missmenace
New Member
Hi. 
So, where to begin?
Firstly, I'm from Norfolk in the UK. I used to keep fish a good few years ago and learned alot back then through trial and error. Hopefully this will mean I make less mistakes this time around. Thats about all you need to know or would be interested to find out about me. After all, its all about the fish, right?
I acquired a 19 gallon tank in November which I cycled, using the method of adding food to the unstocked tank, all through December and have just added fish a couple of weeks ago.
So far I have 5 Harlequin Rasbora, which were first on my list as they are lovely, lively fish and I've found them to be quite hardy. And two Julii Corys, also lovely, charming fish which for some reason remind me of little dogs as they scamper around the tank.
I'm filtering by way of an undergravel filter with powerhead. I gather this is considered a somewhat outdated method but I've had good experiences with it and I'm tending to stick with what has worked for me and I know how to maintain. The tank contains a couple of good sized pieces of bogwood and 4 real plants. Sadly I don't know the names of the plants, they just don't stick in my mind like the fish names. Water tests, with an idiot proof test strip, are all looking good. 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite and only a small amount of Nitrate.
Ok, so now what?
I'm wondering what to add next. I have hankerings for some Cardinals, but I'll be waiting til later to add them once I'm sure the tank is fully matured and there are no teething problems. I also have my heart set on a couple of Blue Rams, but again will be waiting a while for the perfect time and specimens.
I am considering adding a handful of Rosy Barbs, 1 because I like them and 2 because I've heard they will have a nibble at hair algae which I have a bit of. I'm not expecting them to clear it up but maybe keep it under control. My concerns are that I don't have the capacity for a full 'shoal' of them and was thinking of maybe just 3. Would that be terrible? I seem to recall that I kept 2 in my previous community tank without any problem, but that was half as big again as this one. Also, if I add them next would they and the Harlequins 'fall out', what with them having similar pinky-red colouration? Advice please.
If, following advice, the Rosy Barbs aren't a good idea. What are peoples thought on Tropical Shrimp? Do they require any special conditions? What would the situation be if I needed to medicate the tank?
I think I should stop there before everyone loses the will to live. But there will be more, you can count on it.
So, where to begin?
Firstly, I'm from Norfolk in the UK. I used to keep fish a good few years ago and learned alot back then through trial and error. Hopefully this will mean I make less mistakes this time around. Thats about all you need to know or would be interested to find out about me. After all, its all about the fish, right?
I acquired a 19 gallon tank in November which I cycled, using the method of adding food to the unstocked tank, all through December and have just added fish a couple of weeks ago.
So far I have 5 Harlequin Rasbora, which were first on my list as they are lovely, lively fish and I've found them to be quite hardy. And two Julii Corys, also lovely, charming fish which for some reason remind me of little dogs as they scamper around the tank.
I'm filtering by way of an undergravel filter with powerhead. I gather this is considered a somewhat outdated method but I've had good experiences with it and I'm tending to stick with what has worked for me and I know how to maintain. The tank contains a couple of good sized pieces of bogwood and 4 real plants. Sadly I don't know the names of the plants, they just don't stick in my mind like the fish names. Water tests, with an idiot proof test strip, are all looking good. 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite and only a small amount of Nitrate.
Ok, so now what?
I'm wondering what to add next. I have hankerings for some Cardinals, but I'll be waiting til later to add them once I'm sure the tank is fully matured and there are no teething problems. I also have my heart set on a couple of Blue Rams, but again will be waiting a while for the perfect time and specimens.
I am considering adding a handful of Rosy Barbs, 1 because I like them and 2 because I've heard they will have a nibble at hair algae which I have a bit of. I'm not expecting them to clear it up but maybe keep it under control. My concerns are that I don't have the capacity for a full 'shoal' of them and was thinking of maybe just 3. Would that be terrible? I seem to recall that I kept 2 in my previous community tank without any problem, but that was half as big again as this one. Also, if I add them next would they and the Harlequins 'fall out', what with them having similar pinky-red colouration? Advice please.
If, following advice, the Rosy Barbs aren't a good idea. What are peoples thought on Tropical Shrimp? Do they require any special conditions? What would the situation be if I needed to medicate the tank?
I think I should stop there before everyone loses the will to live. But there will be more, you can count on it.
to TFF 
Do you have any pics of the aquarium and fish? 
