Advise please!

[beetlesteve]

Hello,
I'm newe here, take it easy! It's my first tank and I know it's small!

I've now got my "Moby-Dick" 20L (4.4 UK gal - 5.3 US) with the 3 stage filtering including a bio-wheel up and running, it's been going now for around 4 weeks. I added two milky Platys after the first week and on monday added three Harlequin rasboras. I've been checking the levels of PH, Nitrate, Nitrite and ammonia every few days and all are well! I've also been doing the water changes weekly (and sometimes mid-week too)

I just wanted to get your opinions on what else I could add to the tank, the guy in the fish store suggested a couple of pygmy corys and another group of small fish.

I want to really brighten up the tank so was thinking of a couple of sunrise or sunset platys, would I need to buy two or would one be ok with my other two (male and female)

Any suggestions on what I could go for?

cheers,

Steve.

 

[William]

Ouch thats a small tank!! I'd say your already fully stocked if not slightly overstocked!! So no more fish, the guy in your fish store has got it wrong he's just trying to make some more money out of you by selling more fish... and when they die he can sell you some more!!

By buying test kits you've done the right thing. I would recommend saving up and next time buy the biggest tank that;
a) your funds allow
b ) your space allows

Because a 20gallon tank may sound a lot but it does fill up quite quickly )

 

[beetlesteve]

Thanks, unfortunately I thought that might be the answer! So how big will my harlequins become?

I wish I'd thought about this before buying the first tank I saw! )

 

[EddieW]

Hi - according to my sources your Harlequins could reach a size of 2". I find www.fishprofiles.com is a good online resource for checking out fish details. I would also suggest getting a book or two - the Baensch Aquarium Atlas has been highly recommended to me, I am just waiting for mine to arrive (14.99 online, 23.99 in the LFS). You will probably only need volume one unless you decide to go marine or keep oddball fish

I know how you feel about the small tank - I made the same mistake when I got my first tank and quickly overloaded it. The pet shop where I got it didn't tell me anything about cycling it or limits on fish, etc. so I managed to kill off a few fish at first. I only use that shop for odds and ends now and never buy any fish from them.

Now moved up to a 24" 60L tank and just saw a great tank set up in one of my LFS - got to work out whether I can fit the 48" tank or if I will have to go for the 36".

Welcome to the wonderful world of fish keeping! Once you start you can't stop If you have any questions this is the place to ask - don't worry if the questions seem basic, they don't bite!

Cheers, Eddie

 

[CFC]

Just thought id add that Eddie is right about the Baensch aquarium atlases,they are about the best refference books you can get without spending serious dosh.

 

[Thomas A. Anderson]

Indeed they are I got mine for £3 from a charity shop

 

[Kirstie]

What exactly are the most common sizes of tank? Anything between a 20gl and a 50gl?

 

[CFC]

Through chatting with fs owners and other customers it seems that around 30g seems to be the average size of tank,although most people admit they wish they had gone for something a little larger.If your thinking of upgrading then go for the biggest you can afford and accomadate,as there is nothing worse than seeing a fish you simply have to have but can't due to stocking limitations.

 

[beetlesteve]

Thoroughly dismayed at the fact I could only put 5 fish in my 5 gallon tank I've just purchased a second hand tank: please help here! This tropical fish lark has bitten hard!

http/fish.orbust.net/forums/index.php?ac...t=ST&f=1&t=3546


I was thinking I could maybe put a Betta in my 5 gallon once I've moved the others over, what else would you suggest could go in with it?

cheers

Steve.