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:flex: I would not get any cories with your sand as that is not a good surface for them to root around in. Sand is also hard to vacuum and keep clean. I'm not a fan of it. I think tetras are a must-have in a community tank, so definitely get some of those. Maybe one slim bodied type like...

:flex: I have exactly what you do... 15 gallon with AquaClear 200 filter. This setup works great. Excellent filtration, and current is not really excessive. As far as inches of fish, I wouldn't put in more than 24-28 inches of fish, and that's just if they're smaller fish like my tetras...

:flex: ♂ Thank you for the replies. The info is helpful.

:flex: ♂ Are there any bunched plants that will do OK with low lighting? I have a 15 gal with a basic hood and 15 watt lamp... so just 1 watt per gallon. Also, a fellow at lfs told me that it would be best to get a glass canopy type hood, and add another 15 watt flourescent lamp assembly in...

:flex: ♂ Bad idea...

:flex: ♂ Important to know if this tank is going to be heated or not....

:flex: ♂ Forget the sharks and plecos as they get too big. I would also rule out the mollies because, among other things, they are best kept with quite a bit of aquarium salt in the water, which is not compatible with the others. Mollies are a bit more demanding than other livebearers...

:flex: ♂ In a previous post there was some discussion of the electrical cost of running a tank or tanks. Just for fun, and having an electrical background, I decided to calculate what I'm paying for running my 15 gallon, per month. I won't bore you with all the electrical calculations, but...

:flex: ♂ In a normal tropical tank the main electrical draw (in watts) is from the heater. A filter, air pump, and/or the lamp in the hood don't consume enough power to worry about. And even the heater, unless it's in a cold room and really on alot, won't add up to that much money on...

:flex: ♂ Tall tanks like yours look pretty cool, but are not really practical for keeping a decent number of fish, and active fish (I consider neons pretty active) won't be happy due to the lack of horizontal swimming space.

:flex: ♂ How about a Boesenami (hope I spelled that right) Rainbow?

:flex: ♂ Good spelling of Syracuse.

:flex: ♂ A no-brainer... if you can afford it and are willing to put the effort into maintaining it, go for the bigger tank. As far as cost, don't forget the added accessories, fish, and other stuff you'll need with bigger tank.

:flex: ♂ A horrible sight in a Wal Mart fish section??!! Wow, that's really hard to believe. Aren't they well-known for healthy and well-kept fish sections? :no:

:flex: ♂ I assume you're talking about freshwater lobsters (actually crayfish, but I guess that doesn't sound as cool so people call 'em lobsters). I think they'll get 5-6 inches long, and a 20 gal is big enough, but I hope you don't plan on keeping any small fish in there too. These...

:flex: ♂ I like to overstock a bit also, and indeed you can get away with it more with tetras due to their small size and less waste produced. But of course you have to have good filtration (my Aqua Clear filter is slightly oversized for a 15 gal tank) and you have to be diligent about...

:flex: ♂ I agree with the other poster... go with a bigger tank. 2-5 gal is ridiculous for freshwater tropical fish like barbs. Get at least 10 gal, hopefully more. You will probably soon get bored with a small tank of only tiger barbs. Get the biggest tank you can afford, have room...

:flex: ♂ Looks like I'm going to be in the minority here, but some expert aquarists much smarter than me have said a little salt is healthy for freshwater, so I always add a little bit at partial water changes. I have a very healthy tank which does include quite a few different tetras, as...

:flex: ♂ Though you did pay too much, an AquaClear 200 is a great filter for a 20 gal. I've had AquaClear and Penguin Bio-Wheel, and like the AquaClear better. You can customize the filter media; You always want to keep the sponge in the filter basket, but then on top of it you can add 2...

:flex: ♂ Good Deal. A 20 gallon is a nice size... not too big or too small. Enough that you can have some fun decorating it and have quite a few fish. Have fun. As far as cory cats are concerned, a long tank is always better than a high, so you have more bottom space for them to cruise...

:flex: ♂ Brown algae does not necessarily go away easily, or in a few weeks. It can gradually get worse if your tap water is high in phosphates or silicates. If you find it is getting worse, and if you have a filter that will allow it, put in a phosphate remover like PhosX or PhosGuard...

:flex: ♂ Don't blame Mr. Turtle for getting mad. He just wanted a peaceful little swim. Generally platies are pretty easy-going. Don't know why yours got frisky all of a sudden, especially since the turtle had been in there before. The main problem I have with my platy is that he's a...

:flex: ♂ Yeah, that's a nice big tank. Have fun with it. Don't know what I'm getting for Father's Day, but I don't think it will be anything like that. Enjoy!

:flex: ♂ Never heard of floss causing cloudiness, especially if it is washed before putting into filter. With the hardy fish you have, I don't think they are going to be harmed in any way. Don't know what other media you have in your filter, but my guess is that the cloudiness will go...

:kana: ♂ How come the "location" line is missing from all the posts now? I always did find it odd how many people did not include their location in their profile, and how many other people had silly things on that line trying to hide where they're from. What's the big deal about letting...

:kana: ♂ To me, you've missed out some of the most popular ones, so poll is not too useful.

:flex: ♂ Yes, tetras can be very fast. Most smaller fish seem to be fast, especially if they have to be (like being chased around with a net). I have found whenever I need to catch a tetra, I have to take out virtually all plants and decorations, and sometimes even lower the water level to...

:flex: ♂ I would say the red/orange ones with black tails and fins would be sunset wag or sunburst wag platies (the term wag I think always refers to the black fins). Do you yellow ones have any other markings, like a black mickey mouse design or maybe some black trim on the fin edges ...

:flex: ♂ I use the last two you mention, and believe those are a good combination. I alternate them every other feeding.

:flex: ♂ Trust me on this... don't go by how hungry your fish act. Fish are little pigs, and will happily eat 2-3 times a day, maybe more. They act crazy because that is the most excitement they have all day. Overfeeding is not good for the fish, tank, or water quality. I say feed...

:flex: ♂ When it comes to brown algae, the too much or too little light theory is usually bogus. Here are 3 things to consider... 1. Phosphates/silicates in your tap water, or silicates from another source like an airstone. Those bonded sand style airstones break down, and add...

:flex: ♂ A spot on the main floor should be able to support 700 lbs. As far as your fish I would only put them in the new tank right away if they are hardy enough to withstand the cycling. Don't know much about the fish you mentioned. This new tank must cycle... you know... ammonia and...

:flex: ♂ Easy. When the surface of the water is agitated, some oxygen is "exchanged" from the air above water surface, and some oxygen is introduced into water. You don't need (or want) tremendous surface movement do do this. How do you know if you have enough? Hard to say. But a filter...

:flex: ♂ Wow! lucky you. The only thing my neighbors ever give me is trouble. I would love to have that tank and stand. In any case, I would think your floor would be able to withstand the weight of that tank and stand. We're looking at about 700 lbs I believe. It would help to the...

:flex: ♂ I wouldn't go overboard on the platys. Besides the fact they're livebearers and you might get babies every month or so, platys are fairly fat-bodied, and produce alot of waste. I know because I've had them. Only have one now. I would have maybe 2 nice-colored platys in that...

:flex: ♂ Don't worry so much about algae eaters right now, but definitely get about 3 cory cats as scavengers for a tank that size.

:flex: ♂ Though I like helping people and giving advice, I get a bit more tired of the constant questions of "am I overstocked" , "what's your favorite fish", and "what fish or fishes should I get?"

:flex: ♂ My opion ????

:flex: ♂ Tetras.... gotta have 'em !

:flex: ♂ Hi Becca... I'm on the other side of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin, lived in Grand Rapids for awhile. I am positive there are at least one or two generic aquarium hobbyist societies there in Michigan, and not just specific to cichlids. If you can get a copy of Tropical Fish Hobbyist...