Stocking Help Please - 20g

[Tropical_Fish]

I've got a 20 gallon fully cycled tank, with high filtration (it's a 1000L/hour External Filter)

I currently have 5 male guppies in the tank. I would like to get some more fish but everything I think of have has a reason not to!

I would like something for the bottom of the tank, but I have been told my smooth gravel isn't suitable for panda corys, or similar.

I would also like some slightly different fish for the mid top section as it looks so empty at the moment with my 5 little males!

I was thinking maybe 3 mickey mouse platies - would they be ok with my guppies?

Any suggestions for the bottom would be great though.

 

[arobinson1984]

Platies would be absolutely fine with the guppies but as with the guppies, I would suggest all same sex platies.

If your gravel is smooth it should be better for corys, less chance of them damaging their barbels. Sterbai corys are stunning.

Andy

 

[Tropical_Fish]

This is a picture of my tank - a few people have seen it an commented on how the gravel wouldn't be suitable - what do you think?

 

[Tropical_Fish]

This is a picture of my tank - a few people have seen it an commented on how the gravel wouldn't be suitable - what do you think?

Any ideas anyone?

 

[ALW]

Too much gravel IMO

 

[Tropical_Fish]

How much gravel should there be?

It looks deeper than it is on that photo due to it moving about when I tipped the water in.

What's the probelm with having too much?


Thanks for the advice!

 

[arobinson1984]

It does seem that you have a lot of gravel which will also be slightly lowering the amount of water you fit in the tank.

Is changing to sand not an option?

Andy

 

[Harlequins]

Nice tank ,the more gravel you got the less room for fishes swimming area

I'm still learning about stocking myself so i can't really help you there,although i've just upgraded from a 20 gal like yours,i had platies in there,they move all over the place has do the harlequins!

 

[Tropical_Fish]

what depth of gravel should I be aiming for?

I don't like sand - not keen on the looks and don't like the thought of it in the filter

 

[arobinson1984]

I have just 1" of gravel, although changing to sand soon as I have 8 corys and a BN plec which will all prefer sand

Andy

 

[Rediahs]

I'd say 1 inch max on the height of gravel...

Part of it is just that it looks terribly ugly when you've got a real high gravel line. The other thing is, like they said, the more gravel the less space for fishies.

I have perhaps half an inch of sand, just enough to keep the glass covered all over... I really think that looks best and is plenty for my corys...

If your gravel is fine and smooth then it'd be fine for corys. I even have some rough-ish rocks in there (nothing sharp) and the corys dont mind.

 

[Tropical_Fish]

The gravel is smooth but I'm not sure it is 'fine' it's more a medium size.

If I even it all out it's just over an inch deep, it was just when I tipped the water in before that photo that it disturbed it and made it thicker in some parts - the bit at the back behind the bog wood is very thin at the moment