What More Do I Need For A Successful Tank?

[eaglesaquarium]

You really need to increase the CORY numbers.  They need to be in groups of 6 or more.  You won't really see them acting naturally in smaller groups...

 

[epic154]

i think you should get rid of one dwarf gourami they will bully one to death and increase you cory numbers to 6 min do you have any idea what sort of cory

 

[chokko]

my experience: platys will steal all the food before cories get to it...they'll selfishly eat the food on the ground first, before eating food higher up (that they know the corys wont/cant eat).
I only bought 2 females (1 red wag, and 1 blue mickey mouse) and they bred non-stop. Giving away all my platys was the best thing i've done..short of fishless cycling
 
If you were only getting one small cory type, i'd go for hasbrosus or panda..they're still the chunky round-snouted fish that we all love.
The pygmies and hastatuses are a bit more prissy/delicate looking. These two hang out mid-water a fair bit though..so depends what look u want.
 
Unrelated sidenote: After putting my Hastatus in, I found that some of the Pygmies "seem" to have developed a darker pattern near their tail fin, like they are trying to mimmick the Hastatus' pattern.
 
Another option (as you're a cory lover): get 6x hasbrosus/panda as bottom dwellers, and ditch the neon tetras so u can also get 6x hastatus.

 

[CoryLover95]

You really need to increase the CORY numbers.  They need to be in groups of 6 or more.  You won't really see them acting naturally in smaller groups...

OK...
 

i think you should get rid of one dwarf gourami they will bully one to death and increase you cory numbers to 6 min do you have any idea what sort of cory

I might do that, thanks.  And about the Corys, I think I'll get a panda or hasbrosus, suggested by chokko.
 

my experience: platys will steal all the food before cories get to it...they'll selfishly eat the food on the ground first, before eating food higher up (that they know the corys wont/cant eat).
I only bought 2 females (1 red wag, and 1 blue mickey mouse) and they bred non-stop. Giving away all my platys was the best thing i've done..short of fishless cycling

 
If you were only getting one small cory type, i'd go for hasbrosus or panda..they're still the chunky round-snouted fish that we all love.
The pygmies and hastatuses are a bit more prissy/delicate looking. These two hang out mid-water a fair bit though..so depends what look u want.
 
Unrelated sidenote: After putting my Hastatus in, I found that some of the Pygmies "seem" to have developed a darker pattern near their tail fin, like they are trying to mimmick the Hastatus' pattern.
 
Another option (as you're a cory lover): get 6x hasbrosus/panda as bottom dwellers, and ditch the neon tetras so u can also get 6x hastatus.

About how big do hasbrosus/pandas get?  I'm looking for under 4" if possible...

 

[eaglesaquarium]

About how big do hasbrosus/pandas get?  I'm looking for under 4" if possible...

C. habrosus (Salt and Pepper cory) which grow to about <1.5" or C. panda which usually grow to no more than 1.75 inches.

 

[CoryLover95]

About how big do hasbrosus/pandas get?  I'm looking for under 4" if possible...

C. habrosus (Salt and Pepper cory) which grow to about <1.5" or C. panda which usually grow to no more than 1.75 inches.

Oh, great!  Perfect.

 

[CoryLover95]

I'll post pictures tomorrow and then again when I get the fish!! 

 

 

[CoryLover95]

Here is the tank as of this afternoon...
temp 80 degrees
ammonia 0 ppm
nitrite 0 ppm
nitrate .7 ppm
View attachment 68699

 

[Scates11]

On the topic of the filter I would recommend starting with the AC 70 for that size tank, it is what I run on my 36 gallon and it works perfect. 
 
I have never had an issue with HOB filters if you buy the right one, i have heard of some AC filters lasting 20+ years.

 

[Mikey1]

On the topic of the filter I would recommend starting with the AC 70 for that size tank, it is what I run on my 36 gallon and it works perfect. 
 
I have never had an issue with HOB filters if you buy the right one, i have heard of some AC filters lasting 20+ years.

 
excellent advice....
 
and you are right, i have had some of my aquaclears for 15+ years, they last forever if your careful with them and dont crack the housing, the motors will run forever

 

[CoryLover95]

I already have a Top Fin 40...however it makes a little too much noise for me (the tank's in my bedroom) so I might be upgrading to a higher quality filter sometime soon...