Stocking Advice

[BlueSwordtail]

Hey guys xD
I'm a newbie to this site anyway, I'm getting a bigger tank (400 litres, planted with external filter)and going to move all of my old fish (5 glass catfish, 3 cory catfish, 1 swordtail, 2 platies,4 fancy guppies)to this new tank. I'm thinking of adding more fish to this tank so please tell me your suggestions thanks guys. Oh, also I'm just going to set it up as a low-tech planted tank, advice on substrate/fertilisers..etc please? =] I look forward to your replies.

 

[OldMan47]

If you want great plant growth while following a low tech approach, try using a substrate of potting soil or garden soil covered with about 1 cm of coarse sand/fine gravel. Plant your plants right into that substrate, ignoring the rocky cover that is there to limit the muddy waters. I find that nice bright lighting over such a tank and generous fish feeding produces plant responses like this one.

Be sure to cycle that new tank before you place any fish into it. We have a thread here on TFF that will guide you but you have a distinct advantage over many people. You have a mature filter that can be used to jump start the new filter. Try the fishless cycle thread that you can reach from my signature link but start by using that new tank, with its filter running, as a cleaning bucket for your present filter. When I do that I often find a new filter is ready for fish in a week or less although I don't often make a huge tank size change so it may take you 10 or more days to get done with a fishless cycle.

 

[random919]

i would suggest any type of tetras(my favorite are Rummy Nose Tetras) but i wouldn't get any barbs as they tend to nip at the guppies tails.
As for substrate i would get sand or fine gravel as it is good for fry and also looks nice. it is good for the cories as it doesn't damage their barbals. Its quite easy to look after as well!!
Use lots of tall plants at the back and get smaller as you get to the front. I like to use mangrove wood or rocks as it gives a rustic feel or colour to the tank.