Stock Help

[KrystaK]

So it's been a long while since I posted, or even visited this place. I took down my tank for reasons...
 
But I'm back now and ready to set my 30 gal back up! Actually it's been cycling for almost three weeks now and everything is looking fantastic. As I said before, it's a 30 gal tank, (36l x 14h x 12w).
I have it set up with Fluval plant substrate and some black sand. It has live plants; mostly Val's and Anubias so far, though my Crypts are starting to propagate. I'm having trouble with my Rotala for some reason. I was under the impression that it's one of the easier plants to grow.
 
 
As I said I want to re-establish my tank. I refused to think of stock until my cycle was well under way. Now that it's getting to be time I'm beginning to get excited
So what could I put in here? My pH is 8.0 from the tap, which as I recall is on the high side of acceptable for most tropical fish - unless I want cichlids. But I don't think my tank is big enough for most cichlids. 
 
I was hoping to have a school of corries. But other than that I'm completely open. I sort of want the "Centre piece fish plus some other little (possibly schooling) accent fish."
 
As I recall I had a Pearl Gourami at one point. But she got aggressive for some reason and I got annoyed that I never saw my other fish because they hid from her. Pearl Gourami are considered semi aggressive at most right? I think I'd like totally peaceful/docile fish if that's possible. I'm fine with live bearers and I'd like colourful fish  
 
 

 

[BiggTexx]

If you were willing/able to work with your pH levels, you might enjoy a pair of Mikrogeophagus ramirezi (Ram Cichlids) as they are very attractive and very peaceful by cichlid standards.
 
Just as an idea:

• 2 German Blue Rams
• 8 Black Phantom Tetras
• 8 Cardinal Tetras
• 4 Dwarf Corys

 

[Byron]

The pH may be on the high side for some fish, but the GH is actually more important.  You can probably ascertain this from your municipal water supply people on their website.  It will be easier to suggest fish when we know the GH.  If your water is soft for instance, livebearers in general would not fare well.
 
Pearl Gourami tend to be more docile/peaceful than some of the gourami, but as with cichlids, individual fish do not always follow the norm.  A pair might do better (meaning a male/female pair, as two males could be a disaster as they are territorial).  Peaceful shoaling fish like many of the medium-sized rasbora or some of the tetra would work with the Pearls, and a group of cories.
 
Byron.

 

[Munroco]

If the measurements aren't a typo, I don't think your tank is 30 gals it would be more like 16 gals

 

[squidneh]

The measurements are in inches 

I have a 30 gallon as well

 

[Lillefishy]

Using the calculator here it's 22 imperial gallons or 26 Us gallons

 

[Ch4rlie]

Some species of Rainbowfish do quite well in a broad range of water,  including ph of 5.0 - 8.0.
 
A decent sized group of Threadfin Rainbowfish or even Forktail Blue-eye as a couple of example would suit that tank size pretty well.
 
http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/iriatherina-werneri/
 
http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/pseudomugil-furcatus/
 
Both these species will be fine with cories in the tank.
 
Would not suggest larger rainbowfish like Boesmani Rainbows as your tank is a little small for these guys.

 

[KrystaK]

@ BiggTess: Aren't GBR's South American Cichlids? I thought SA Cichlids preferred more acidic water i.e: pH 6 or so. I'm sure a pair of GBR would still do fine in my tank if they were acclimated properly though And they are a really stunning species.
 
@ Byron: I think I have a pretty good understanding of my water chemistry I actually worked in the inorganic lab at a waste water monitoring facility. I have fairly hard water (In the range of 210-220 ppm.) I live on a well and the water softener in the basement isn't as efficient as I'd like it to be. I tried changing the pH of my water for a while (Which involved bog wood, peat moss, a water softener pillow for the filter and even buying water from a water store.) In the end I decided it just wasn't worth the hassle and I live with my silly country water. 
 
Also, thanks for the suggestion on the PG. I'm iffy on getting a male PG because I like the ratio of male to female to be 1:2 unless the fish species pair off. I feel a male would bully a single female too much. (Not saying that would happen, I just have this sinking feeling that it would.) And I think a trio of PG would be pushing it in my possibly not 30 gal tank lol
 
@ Munroco: Are you measuring in inches, cause my measurements are in inches (note to self, specify units of measurement next time.) 
@Lillefishy: It's actually an eye-balled measurement. I know the tank is 36 inches long, and it looks just a bit taller than it is wide. Thanks for calculating. I should probably actually measure the tank before I go around saying what it's measurements are.
 
@Ch4alie: If I could find fish that unique looking I would definitely consider them But I think I'm stuck with the more generic species. (There's a fish auction coming up hosted by the local aquarium society and they usually have some pretty interesting fish so I'll keep my eyes open for them.) 
 
 
After thinking for a while I was wondering if perhaps a single Dwarf Gourami would make a decent small centre piece fish. I know they tend to be inbred and overdone in the trade but I can't deny that they're pretty. And from what little I've read they're easy to care for. Alternately I was thinking perhaps a trio (1m:2f) of Honey Gourami (How would I go about sexing them? I guess I could head over to google and find out )
 
So a rough stock list would maybe be:
1 male Dwarf Gourami   OR 3 Honey Gourami
6 or more Schooling fish of some sort - Possibly Neon Tetra or some sort of Rosbara (I've never kept any Rosbara's before.)
6 Panda Corys
 
I recall that I used to like Cherry barbs, would they be an okay schooling fish for a 30 gal? I thought they'd be okay but I'd like to confirm  
Would a few (3 or so) Platy's be okay to add to this set up? All one gender of course, because I know from experience they can overpopulate  more quickly than rabbits in a garden. 

 

[Byron]

A caution on water softeners.  Many use salt, and this is bad for the fish, worse actually than the harder water (depending upon species of course).
 
I would forget dwarf gourami, unless you can obtain them direct from a breeder.  The risk of serious viral disease (which cannot be cured, and will spread) is still with us.
 
Byron.

 

[KrystaK]

Yeah the water softener does use salt, it never occurred to me that it would harm the fish! Unfortunately my water goes yellow without the softener so it's sort of a necessity even if it doesn't work as well as it could. 
 
I knew DG's weren't the healthiest fish, but are they really that bad? :O Good thing I didn't have my heart set

 

[Byron]

Yeah the water softener does use salt, it never occurred to me that it would harm the fish! Unfortunately my water goes yellow without the softener so it's sort of a necessity even if it doesn't work as well as it could. 
 
I knew DG's weren't the healthiest fish, but are they really that bad?

Good thing I didn't have my heart set

 
Yes, the source makes the difference.  And locally I have had terrible disease issues from farm-raised fish (several of the "bread-and-butter" ones) in the chain stores, such that I just don't even go through their doors any longer.  I use locally-owned stores and I know their sources.
 
I would check into your water supply, and softeners.  If you intend hard water fish, the salt is not so bad.  But not soft water species (like your gourami).
 
Byron.