New Tank - Possibilities?

[Easty]

Evening guys!

My new tank is currently in the cycling process, it's a 120Litre Fluval tank.

I turned the filter on and set the tank up yesterday afternoon, by the time i get back from holiday next week i'm gonna take a water sample down to my local shop and see how its getting on.

Water is still looking a little cloudy but hopefully that should clear over the next few days!

How does something like this sound for a community tank .. your suggestions are all more than welcome !!!!

15 Neon Tetra (for the shoaling effect)
4 Platys
9 Guppys
2 cory catfish
1 clown loach

or something similar to that effect !

What fish would be best to be introduced first from the list above ?

Thanks in advance

 

[Characin Jim]

Hi Easty,
Well I'm new to this forum, too, and you get my first posting! Not sure if that's good or bad, but I'll toss my 2 cents in . . .

In my experience, the fish you list should all get along, with the possible exception of the Clown Loach, which I don't know much about. Also, I like a lot of fish in my tanks, but the list you give sounds like a lot for 120 litres. Last point, corries prefer to live in larger groups, I would prefer to have at least six of them. They're generally a social fish.

Soooo, just my idea, but if I were setting up this size tank, I'd go with the very nice group of 15 neons you had in mind, and then add a half-dozen corries on the bottom, toss in some plants, and call it a day. If everything goes well and you have a nice filter system, you might be able to add the platys or a few more neons later.

For cycling up the tank, neither the neons nor the corries are the best for that. You might try some BioSpyra (or other brand equivalent) to help the process along. Better yet, if you have another tank with filter media to spare, try swiping some of that to jump-start the new tank.

I would definitely put the corries in last, whatever you decide.

Hope that helps. Just my thoughts

Good Luck!
CJ

 

[dwarfgourami]

First of all, I would look into the pinned topic on fishless cycling. This may seem like a lot of hassle and a long wait, but it is safer for the fish. One way of speeding it up is to acquire some filter media from an established tank, either a friend's or we have a list of members who are happy to donate, there might be somebody near you.

As for your fish list (once the tank is cycled):

I'd say no to the clown loach- they need a bigger tank and they're a schooling species

cory cats- yes, good idea, but I'd do a larger group, 4-6, as they will be much happier that way

Platys/guppies- I'd do one of these and stick to all males, either 5 platies or 6 guppies

15 Neon Tetra (for the shoaling effect)- yes, fine, but add them last when the tank has been running for a while with fish, and don't add them all in one go

 

[Easty]

brilliant, thanks guys!

my post was a bit unclear, i didnt mean to say what fish to add in the cycling process, i meant what fish should i add after the cycling process was complete, but thats been answered!

a bit of a strange one, but my tank is up against the wall, which is quite a dark cream, this is giving the impression the tank is quite murky, when the water has settled down fine !

You see some tanks which have a "scene" backing of plants or a solid colour etc, can you buy these for any tank or do they only come with certain ones ?

Thanks

 

[ktricky]

the backing can be bought for any tank and you have a few to choose from as well

are availible at most lfs/lps or online or you could just paint it mine is painted blue

i am in the same boat as you doing a fishless cycle that started a couple of days ago, But do have a second smaller tank

 

[doresy]

A little confused here

You are going to do a "fishLESS cycle" yes?

You will be adding ammonia then before you go on holiday then take a sample for testing to the LFS a week later?

Does this mean you do not have a test kit to make sure your ammonia level is correct at the start?

Are you going to be following the pinned post on Fishless cycling?