Setting Up New Tank, 46 G Project.

[l_l_l]

Hi there!
 
Some of you might know me from a few of my previous posts about my 20g tank, or some other stuff I've posted..
I'm relatively new to the hobby (6months) and just finished setting up my 20G planted aquarium. It contains neon tetras, a Betta, a few neritina snails, a Bamboo Shrimp and a bunch of RCS.
 
While I was getting all of this setup, my girlfriend managed to score a free 46G bowed aquarium. Sweet deal!
 
Since my 20g has been stable for the past week or two, I started building my tank stand for the 46. I will be finishing it during the week and finally, I'll start cycling the tank.
It will be my first fishless cycle, as the 20G was cycled using goldfish, while I didn't even know what cycling was. Luckily, goldfish are hardy and it was quite easy doing so.
 
Anyways, I am now thinking about what type of fish to get for this tank, I'm 100% sure I want loaches, (most likely Kuhli loaches), Harlequin Rasboras (9 of them), and then, I don't know..
I also want to add some shrimp in my tank, will most likely be using the one who breed from my 20g.
 
I'm thinking female Betta sorority, but I know I'll need at least 6 of them, but would go with 7 since they prefer being in odd numbers,
But again, I really want some schooling fish..
 
Here is what I'm considering:
 
Panda Cories,
Rummy Nose Tetras,
Glowlight Rasboras,
Galaxy Danios,
 
My main goal is to have small fish only, I don't really care for large fish.. I want a kind of fish who will school/use the top part of the tank, another kind of fish who will use the middle, and a school or kind of fish that'll hang on the bottom of the tank with the shrimp.
 
 
You guys have suggestions?

 

[the_lock_man]

There are loads of shoaling species available, and in a 46gallon tank, you have plenty of scope.
 
In my opinion, you want more of a few species, rather than 6 of each of 10 species (or whatever). The only thing to watch out for is some of the barb and tetra species are known for being too boisterous (tiger barbs, black widow tetra are 2 that immediately spring to mind). The species you have listed there are all fine on that score (remember that the last one is the Celestial Pearl Danio, which used to be known as the Galaxy Rasbora).
 
Shoaling species will only "shoal" together when they feel threatened - it's a defence mechanism. All the while they are content, they won't stick together too closely.
 
The female bettas will be more top dwellers, as they want to breathe air as well as taking oxygen through the gills. The rasbora/tetra/barb species are the middle dwellers. The kuhlis and the cories are bottom dwellers. (And I think you've got the perfect cories, I really like pandas).

 

[l_l_l]

Thank you for your answer lock_man,
I have noticed that as well, my neons in my 20g are not really shoaling together anymore, they form a "loose pack" when the Betta is around, and even then, they hang out with him, probably thinking he's one of them (he really looks like a giant Neon)..
 
What I was thinking was, maybe two schools of fishes ( 9 Harlequin Rasboras + 9 Celestial Pearl Danios..) 7 Panda Corries for the bottom..
But that would leave me without the possibility of having Kuhli loaches, as they would need to be in a group of about 6..
And couldn't even have a Betta sorority as I would have about 41 inches of fish in there already..
 
Back to the drawing boards!

 

[l_l_l]

Ok! I'm now thinking I won't keep Celestial Pearl Danios as they are cold water fish..
I'm clueless.

 

[l_l_l]

Deciding is hard!
 
Right now I got on my head:
 
6 Rummy nose Tetras, 9 Harlequin Rasboras and 7 Panda Corries.
And a Betta.
That would put me at the 46 inches of fish, meaning one gallon per inch.
 
I'm scared of over populating the tank..
Should I?

 

[rockdon]

I wouldn't be too worried about overpopulation with this mix, for the most part they're pretty clean fish and if you monitor the tank closely you should be okay just make sure you test the water frequently and keep the tank clean. 
 
- hope this helped 

- rockdon 

 

[Seal36]

Definitely go for the rummy noses they are the only tetras that I have had that have ever constantly schooled also if you wanted a low schooling fish have you considered five banded barbs. The barbs look like tiger barbs but without nipping and are smaller too. I have a group of 10 and they constants follow each other around the tank and there is nothing in there to threaten them from Tom

 

[the_lock_man]

Ok! I'm now thinking I won't keep Celestial Pearl Danios as they are cold water fish..
I'm clueless.

 
You certainly are!!!
 
CPDs are not coldwater fish. There are a number of small danio species which have been relatively recently reclassified from Rasbora - CPDs are one of those. They are perfectly happy in calm tropical waters.

Definitely go for the rummy noses they are the only tetras that I have had that have ever constantly schooled also if you wanted a low schooling fish have you considered five banded barbs. The barbs look like tiger barbs but without nipping and are smaller too. I have a group of 10 and they constants follow each other around the tank and there is nothing in there to threaten them from Tom

 
Fish generally feel threatened when they see a big human face staring in at them

 

[Seal36]

Even when I'm at the other end of the room both groups will still school. The rummynose have a pair of kribensis to keep them together but the five banded barbs don't have any threats in the tank to keep them together but they still do from Tom

 

[l_l_l]

 

Ok! I'm now thinking I won't keep Celestial Pearl Danios as they are cold water fish..
I'm clueless.

 
You certainly are!!!
 
CPDs are not coldwater fish. There are a number of small danio species which have been relatively recently reclassified from Rasbora - CPDs are one of those. They are perfectly happy in calm tropical waters.

Definitely go for the rummy noses they are the only tetras that I have had that have ever constantly schooled also if you wanted a low schooling fish have you considered five banded barbs. The barbs look like tiger barbs but without nipping and are smaller too. I have a group of 10 and they constants follow each other around the tank and there is nothing in there to threaten them from Tom

 
Fish generally feel threatened when they see a big human face staring in at them

 

Damn, the info about them is so mixed... I really think they are nice because they only grow to about an inch, that would fit perfectly in my tank for what I want to do.
Now I have too much choice and shall wait until I have cycled my tank
 
I'm thinking that 46g is not enough anymore

 

[Seal36]

Now that I have said that the five banded barbs stay together a female has gone of and started her own group. At first it was just her then her female friend joined her now she has 50% of the total number of five banded barbs from Tom

 

[l_l_l]

And the next thing you know, all of the Barbs will be back but with a new leader
Fish are fun!

 

[Seal36]

Yes most likely as she is the biggest of all the barbs

 

[l_l_l]

Found a good deal on Kijiji last night, 75$ for 40 pounds of eco complete, a one month old aquaclear 70, a one month old 125W EHEIM JAGER.
Once my aquarium stand is completed, I will start cycling!

 

[Ch4rlie]

whoo, things are motoring now! 
 
Not a bad deal for you there.
 
Just saw your other post about your DIY tank stand.