger tank!

I can’t think of anything off the top of my head. You really don’t have that many good choices with a 20g.

 

[Essjay]

Bettas are not community fish. And neons have teeth. Long fins and teeth are not a good combination.

You will read of bettas being kept in community tanks, it can work with some individuals. But it is also common for bettas appearing to live peacefully until one day he snaps and goes on a killing spree. Or the tank mates mature and eat the betta's fins. If trying this, always have a back up plan in place right at the beginning in case it goes wrong.

A small school of neons - just how small? They are shoaling fish which need to to be in a group of at least 6 with more being better. Same for the kuhlis.




To go back to the beginning, the first thing you need to know is the hardness of your tap water. You may be able to find this on your water provider's website, though other Irish members have had trouble finding it. Alternatively, take some tap water to a fish store (if there are any open at the moment) and ask them to test for GH. With both the water provider and fish store you need a number and the unit of measurement rather than vague words.
The reason we need the hardness is because there are hard water fish, soft water fish, and a few that need 'middling' water. Soft water fish kept in hard water, and vice versa, with suffer health problems and not live as long as they should. We should aim to keep fish with our tap water hardness around the middle of a fish's preferred range.
All the fish mentioned so far are soft water fish. If your water is hard, none of them would be happy.

If your water supplier is UISCE, use this page https://www.water.ie/water-supply/water-quality/water-hardness/

 

[Kealan2505]

Bettas are not community fish. And neons have teeth. Long fins and teeth are not a good combination.

You will read of bettas being kept in community tanks, it can work with some individuals. But it is also common for bettas appearing to live peacefully until one day he snaps and goes on a killing spree. Or the tank mates mature and eat the betta's fins. If trying this, always have a back up plan in place right at the beginning in case it goes wrong.

A small school of neons - just how small? They are shoaling fish which need to to be in a group of at least 6 with more being better. Same for the kuhlis.




To go back to the beginning, the first thing you need to know is the hardness of your tap water. You may be able to find this on your water provider's website, though other Irish members have had trouble finding it. Alternatively, take some tap water to a fish store (if there are any open at the moment) and ask them to test for GH. With both the water provider and fish store you need a number and the unit of measurement rather than vague words.
The reason we need the hardness is because there are hard water fish, soft water fish, and a few that need 'middling' water. Soft water fish kept in hard water, and vice versa, with suffer health problems and not live as long as they should. We should aim to keep fish with our tap water hardness around the middle of a fish's preferred range.
All the fish mentioned so far are soft water fish. If your water is hard, none of them would be happy.

If your water supplier is UISCE, use this page https://www.water.ie/water-supply/water-quality/water-hardness/

Water is my area is moderately hard really, I’ve had a Betta with a about 7 neons before and they were fine but I’m aware that they could strike out at any time but from my experience I haven’t had a problem! If you have any recommendations on what fish I could put into my 20 gallon it would be appreciated! Thanks for your advice!

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Water is my area is moderately hard really, I’ve had a Betta with a about 7 neons before and they were fine but I’m aware that they could strike out at any time but from my experience I haven’t had a problem! If you have any recommendations on what fish I could put into my 20 gallon it would be appreciated! Thanks for your advice!

Usually “fine”, does not indicate good. Even if they seem “fine” a lot could be going on.

 

[Essjay]

The problem with words is they mean different things to different people. My water company says my tap water is 'slightly hard' but it is 5 dH which is soft in fish keeping terms. 'Moderately hard' could be anything from the top end of soft to 'just about hard enough for guppies but too hard for soft water fish and too soft for hard water fish'

 

[Metalhead88]

With a pH under 7, I'd assume you have soft water. pH and GH are different, but do go hand in hand under normal circumstances. GH is the number you want to base your stocking off of so it's important to know that number.

I'm in 100% agreement with above comments.