setting up a tank -fish suggestions

[samuel]

I have an 18gallon hexagon tank that measures 18" wide by 30"high. I have had already a bad experience with fish dying since I jumped into populating the tank on the advice of my LFS but without knowing of this forum (which I find just excellent).

Oh well, I want to start fresh again and I am in the beginning of cycling my tank.
I would like to go fresh water with live plants (preferably some low plants as well as high), and some small colorful fish.

I am asking for suggestions, since I want to do this the right way.

 

[OohFeeshy]

I'd go with the old fail-safe- platys. I am thinking of starting again too- When I had my tank coldwater (umm.. 3 days ago) I had some guppies that were coldwater in the shop. 2 died, and the last one died today. I think it's partly because of the heater, partly nitrate levels, partly something else (just made that up ) But I think I will turn my filter off for a few days, do an almost complete water change, let the water heat then get some platies.

 

[memnon]

hello

if it were me i'd get some platies,swordtails or tetras but thats me i'm sure you'll find what your'e looking for

memnon

 

[newfishies]

But I think I will turn my filter off for a few days, do an almost complete water change, let the water heat then get some platies.

oohfeeshy-
i know this is off-topic, but shutting the filter off will kill any bacteria you have built up. you will need to keep adding some ammonia/fish food to keep the bacteria alive until you get your new fish. otherwise you will have to go through the entire cycling process again!!!!

samuel -
are you doing fishless cycling or regular?

 

[corykitty516]

ooohhh yay I'm glad you came back. We were kind of harsh in one of your first posts )

Anyway ....

TETRAS!!!!! You can find a small version of about any big fish you like in a tetra. My personal favorite is the pristella tetra. Someone once commented that these are reminicent of red tailed black sharks but Pristellas only grow to 2"
There are a few vartieties that can be agressive and some that grow larger than others so be sure to research first.

Oh and a sturdy little school of cory catfish (4-6). I have julii but they are hard to find and expensive (but have been very hardy). Avoid pandas when you are starting out because they can be fragile. Peppered are pretty cool. I'm currently planning on getting some green cories after my 10 gal relinquishes its occupants to the garden pond.

You might also want to think ahead and leave some room for a few otocinclus in the future. They also can be quite fragile. I've been successful with mine so far because I grew a ton of algae on the glass, quarrantined for 2 weeks and picked the biggest ones in the tank when I got them.


ohhh here is an idea ... someone double check me on this though .... how about 1 or 2 DWARF neon or powder blue gouramis and some cories.

 

[samuel]

"Baptism" by fire may at times be the best way to learn. in this case it was at the expense of my tank tenants. All said and done, I am glad I have joined the forum and learning alot with all the different discussions.

My first posting feedback I must say took me down at the knees but were back up and wanting to do it the right way.

Thanx for the advice.

 

[sylvia]

I suggest honey gouramies - about 3 of them, 4 bronze cories and 5 harlquin rasboras or black phantom tetras. If you want realy hardy though, deffinately platies though all those I mentioned before are hardy fish too.

 

[dirtydogg]

Glad your sticking with it. All of the fish previously mentioned are wonderful and colorful it's all personal preference. As for plants look for plants that have low light requirements. 30" is a long way for light to travel.

 

[northpaul]

also danios look great and very hardy but must be a small group at least five unless you want to breed i think you can keep different ones to make the group up

 

[OohFeeshy]

Whoops I wrote the wrong thing I was thinking about different ways to heat the water up. I will probably move the heater, not turn off the filter.

 

[sylvia]

You have to be careful with danios because most of the common species like zebra, leopard or pearl danios need at least a 20 gallon long to feel comfortable as they are very active fish. They also always need to be in a group of 5 of their own species or one that is similar. The species that would be suitable for a tall (as opposed to long) hexagonal 18 gallon are limmited to only some tiny species which tend to be rarer.

 

[OohFeeshy]

AS I said, I'd either go with platies, mollys, guppies or suchlike. Cories would be nice for bottomers, um... tetras... Just look around for small fish, usually advertised as good for beginners.