Newbi

[wildfrost]

Hello.
I'm very very new to fish keeping and I thought I would keep it simple to start with until I get the hang of things.
I have bought a 30Ltr tank, which I set up yesterday.
I'm cycling the water whilst I decide what to put in.
What does everyone advice for a small beginners tank?

 

[Corydoralover]

welcome 2 the forums.for a tank that size maybe live bearers like guppies or platys or somethins like a group of 5-6 ember tetras?and maybe 4 corydoras pygmaues(spelling) hope this helps but ask around and find out as much as posible

 

[wildfrost]

welcome 2 the forums.for a tank that size maybe live bearers like guppies or platys or somethins like a group of 5-6 ember tetras?and maybe 4 corydoras pygmaues(spelling) hope this helps but ask around and find out as much as posible

Thanks for that. I'll start making a list.
What the maximum number of fish you would recommend?

 

[laura120381]

hello and welcom to the forum!!

glad to see that you have done your homework and are cycling your tank. the number of fish you can put in depends entirely on what you want to get!! why not have a wee look around and get some ideas?? if you want to post your list up here we will be able to advise you on numbers, compatibility, temperatures etc. as corydoralover said, guppies and platies are good beginner fish...pretty to look at and quite hardy. don't consider plecos as your tank is too small...same with clown loaches. they start off tiny but will outgrow a 30l very quickly!! danios also wouldn't do too well in your tank as they need a lot of swimming space. also remember to check out if the fish you like should be kept in groups (tetras 6+, corys 4+ etc.). you have enough room for a shoal of tetras etc but it might limit your other stock depending on what else you wanted to get. there are loads of sites on the net showing the many types of tropicals available and their requirements. have a look and let us know what you fancy!!

good luck and have fun choosing your fish. look forward to hearing what you decide on.


L

 

[Corydoralover]

so u had any ideas yet also do u have a test kit? if u do if ur cycleing maybe u might want to do a cycle log so people can see ho9w ur goin about it )and if u could post ur ph that can determine what fish u can get

 

[wildfrost]

so u had any ideas yet also do u have a test kit? if u do if ur cycleing maybe u might want to do a cycle log so people can see ho9w ur goin about it )and if u could post ur ph that can determine what fish u can get

Hiya,

I bought a test kit yesterday, so I'll start keeping a log like you said and post it for people to comment.
I like the idea of a shoal of tetras and maybe Platys. I looked at some pictures of them and think they could look quite pretty together.

 

[wildfrost]

Oooo, I know what else I wanted to ask...
At the moment, all I have placed in the tank for decoration is a small piece of bog wood. But it looks really plain and I don't want my fish to be bored when I do get them.
Bearing in mind it is only a small tank, can I still have plants in to liven it up?
If so, when will be best to get them...before or after I start to introduce fish?

Thanks again.

 

[Davehutton92]

with the plants i wouldnt put them in when your cycling your tank, put them in after your cycle has completed

also you could put some cherry shrimp in the tank too ( after its cycled of course)

 

[phishyphil]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Everyone has to start somewhere and now you have

The basics at the begining are all to do with your cycling, People become inpatient and start throwing fish in here, and not considering cycle lengths etc. However you seem to be following good advice and just refer to many of the cycle threads within the forum.

What I would say is it is actually harder to keep a smaller tank than a larger one as you "get away" with more harmfull affects in a large volume of water. However most newcomers beleive a small tank is more manageable. Small tanks can look GREAT however you will need to watch the water parameters extremely carefully.

In regards to plants, I personally would advise them to go in Straight away, they take in and use up harmfull aggents in the water which is what you are trying to iliminate as much as possible if cycling with fish. The waste from the fish will help build the beneficial bacteria within the filter (Hardly any in the water)

If you choose to fishless cycle you may wish to add the plants, figure out which wayu you would like to cycle, check the guides on here, as there are experts who have made "idiot proof" guides how to do so.
Plants will help you greatly in the long run, as it will act as a natural filter, provide food to certain fish, provide shelter for other fish, and provide a more natural environment (both to look at and the fish to live in)

Platys are a great fish as there hardy enough for the beginner aquarist, and come in a range of colours (the mickey mouse platys my favourite )

My essential advice to you is
(1) Test the water often
(2) Be Vigilant in your water changes
(3) Learn from your mistakes, as you will make them in! We all have.
(4) Enjoy the learning Curve of fish keeping

Welcome to the Forum and dont hesitate to ask Q's in the forum

 

[Corydoralover]

brill advice there phishyphil
i agee totaly and defo recomend to get live plant in there so good luck and keep us updated

 

[phishyphil]

brill advice there phishyphil
i agee totaly and defo recomend to get live plant in there so good luck and keep us updated

Thanks Corydoralover Good idea on the test kit buddy

 

[XeroTolerance]

to the forums! I also have a tank similar to your size. I think 30 liters is around 10 USD gallons. Anyways, I have a 10 gallon tank and I currently have 5 Flame Tetras, 2 Mystery Snails, and 1 Ghost Shrimp. I still need to add the mystery snails and ghost shrimp though.

 

[Fishy friend2]

 

[colleen0309]

Good morning and welcome! Nice to see someone asking questions before they get fish. Mistakes are more easily fixed when you don't have to worry about killing your fish. Good luck!