My Tank

[livvyy]

Hi this is my first tank I have ever done so I am an absolute beginner. I have just fishless cycled (around a month it took) my Blue planet classic 50 (50L) curves fish tank (55cm H x 30cm H x 43c W), it has a 3 stage filter and filters about 450L/ph and a heater. I have (white and black) gravel substrate, 3 fake planets 3 real ones (maybe getting more) and 2 orniments (one of them fish can swim through n stuff) that also have fake plants on them.

For my tank I have been looking around and the fish I have decided on (took me about a week to research them and find their compatablities) are as followed:

1 dwarf gourami (one I have been looking at for a while)
1 Macmaster Dwarf cichlid
8Galaxy Rasbora
6Dwarf Cory
 
what fish should I put in first or just all in straight away? any suggestions on the fish I have chosen? any advise is always welcomed

 

 

[Lunar Jetman]

Welcome to the board. If it were me I'd have a pair of dwarf Cichlids rather than just one. Ease them in slowly, say Corys then a week or two later, the Cichild(s), then a week or two later the Gouarmi (again you could have more than one) and then a week or two later the Rasboras.

I'm sure some people would suggest putting them in closer together but it would be a shame to undo all that good work you've put in cycling the tank by adding them all quickly and not letting the tank settle in properly.

 

[CezzaXV]

A month! I'm jealous! My fishless cycle took forever!

Dwarf gouramis are my favourite fish so great choice. I'm not familiar with the cichlid but they can be funny fish so make sure you do your research before buying. The galaxy rasbora should be great, as will the cories (another of my favourites) though they do much prefer a sand substrate. You'll notice a massive change in their behaviour so if you can get sand I would highly recommend it.

 

[livvyy]

hey thank you I was considering only one of the dwarf cichlids and dwarf gourami because of the size of my tank and I didn't want to over stock it considering I only have a 13.2 gal tank (to me known as 50 Litres because I live in aus) and yeah I was thinking of adding slowly just not sure some people have told me I can put them all in at once but was worried about ammonia and stuff going up fast... causing more stress for the fish


what if I made like a small sandbox (well buy the box thing and put the sand it it for them) so they could have that to dig around in and stuff I just don't feel like tanking all the gravel out at this point incase it upsets my tank and ive got it sitting how I want for now....

 

[leighton_87]

It might just be me but on that picture that tank doesn't look full?

It only a small tank so make sure you fill it to it maximum water level, especially considering the inch or two you lose for gravel and ornaments

 

[livvyy]

Yeah I topped it up after (water evaporated)

 

[This Old Spouse]

In my opinion, I'd not put cory in there because of the substrate. They really do best on sand. And I'd also hold off on the dwarf gouramis until your tank has been established for some time. 

 

[livvyy]

I am so confused now I thought I was doing good read a few other forums and some people have said that dwarf gourami can get diseases and stuff and some people say that its ok to have the substrate I have and then some not for corys! I am totally confused what if I put like some sand in my tank (even similar to a sandbox for them) and does anyone know of any other fish that would be great for this tank to be kept alone with either the dwarf cichlid or dwarf gourami...?

 

[frapadoodle]

Corys do much better on sand. It is mainlu for thier barbels. If the gravel is smooth rounded stones they sbould be okay, but like pigs they like to root around so sand is better.
As to dwarf gouramis, due to the excessive inbreeding to get the vibrant colors they are disease prone.

 

[livvyy]

yeah most the gravel is smooth... I was thinking putting some sand on one side or as a sandpit for them to play around in and yeah I just found all this stuff on google about them being prone to disease I am not going to get the dwarf gouramis may look for another fish that would do well on its own in a community small tank... know of any others?

 

[frapadoodle]

If you like gouramis sparkling are nice.
But to be honest the tank is on the small side. 6 dwarf cory, up the rasbora to 10 and perhaps a betta. Would add last, maybe a male if laid back enough, a female otherwise.

 

[This Old Spouse]

It's not so much whether the gravel is smooth for the cory. They like to snuffle through the sand and sometimes even dive into it. 
 
Not advisable to mix sand and gravel. I did that in a tank once and it's terrible to try and clean.

 

[jocie1976]

I have cories in a couple of tanks. One with sand, one with rounded pea gravel. They seem to do fine on both. I did have cories in a tank with rougher gravel and their barbels completely eroded (I was a new fish keeper and didn't know better). As long as your gravel isn't sharp edged, they should be fine. I tried dwarf gouramies 3 or 4 times and had absolutely no luck with them. Never lasted more than a couple of months.
 
I second the recommendation of a Betta in the community. I have 2 (in two tanks) that both live with other fish with no problems. One (the male) lives with Cherry barbs, cories and Cherry Shrimp. The other (a female) lives with guppies, endlers and bn's. Bettas can absolutely mix with other fish if chosen well and come in so many different colours.
 
Good luck with your tank!

 

[livvyy]

hey so I got my fish today ended up getting:
 
-6 Harlequin rasbora (will get some more in a few weeks just want to see how these go)
-4 panda cories
-1 curviceps dwarf cichlid
 
they are all settling in fine just turned my light on (use it as a night light in my room) and they all seem to be interested in (Except the corys) their reflection i put a little food in and only the cory's ate it. suggestions on good feeding times? and one of rasboras have only one eye... only just noticed it should i just keep an eye on him?