22L Nano Tank - First Ever Tank

[chopperheys]

Hi everyone. Some of you may of seen my other thread about buying a 125l and stocking issues, that's still going to happen but this tank has another purpose. It's my lads first birthday on new years eve and since he's just been spoilt rotten at Christmas we was stuck for what to get him. Then we got to thinking about how excited he got every time he saw fish in pet shops, sea life centre and aquariums. As pets at home had a sale on some tanks we decided to buy him a Aquanano 30, not the usual choice for a baby's first birthday present but it's something he can grow up with. This is also an excuse to have a practise tank and get all the necessary little bits and bobs together. It also benefits the step daughter (who's 9) as she gets to help pick the fish and she also got to chose an ornament, she chose the gravel and the current layout. Anyway that's enough of the who's and whys, so now we can talk tank, starting with a pic as it currently stands.



So as stated above its a Aqua One Aquanano 30 (22l). All the equipment is the standard kit what it came with. We bought a new aquarium start up kit by interpret, this was recommended to us. It has 2 products in it called fresh start and filter start, it also has 2 test kits in it for ph and nitrite. We've ordered a api master test kit, but can get it tested for free in the mean time while we wait for delivery. The plant in it is Amazon sword. The fish that will be going in is a male betta. All comments are welcome, positive and negative as we want to get this right. Also we was told that we could fit another species in with that tank so could you give me some recommendations please? The second fish will be for the step daughter, who has already said she wants neons but I've read they fin nip? I was thinking maybe corydoras (providing my water is suitable), but please recommend.

Thanks and sorry for the long first post.

 

[kiwifeather]

Personally I wouldn't have anything but a betta in a 22l. Certainly not neons, they need to be in a school of 5 or 6 minimum and are active little guys. They really need a tank at least 60cm long. I don't know much about corydoras but I wouldn't have any in there either, again they are schooling fish. I'm not sure if Pygmy Corys are ok for this size or not though, someone who know more than me should be able to tell you.
This is a good list of nano fish, if anything is able to go with your betta it will probably be something from in here, but someone with more knowledge with me should be able to let you know.: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/418749-nano-fish/

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Nice tank, very colourful!
 
I'm afraid that only a single betta would be suitable, the tank is too small for anymore fish
If you want more than just one fish in the tank, have a look at the link KiwiFeather linked you to.
 
Make sure to cycle your tank before adding any fish, following the guide linked in my signature.

 

[guppy2002]

African dwarf frogs might be ok. The tank is very small though.

 

[Ch4rlie]

Hello and welcome!  

 
You'll be glad to hear that I have the exact same tank as you have! 

 
It is a small tank to start off with to be honest but as long as you keep an eye on water parameters and do weekly water changes of at least 25%, you might have some fluctuations due to the small volume of water.
 
It may sound like some negative comments from previous post but they are quite correct though in that there is not a lot of options for stocking fish wise.
 
I keep 7 Endlers and orange cherry shrimps as well as Malaysian Trumpet Snails (MTS)
 
The link kiwifeather gave for nano tank stoking is a good starting point in what you might like to keep in that tank.
 
Do keep asking advice and we'll help you as much as we can.
 
And BTW do keep posting pics of your set up. Like it, colourful! 

 

[chopperheys]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

I think it will definitely be housing a betta. Main reasons being that everyone likes them and also if I'm going to be getting a community tank then this is pretty much the best solution for getting a betta. I would still like something with it just as bottom dwellers basically.. The fish I had in mind was Corydoras Habrosus! But just 4 of them. Is that still not going to work? If not what about some shrimp, or will the betta eat them? Also would some shrimp help the cycle?

Question about the tank too. I've just got home from work and the water has gone cloudy. It was fine 11 hours ago when I left but now it's cloudy. What could be the cause of this? What shall I be doing? I can't do a full test on water as my test kit hasn't been delivered yet but can test for ph and nitrites of that's of use?

Thanks

 

[Ch4rlie]

Good idea just having a Betta in that tank, although don't think cories would be suitable for that tank really.
 
Shrimps would work but Betta will probably eat them, there are exceptions of course if Betta has the right temperament.
 
And no, shrimps will not help the cycle, in fact no live stocking will help the fishless cycle otherwise you would be doing a fish in cycle really.
 
Do follow the link that Blondilovesfish in her sig, it show how to do fishless cycle if you have not already read it.
 
Cloudy water in new tank set ups tends to be bacterial blooms, don't worry about it as that happens normally, it will go away eventually.

 

[chopperheys]

The water cleared up again after 2 days, so must of been as you guys said. The tank has changed marginally since the original picture. Firstly someone kindly informed me that I'd been illinformed about tying the plants to a rock, and that they should be planted under the gravel, so that's been rectified.secondly a new decoration has been introduced. Overall I think the tank looks pretty good, considering its not how I would of wanted it. Here's a pic for you all -



Not sure how visible it is but the front leaf has a brown tint on it towards the tip? Is this something to worry about? Do I need to do something about it? Or is it normal for plants in new tanks?

Thanks