pirategrl
Fish Fanatic
I'm in Mount Vernon. I just found a store in Conway that I really like, I wish I was closer to Portland! There really aren't many good stores up here that aren't chains.
Atsy said:Just wondering, why do you not have your tank filled to the top, and keep it there? I've seen many other people do that, so I was just wondering, I like keeping mine filled past the black line.
So if you want to do shoaling fish (i.e. tetras) as you said, then you don't want swordtails as those are livebearers (higher pH) and your tetras are lower pH, so while many people do mix them, it is not the best, and if some babies can hide under that tree to the left or in the plants as they go you could get many unwanted babies. Here's what I recommend:
*2 bristlenose pleco
*16 cardinal tetras
*4 german blue rams
*inverts are great (mts are good but may overpopulate, however a few assassin snails will solve that problem if you ever have it). also cherry shrimp are good but you may want to add them first to give them a chance to grow and populate the tank, so if other fish eat them (which is a change), your fish will still be safe.
*1 dwarf gourami
That is what I would do. The amount of fish you can keep vary's based on how quickly you introduce them, your filter, live plants, and your speed of water changes.
Great looking tank, and I'm glad your cycling, your off to a great start!
It is not filled up because we are still cycling and will do a big water change when it finally cycles. I figured a few inches down wasn't a big deal. I plan on keeping it filled when there are some occupants.![]()
Thanks for the list! I hadn't thought of cardinal tetras, nice. Nice that bristlenose stay small. I don't want a 3' pleco!! The more ideas the better!
Is it ok to add cherry shrimp when the substrate isn't mature yet or there isn't a lot of detritus and algae to munch on???
Geeze! You are way up there! I met a guy on the forums that said the Greater Seattle Aquarium Society is starting a Fish Store Co-Op in Edmunds, supposed to open in 2 weeks I think. Also several people have told me that the Wet Spot does really good mail order fish, $14 UPS ground for WA. I think I'll try them out for my stocking since I don't want to have to drive to Portland every time.pirategrl said:I'm in Mount Vernon. I just found a store in Conway that I really like, I wish I was closer to Portland! There really aren't many good stores up here that aren't chains.
I really like the tetras, I can't choose what to get though! I keep discovering a new fav!This Old Spouse said:I'd advise holding off on the shrimp as well, who will fare much better with a more established tank.
I have a variety of tetras in my 55 gallon, and they're all fun to watch. There are so many varieties!
Anxious to see what you finally decide ... be sure to post photos when you get it all set up with fish!
I've been using Aqadvisor to help with that, I found that Peppered and Panda Cories work with my tank plan so far. It will a pretty warm tank, probably 75 - 80 degrees F. Ph has been steady at 7.4-7.6 (hard to tell on the test kit).Lilfishy said:All of the stocking suggestions sound good, plenty for you to pick from however I would not advise getting Otos until your tank is more mature, as otos can be very fragile especially in new set ups.
As for cories, it depends what other fish you decide to have as some like cooler temps & some do best in higher temps, but there are lts of varieties to choose from
Ha ha, probably! She was only up there for about a minute then I took the chair away for obvious reasons! She might have some Russian but she is probably just "mutt". There was another one under the chair too, she got pushed off the chair by the one looking in the tank.TallTree01 said:I think the giant cat might be freaking out your gouramis.
What breed is it? Russian blue?