I've finally decided

[Jennet24 82]

(I think) on the three fish I wish to keep in my 80 litre tank.

Microdevario kubotai, Boraras brigattae and Danio margritus. And once I can be certain there are no snails left in my aquarium, will likely add a few cherry shrimp, thereby leaving my quarantine tank to be just that.

What are your thoughts please?

 

[GaryE5 3]

Keeping snails out borders on impossible. You will have to be a heartless crusher of snail dreams to succeed. They just seem to get in and persist.

But that's a nice Asian fish community.

 

[gwand44 161]

Three great colorful fish.

 

[Jennet24 82]

Keeping snails out borders on impossible. You will have to be a heartless crusher of snail dreams to succeed. They just seem to get in and persist.

But that's a nice Asian fish community.

I am most certainly going to try. Going off to research how to kill snails on incoming plants first using dips etc. Unless anyone can link me to something that definitely works. From what bit I have read on here, I know that it would be good practice once plant 'dipped' in something, to then wash it off after prescribed time and put it in dechlorinated water that is same temperature as the plant will be going in to. I think I will tend to leave things a little longer thank what people think, just to be on the safe side.

 

[Essjay44 159]

Or buy only tissue culture/in-vitro plants. These are totally snail free, and avoid any issues with any residual chemicals affecting the fish (and shrimps if any)

 

[Jennet24 82]

I think I've come to that conclusion from what I've been reading. My nearest store is just 100 miles away, so be better for me to have them delivered by overnight courier.

 

[bgarthe45 63]

My fav LFS is 120 miles away and I gladly drive there to get fish as opposed to the handling dangers of overnighting.

I love Kubotai Rasboras and had them for years. Just so you know……they are VERY active and could (without meaning to) spook the docile Chili Rasboras.

 

[Essjay44 159]

For fish, there's a Maidenhead Aquatics near Kidderminster (in Cherry Lane Garden & Leisure). For plants, mail order is fine as long as you avoid buying during very hot or very cold weather.

When I had kubotai rasboras I found they were very curious about the siphon tube which is why I started using a piece of net fabric tied over the tank end of the tube to keep them out.

 

[Jennet24 82]

For fish, there's a Maidenhead Aquatics near Kidderminster (in Cherry Lane Garden & Leisure). For plants, mail order is fine as long as you avoid buying during very hot or very cold weather.

When I had kubotai rasboras I found they were very curious about the siphon tube which is why I started using a piece of net fabric tied over the tank end of the tube to keep them out.

Thanks for that. I went to Cherry Lane the other day, but was in a bit of a rush and had my autistic grandson with me. I suppose I am naturally wary now, having been invaded by snails from one of the plants I had bought previously. Have binned them all now. More expensive to get tissue culture, but hopefully worth it for peace of mind.

That is why I was asking about what to soak plants in before, as I suppose I hoped a bleach dip would get rid of all such pests.

 

[MattW45 161]

Have a look at ProShrimp for plants . Also look into blister packs by Tropica a bit on the cheaper side, and a very very low chance of something being in the pack with them.

 

[Boundava3 2]

That is a beautiful combo. I have had all three in separate tanks and will say the celestials are the shiest of the three. The other two are boisterous in larger numbers.

 

[Back in the fold2]

Interesting . I’m not up on those particular fish but the group approves so you’ve obviously made a good choice . I’m still mystified by your aversion to snails . I like them but I can’t keep them alive . It must be my bare bottom aquariums .

 

[Jennet24 82]

That is a beautiful combo. I have had all three in separate tanks and will say the celestials are the shiest of the three. The other two are boisterous in larger numbers.

Will be getting some coconut hides and already have some tiny terracotta plant pots I can put in there for hiding. Hmmm.... just thought, need to put those in before plants, as I want to attach some plants to them.

 

[Boundava3 2]

Java and anubias can be glued down on wood, rock, coconut hides with ethyl cyanoacrylate (the nutso glue, lol). Not sure if you were using those types of plants.

 

[Jennet24 82]

So now I've changed my Oase 100 filter to a 200 which filters 650 litres per hour, I have found that I can add a few more fish.

So as well as the Microdevario kubotai, Boraras brigattae and Danio margritus, I am thinking of adding 3 or 4 corydoras and possibly a siamese fighting male as the centerpiece. What do people think please?