20 gallon long stocking

[FreshwaterFins99]

Would this work?

 

[Slaphppy7]

Would this work?

Yes, after the tank is properly cycled, I don't see any issues...

 

[Byron]

Would this work?

Problem here is that you have a species (Paracheirodon simulans) requiring very soft water, and this being wild caught will not do well in hard water. "Harder" water was mentioned in one post, but going back through this thread I cannot see that we ever pinned down the actual GH. Until that is confirmed, and assuming it is on the hard side, I would not consider this species.

Edit, corrected "soft" to read "hard."

 

[FreshwaterFins99]

Problem here is that you have a species (Paracheirodon simulans) requiring very soft water, and this being wild caught will not do well in hard water. "Harder" water was mentioned in one post, but going back through this thread I cannot see that we ever pinned down the actual GH. Until that is confirmed, and assuming it is on the soft side, I would not consider this species.

Would regular neons be better? And this isnt too much for the tank? Also, I plan on using some driftwood and almond leaves if necessary to lower the Ph as well.

 

[Slaphppy7]

Problem here is that you have a species (Paracheirodon simulans) requiring very soft water, and this being wild caught will not do well in hard water. "Harder" water was mentioned in one post, but going back through this thread I cannot see that we ever pinned down the actual GH. Until that is confirmed, and assuming it is on the soft side, I would not consider this species.

How do we know they will be WC specimens?...

 

[Byron]

Would regular neons be better? And this isnt too much for the tank? Also, I plan on using some driftwood and almond leaves if necessary to lower the Ph as well.

You really must pin down the GH. All this guessing is not getting us anywhere. If the GH and KH are high, the pH is not going to lower without reducing the GH and KH. Wood is not especially effective anyway; leaves have more impact. But you need to know the GH you are working with.

 

[Byron]

How do we know they will be WC specimens?...

There are species that are not being commercially raised, and this is one of them...at least so far as I know. However, they may be raising them in outdoor ponds in SE Asia, many of the SA fish are these days. But that is still very soft and acidic water. And this is a particularly sensitive species, I have maintained it for many years in my zero GH/KH and pH of 4-5 water.

 

[FreshwaterFins99]

You really must pin down the GH. All this guessing is not getting us anywhere. If the GH and KH are high, the pH is not going to lower without reducing the GH and KH. Wood is not especially effective anyway; leaves have more impact. But you need to know the GH you are working with.
You’re right. We are going in circles right now. I will keep this stock bookmarked and try to order a test kit today. Then we can see for sure.

 

[Byron]

You really must pin down the GH. All this guessing is not getting us anywhere. If the GH and KH are high, the pH is not going to lower without reducing the GH and KH. Wood is not especially effective anyway; leaves have more impact. But you need to know the GH you are working with.
You’re right. We are going in circles right now. I will keep this stock bookmarked and try to order a test kit today. Then we can see for sure.

With five pages of posts I can't remember, but if you are on city water they may have this data online.

 

[FreshwaterFins99]

With five pages of posts I can't remember, but if you are on city water they may have this data online.

Sorry for all the posts. Ive just been really indecisive with this but really care about it and want it to go well. Unfortunately I cant find the data online on any of the town water websites.

 

[Byron]

Sorry for all the posts. Ive just been really indecisive with this but really care about it and want it to go well. Unfortunately I cant find the data online on any of the town water websites.

No problem, it is good you are so thorough. I just can't remember that far back in this thread or that thread.

 

[FreshwaterFins99]

No problem, it is good you are so thorough. I just can't remember that far back in this thread or that thread.

Ordered the kit. While Im waiting, is a single firemouth cichlid too big for a 20 long?

 

[Byron]

Ordered the kit. While Im waiting, is a single firemouth cichlid too big for a 20 long?

I would say yes; at 5-6 inches for males and 4-5 inches for females, this is not a small fish (Fishbase reports it can attain 6.6 inches/17cm). A 3-foot length tank is minimum for one or a pair.

 

[FreshwaterFins99]

I would say yes; at 5-6 inches for males and 4-5 inches for females, this is not a small fish (Fishbase reports it can attain 6.6 inches/17cm). A 3-foot length tank is minimum for one or a pair.

I didnt realize they got that big!! Ill stick with my other stocking plan