New Tank Setup Advice

[A creature void of form]

Hello!

I've purchased a 15 gallon tank and am in the process of setting it up (just about to start a fishless cycle). I've got a couple of questions - any help would be appreciated.

1) Stocking idea

* 8 neon tetras
* 2 rams (cichlids)
* 1 American flagfish or similar (any suggestions to similar?)
* 1 invertebrate? (I was thinking of an apple snail - but these can grow to 6"! Any other suggestions? My ph is out of kilter for a shrimp at 6.8 ).

Does this sound like a reasonable set-up for my size tank? Any known compatibility issues?

2) I didn't wash my Silica (kiln-dried) sand before putting it in the tank...

...now full of water. My local Aquarium said that I didn't need to, as the sand is too fine to clean properly. But, reading various soruces online, I've read that it is crucial to wash any sand. I'm confused. Surely sand that has been kiln-blasted willl have removed any lurking bacteria?

3) Water Changes.

Just a quick one...what's the best was of aligning the temperature of the new water to the water in the tank? Is the easist way to put hot water in the water change bucket and wait for it to cool to the correct termperature?

Thank you very much for any help.

 

[merry78]

re: temperature....
you can boil some water in your kettle to mix with your cold tap water to get the approximate temp you need....don't worry too much about precise matching, if it feels close enough to your hand, it should be fine. (only get picky if you are doing like a 70% or more change...otherwise the temp will equalise really quickly in small water changes).
A lot of people prefer to use kettle boiled water instead of hot tap water, as the water heater in most houses uses copper pipes....highly toxic to fish! Having said that, i use a dechlorinator that is supposed to bind toxic metals, and i use hot tap water (without problems)....probably not recommended though.

sand: i think the reason people want the sand well washed is to help minimise the cloudiness that you get with unwashed sand. If your tank is yet to go through a cycle, i think any cloudiness should resolve by the end of it, before you add fish. Just remember to keep your filter off the sand surface to avoid sucking sand into your filter. Have not heard of bacterial problems with commercial aquarium sand, but others may know more.

stocking: it may be just me, but i am not too sure on your overcrowding/compatibility issues here. If you have done heaps of research, fine, otherwise, perhaps research more!
merry.



oops, ps....welcome to the forum!!!!

 

[A creature void of form]

A very informative post merry78, thank you. I had no cloudiness issues whatsoever with my sand, so I suppose it will be fine. Many thanks for the water change information also.


As to the fish selection, here was my thinking:

8 neons (red/blue - mid) 1.6"
2 rams (yellowy - mid-bottom) 2.4"
1 American flagfish (green - mid-top) 2.4"

(^all with mild temperaments, acidic, soft.)

...a lot of plants, smattering of bogwood, rock structures.

I think I'm good to go! (after the cycle, that is).

 

[vinylman]

In a 15G, I'd be more inclined to go for two or three groups of smallish fish, to give them plenty of swimming room, as Neons are very lively. Neons are ok, but not for a newly-cycled tank. Wait for a good 6-8 weeks AFTER the cycle has finished, as they do better in a matured tank. Add the first group of fish after the cycle, then just wait to add the Neons, it will be worth it.

 

[mark.w.jones]

Just a warning in advance. Rams and also neons are well known to be quite sensitive fish, especially in a brand new tank. IMO both will do better with a very slow, drip feed acclimitisation in a bucket over a few hours before being placed in tank. Just place fish in bucket on floor. Start a narrow siphon tube going from the tank into the bucket. Put a peg or two on the tube to slow water to a drip. Then leave for at least 2 hours before carfully adding to tank with a net.

 

[A creature void of form]

In a 15G, I'd be more inclined to go for two or three groups of smallish fish, to give them plenty of swimming room, as Neons are very lively. Neons are ok, but not for a newly-cycled tank. Wait for a good 6-8 weeks AFTER the cycle has finished, as they do better in a matured tank. Add the first group of fish after the cycle, then just wait to add the Neons, it will be worth it.

Will do. I'm thinking of 6 Cardinal Tetras now at any rate...I imagine they need an established tank too?

Just a warning in advance. Rams and also neons are well known to be quite sensitive fish, especially in a brand new tank. IMO both will do better with a very slow, drip feed acclimitisation in a bucket over a few hours before being placed in tank. Just place fish in bucket on floor. Start a narrow siphon tube going from the tank into the bucket. Put a peg or two on the tube to slow water to a drip. Then leave for at least 2 hours before carfully adding to tank with a net.

I'm a bit confused with acclimitisation. Is this two-hour method to equal the water parameters, or just to equal the temperature, or both? I've read that it can take several days for fish to acclimitise from old water to new...although I will do this (can't do any harm). But can anyone shed any light on the what acclimitisation is for?

Thanks.

 

[vinylman]

Yes, both Neons and Cardinals need a cycled and matured tank. Acclimatisation (IMO) is better taken slowly, to lessen the shock of any great differences in water parameters. I just feel more comfortable doing it the way described by Jonesy.

 

[A creature void of form]

Yes, both Neons and Cardinals need a cycled and matured tank. Acclimatisation (IMO) is better taken slowly, to lessen the shock of any great differences in water parameters. I just feel more comfortable doing it the way described by Jonesy.

Great, thanks for the clarification.