Community Setup

[NomadRoMax]

Hello all,

Extreme newcomer here. I've been doing as much research as I can, and currently have a 20 high working it's way through the cycle. In learning though, I've come across some conflicting info which I'm hoping you all can clear up for me.

1. Will bristlenose be ok in this setup? Ideally, I'm thinking of getting 2-3.
2. Which substrate would be best for them, while also being optimal for a planted tank?
3. I'm hoping to get a school of cardinals to live with them, is this ok?
4. I'm looking to add a 'showpiece' fish to round out the tank, but haven't fixated on one yet. Any suggestions?

 

[Wills]

Hi welcome to the forum

So first question before you choose fish is how hard is your water? The fish you have listed do best in soft water.

The BNs would be a bit too big for a 20g, if your water is soft for the Cardinals you could look at something like Ottos but they are quite difficult to keep, especially in a new tank. An other option would be Red Lizard Whiptails which would work in the numbers you wanted.

But first lets work out how hard your water is If you dont have a hardness test kit you can usually check it on your water companies website.

Wills

 

[NomadRoMax]

Hi welcome to the forum

So first question before you choose fish is how hard is your water? The fish you have listed do best in soft water.

The BNs would be a bit too big for a 20g, if your water is soft for the Cardinals you could look at something like Ottos but they are quite difficult to keep, especially in a new tank. An other option would be Red Lizard Whiptails which would work in the numbers you wanted.

But first lets work out how hard your water is If you dont have a hardness test kit you can usually check it on your water companies website.

Wills

Thanks for the help! I've been trying to find a test kit for water hardness, but so far haven't been able to. If I can't find one in person soon I'll order one. I have the API master kit though, and love it!

The whiptails look amazing, by the way! Gorgeous.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

I find sand to be better for planted tanks than gravel.

BNP will be to big for a 20g high, even if you only got one. I have a single BNP in my 29g tank, and it’s debentures living happily for over a year.

Have you considered getting a bigger tank maybe? You can have more stocking options if you get a larger tank. (I would recommend a 29g - it’s a nice beginner size)

“Show Fish” or Center Fish, aren’t really necessarily. I don’t have a center piece in any of my tanks. It’s really just a personal
preference.

Once we get your GH and Ph readings, we will be able to suggest some stock.

 

[NomadRoMax]

Ok, got some readings.

Ph seems to have stabilized around 7.4 within the past few weeks. Again, it's still in the cycle, so not sure if that will affect the end results. GH seems to be around 30 ppm, so it seems like I have soft water. I'd like to retest over the next few days just to be sure I did the test right. Using a test strip for this result, I would prefer to find a liquid one. I suppose I could find one on amazon. I'm not sure if this matters, but the strip also had KH on it, which appears to be 40 ppm.

I'm okay with not having a centerpiece fish, I think I'd honestly prefer to have 2-3 groups of schooling fish with some bottom feeders, capacity permitting. The centerpiece was just something I was mulling over, but after thinking about it more, I'd like to do without.

@PheonixKingZ, I'd love to have larger. However, my apartment's verbiage on allowable size is very vague. I feel safe with a 20, and want to learn the basics and make sure I can provide appropriate husbandry before I commit to going larger.

Again, thank you all for your help!