Stocking Ideas + Filter Question

[donny7]

First off I'd like to say I hope I'm not annoying anybody with my frequent posts! I am absolutely captivated by this hobby, it is absurd... never enjoyed something so much before I'm trying to soak up as much knowledge as possible to ensure my tanks run relatively smoothly.

Now, first question. I'm looking to restock a 20 gallon tank. It's been running for about 2 months and it's housed a variety of fish with an exceptionally low mortality rate. I've had 2 silver mollies die but this was due to bullying from other fish. I currently have 3 jack dempseys and 2 goldfish in there, all of which are being donated to the LFS. (or if anybody wants to pick them up, I live in arizona My initial question is, can I go ahead and introduce the entire stock of fish? I had, at one point, a great deal of fish in here. I had 4 silver mollies, 3 swordtails, 5 serpae tetras, a dojo loach, and 6 black skirt tetras. They all thrived well, however I donated quite a few of them off and relocated the tetras and loach to my 30 gallon tank.

So yeah, can I house my entire stock at once, or should I spread it out gradually? I'm thinking of stocking it with...

1 Angelfish
x2 Honey Gourami
x8 Neon Tetras
x4 Pygmy Cories

I may be overstocked, but all in all, I'm open to suggestions. I'd love an angelfish as my center attraction, a pair of gouramis, a nice, big colorful school of tetras and some fish that can scavenge the bottom.


Also, onto my filter question. I have two Top Fin 10 gallon filters on my 20 gallon. Is this sufficient filtration? My other question pertains to the inserts, they're turning black and getting quite heavy, I believe they're charcoal inserts, or carbon, can't remember. How often should I replace those? I'm looking to take one off soon and hopefully attach a 20 gallon power filter along with the other 10 gallon to keep some bacteria, or just seed from my other tank, not sure.


SORRY I RAMBLE

 

[interpet123]

Hey i am exactly the same with my 20 gallon, i want one big main attraction fish (prob Discus), a few dwarf goramis, a small school of cardinals or rummy nose, and 2 yoyo loaches on the bottom to scavange!!! You have good taste!! lol

 

[donny7]

Eh, now that I think of it, I'm really attached to my Jack Dempsey, better known as Big Jack. Can I keep him in a tank this small with any other cichlids, or would he have to be the lone fish? On one hand I will feel bad cramping him up, on the other, he has loads of personality and is just a really, really cool fish. I want to plant the tank but I'm unsure if this type of cichlid will uproot the plants..

http/img707.imageshack.us/img707/5162/1011882.jpg

 

[Essjay23 138]

Donny - your tank is too small for an angelfish. The rest of your list would be enough for 20 gallons. And a Jack Dempsey needs at least 45 galls as they grow to 9 inches.

Interpet - 20 gallons is far too small for a discus or yoyo loaches
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/357538-yoyo-loach/
And if you do get dwarf gouramis, don't have more than one male in that size tank.

 

[interpet123]

i would transfer discus, as it gets bigger

 

[Essjay23 138]

That's not a good idea, it could well become stunted before you moved it to a bigger tank. Small discus also need to be in a group.

You do realise that discus also need warmer water than most other fish can take? And they need more water changes than usual - at least 20% every other day is recommended.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/307721-discus-fish/