Stocking ideas for a 230litre

[houndour]

Hi,

I'm back to the hobby after a 10 year break.

Tested the tap water. pH 7.5, GH 20, KH 17

My most successful fish last time were Botia Striata (zebra loach). They lived for about 8 years until I rehomed them due to a house move. But it seems my water is too hard for them?

I'm struggling to find suitable fish. I don't want guppy etc and lots of fry!

So far my list contains:
Pearl Gorurami
Honey gourami
Spotted cory
Rummynose tetra
Xray tetra
Zebra Danio (although it seems these prefer cooler water)

Any ideas of numbers and combinations? Or other fish to look at?

230 litre tank. Dimensions 116 x 38 x 60cm
The substrate will be sand and im trying for a low tech planted tank this time.

 

[ClownLurch]

Hi, welcome.
Research your potential fish on seriouslyfish.com as it’s probably the best guide for non experts as to PH, GH, temp, tank size, tank mates, tank environment, food, plants etc.

My waters similar to yours and any new tank will be for shell dwellers. No plants reqd!
Have fun.

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

Apple/Mystery Snails and Rabbit snails.

 

[ClownLurch]

Water hardness compatibility has emerged in the industry since I was last in the hobby as a major science backed issue for a fishes long term health. The olde “they were born in this water they’re used to it” doesn’t wash much any more. Corys etc aren’t extreme hard water suitable fish unfortunately.
African rift lake fish, rainbowfish, yer High Street Livebearers, shell dwellers, rice fish etc are
In a tank that size I’d be going for beauty, bang for my buck and barrelling around and speed with Long Fin Zebras, Long Fin Leopards, Long Fin White Cloud Mountain Minnows and Long Fin Cherry Barbs, Amano Shrimp, Red Cherry Shrimp and a few suitable fancy snails.
No heater required which is nice.

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

few suitable fancy snails

Yes!!! Apple/Mystery and Rabbit!

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

@houndour Quite close to Surrey, in Sussex, there is an aquatic shop with an amazing selection of nerite snails. And a massive variety of shrimps. It's called Forest Aquatics:

Forest Aquatics

UK Online Retailer For Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina) and Taiwan Bee Shrimp (Caridina), Nerite Snails, Tropica Plants and shrimp food. Based in Forest Row, East Sussex. We are a breeder & importer of ornamental shrimp for the aquarium hobby. We have a huge selection of shrimp and secure shipping...

forestaquatics.co.uk

In Kent, in Tonbridge Wells, there is another aquatic shop with a very interesting selection of snails as well as fish and other invertebrates:

Buy tropical fish online | Tropical Aquarium Fish for sale | UK Delivery - The Trop Company

Guaranteed Delivery to your door of all types of freshwater tropical aquarium fish such as Tetras, Barbs, Rift Lake Cichlids, Angelfish, Shrimps, & other tropical aquarium fish Tropical fish delivered to your door with a 7 day guarantee!

www.tropco.co.uk

 

[betta4ever!]

Make a betta sorority!! With some IALS, and tons of plants, you'll be perfect.

 

[Byron]

Just so we are all on the same paghe, the GH of 20, is this 20 dH? I assume from what has been said that it is, but just clarify it is not 20 ppm which would be a very different thing.

Some of the fish suggested in post #1 may survive but not thrive if the GH is 20 dH. Some other moderately-hard water fish to consider are some of the rainbowfishes, some need soft water but not all. There are some tetras that have wider ranges with respect to GH, this is usually because of the species' huge geographical range. Barbs and danios from the cyprinids might be considered.