New 33G Tank, Need Sanity Check

[Botch]

I have a 75G with an oscar and striped raphael, and a small betta tank.

I'm starting a 33G tank at the request of my wife. After weeks of research my brain has gone mush and I just wanted someone to take a look at what I've planned on stocking before I start shopping.

I will be using sand substrate, using driftwood and live plants/moss. I typically prefer Amazon Swords, Java Ferns, Java Moss.

2 X Bolivian Rams (Ideally 1 male 1 female....but it will probably be two males) by using driftwood to divide up space they shouldn't have aggression issues
1 x Honey Gourami
10 X Cardinal Tetras
5 X Dwarf Neon Tetra
1 x Bushy Nose Pleco
1 X African Dwarf Frog (my daughters input...I have never owned one of these before)

I appreciate any input. Also if there are better ideas for plants let me know. I tend to go with what I already have, but am not opposed to trying new things.

 

[Chad]

I have kept the rams before and I did not find them to be aggressive. I think it's just a matter of the right aquascape which it sounds like you have.

The dwarf frogs are nice but they do need a little place where they can come out of the water from time to time. They stay under for long periods of time but they are like red claw and fiddler crabs in that they don't stay down there forever. I like them but honestly don't really recommend them.

I love the honey gourami but I really found it a difficult fish to keep. If there was one fish I would recommend changing it would be that one. That's just based on my experience with them. I finally had success with them after putting them in a tank with tall plants (the swords should do the trick if you let them grow) that brushed the surface of the water. They seemed to really like hiding under the plants so if you had sweeping plants or floating plants I think that would make a difference.

 

[Gvilleguy]

Except for me not knowing about the honey gourami or the frog, I think your stock plan is spot on for that size tank. Nice! I have a similar stock in my 26 gallon.

 

[Botch]

Except for me not knowing about the honey gourami or the frog, I think your stock plan is spot on for that size tank. Nice! I have a similar stock in my 26 gallon.

I appreciate the feedback. I put sand and water in yesterday, so waiting out the cloudy water phase, and then I'll add plants in a few days and fish in a couple of weeks. I took a filter from my 75G and filled the new tank with 25% water from the old. So far the numbers are good. Wish there was a way to speed up waiting on the sand to settle...#40## patience...lol.

 

[The Taffy Apple]

Except for me not knowing about the honey gourami or the frog, I think your stock plan is spot on for that size tank. Nice! I have a similar stock in my 26 gallon.

I appreciate the feedback. I put sand and water in yesterday, so waiting out the cloudy water phase, and then I'll add plants in a few days and fish in a couple of weeks. I took a filter from my 75G and filled the new tank with 25% water from the old. So far the numbers are good. Wish there was a way to speed up waiting on the sand to settle...#40## patience...lol.

for seeding the filter media across, continue to check before getting any fish.
Maybe go with the Cardinals, remembering that they do prefer older tanks though.
Ignore the frog idea, apologise to your daughter, and get something else...maybe some Corys? i have Albino and look awesome on my light coloured sand.
Rams are beautiful, i have a Golden Ram..but they cannot tolerate NitrAtes as other fish can and the weekly water changes sometimes have to become twice weekly...but hopefully your plants will help you with some of it.
Looking forward to pics

Terry.

 

[onidrase]

I'd avoid the frog tbh. They do best in tanks less than a foot deep, need a high protein diet, and are very prone to getting infected cuts or just random bacterial infections. they don't seem to do well in an average community.

 

[Botch]

Ok, sounds like the frogs won't make the final list. I'm waiting on the plants I ordered to arrive. I'm going to tie the java moss to driftwood and the same with the java ferns. The amazon will be the center piece. 2 weeks after that the tank should be good to start adding fish. Sounds like the cardinals may be good to add last, maybe after the tank has been running a full month or more.

 

[Chad]

That sounds good! Post some photos as you go so we can all see the progress.

 

[Gvilleguy]

If it's going to be a few weeks before adding fish, should Botch consider feeding the bacteria with an ammonia source?

 

[Mr.fry]

how do i know when my dalmation molly squared off

 

[Chad]

If it's going to be a few weeks before adding fish, should Botch consider feeding the bacteria with an ammonia source?

Most certainly! It's part of fishless cycling. I use a bit of shrimp myself and that seems to do the trick for me. I know there are commercialy availableble ammonia products but I like the simple old fashioned shrimp in the tank method.

 

[Botch]

That's a good point. I'll see if the wife has a pair of nylons she doesn't need. I typically put shrimp in the nylons and let them die and rot, then before I put fish in, do a large water change. Typically does the trick.

 

[Gvilleguy]

Okay. Good. Glad you have it sorted. I didn't want your nice bacteria colonies to starve!

 

[Botch]

Okay. Good. Glad you have it sorted. I didn't want your nice bacteria colonies to starve!

Nope, that would be a waste of a good start to a tank, and I'd have to cycle again. I may just get plant and add fish since it looks like the water will be suitable shortly. Most likely some glowlight tetras. They're my starter fish of choice.

 

[Chad]

I like the orange in them. It's a nice looking fish.