If I Do New 15 Gal Tank... What To Put In?

[JustFrozen]

ok i recently go into this stuff and didnt find this place quick enough so it didnt go well the first time, fortunately most the fish got returned before i lost them. now with all the info avail to me on this site i think i can handle a good setup.

I'd like to get a 15 US gal tank up and running by the end of the year (or later depending on when i start), but before i go through with doing a fish-less cycle, i would like to plan out the objective a bit more (otherwise all the effort isnt worth it!). i cant seem to find good info on what type of fish would be best.

i want something small (no more than 2" adult) and would really like to experience some schooling. i'd also prefer not to deal with fry, so all male if possible. i live in southern california, usa, and we have really hard water here - a fish like guppy that prefers alkaline water would be best. but from what i've read and can tell, guppies dont school?? they are really pretty though and apparently easy to take care of so that would be a shame

also, havent selected what im putting in yet obviously, but it sounds like i should be able to fit about 6 or 7 in a tank that size (not all at once of course), and that should be enough for some good schooling behavior and spread out aggression if there is any. i dunno i'm still very new and learning this stuff. please let me know if im lost or crazy

i think its important that people like me ask these kind of questions before finding out the hard way and losing precious fishies! or just being unhappy with it

so realistically, what are my options?

 

[OldMan47]

So Cal water is fine for things like guppies, mollies, platies and swordtails. I have similar water that is a bit lower in total dissolved solids and it also works for me with goodeids and Heterandria formosa. Whether or not you have identified the ultimate fish stocking for a tank, the sooner you start the cycling process, the sooner you will be able to stock your chosen fish. With the water restrictions that you are facing, you do not want to get into the position of needing to do 50% daily water changes to save your fish while being restricted on how much water you can use. The fishless cycle means doing one water change of close to 100% at the end and then just enough after that to maintain your tank in a reasonable condition as far as nitrates are concerned.

 

[JustFrozen]

thanks so much for the reply!

it sounds like i need to not worry so much about what to stock until i'm ending the cycle. i see now there are a lot of choices. considering the many weeks it will take to cycle, i suppose i should concentrate on that instead. i just didnt want to move forward if there werent assurance i'd be able to stock it with something i'd be happy with

thanks again