Got A Tank Now For Suggestions

[looking-glass]

well
 
I've managed to find myself a tank 

 
Its a Marina looks to be around 2 and a half feet wide i will measure it shortly and post the actual dimensions.
 
 
A bit smaller than i wanted but i've got room to get a bigger tank at a later date, i only went for this one as a friend was selling it and it was a great price so ive got more money to spend on decor etc.
 
 
I want a nice community aquarium so has anyone got any good suggestions of what to go for once its set up and cycled

 

[Freedom]

Hard to say without knowing the size.
 
I am a fan of many small fish, rather than a smaller amount of larger.  I enjoy watching them, the more the better!

 

[looking-glass]

after browsing the net looks like i have the Marina 30 with the following dimensions:
 

• With lid W80 x D30 x H47cm
  Without lid: W80 x D30 x H40cm
• Holds 76L maximum - taking into account substrate, plants and decor etc

 

[csfishkeeper]

That's a 20 gallon if my math is right.
 
Small fish are wonderful and so much fun to watch.
 
Possibilites are Endlers, Celestial Pearl Danios, Dward Rasboras, Pencil Fish, pygmy cory's, shell dwellers, or guppies. My recommendation would be to look around the web or at auction sites like aquabid to see what grabs your attention. If you have a good local store that offers some variety, taking a look in person would be a good thing.
 
20 gallons has it's limitations, but enough to keep most people happy.

 

[looking-glass]

That's a 20 gallon if my math is right.
 
Small fish are wonderful and so much fun to watch.
 
Possibilites are Endlers, Celestial Pearl Danios, Dward Rasboras, Pencil Fish, pygmy cory's, shell dwellers, or guppies. My recommendation would be to look around the web or at auction sites like aquabid to see what grabs your attention. If you have a good local store that offers some variety, taking a look in person would be a good thing.
 
20 gallons has it's limitations, but enough to keep most people happy.

some good suggestions there i've looked into my local water parameters and the ph is quite high coming out at 8.3 so that could be an issue but ill see if i can keep it down with buffers
keep the suggestions coming everyone

 

[Freedom]

You tank is about the size of mine.  You can see what I have, in my siggy.  I wish I had a few more colorful fish in there, maybe cardinal tetras (not sure if they would work with what I have).  But my tank is just about full, so not adding any.  Just pointing out what error I think I made.  Or perhaps I could have done cherry shrimp instead of the otos. 
 
I DO enjoy what I have!  Don't get me wrong.  As you are starting from scratch, something to consider.

 

[looking-glass]

yeah I have the measurements now its:
 
30" wide
15" high
12.5" long
 
so that should be 92 litres 
 
and around 20.28 gallons for my American friends
 
 
im always like that when I get fish wishing id of chose something else instead but hey its always an excuse to get another tank

 

[csfishkeeper]

My water is moderatly hard and my ph is 7.6 (filtered). Most fish can adjust to higher ph is acclimated well and it stays consistent. If you need to lower your ph, try moss or driftwood. It slowly lowers without wild swings.

 

[looking-glass]

yeah I always like the look of bogwood in a tank so ill definitely be investing in some  

 

[Brahmza]

I suggest a dwarf gourami with a school of small tetra (rummynose, neon, cardinal, etc), a shoal of pygmy cories and some Khuli loaches. The bioload might be a bit high, but nothing an extra water change can't take care of .

 

[fluttermoth]

It is very difficult to lower pH and yours is quite high
 
I don't think South American fish are going to do too well. You might find better fish for your set up amongst the livebearers and rainbows.
 
Threadfin or Celebes rainbows are both quite small, don't mind hard water (and are beautiful!).  Bottom dwellers might be more difficult. Both pygmy cories and kuhlis prefer soft acidic water (kuhlis will go down to pH 4!). Some shrimps like hard water, had you thought of them?
 
Or you could look at shell dwellers.

 

[daizeUK]

I agree with Fluttermoth

I have pH 8.3 and I keep threadfin rainbowfish and livebearers. Threadfins are such a beautiful fish! They occupy the upper levels in my tank and my livebearers (platies) fill up the lower levels. Cherry barbs might be another good choice instead of livebearers.

 

[csfishkeeper]

Bronze and Albino Cory's are pretty good choices for higher PH levels, just do a long slow acclimation.

 

[star4]

If you like a new world sort of set up with bogwood etc have a look at the american flag fish, its not a cichlid but a kilifish but they do have very cichlid like bahaviour, 92l would be just enough for a male and two females, or you could just go with a male and female. However only one male as they can get quite nasty with each other.

 

[looking-glass]

ill see how the ph fluctuates once ive got the tank set up and decide from there before i add any fish

 

If you like a new world sort of set up with bogwood etc have a look at the american flag fish, its not a cichlid but a kilifish but they do have very cichlid like bahaviour, 92l would be just enough for a male and two females, or you could just go with a male and female. However only one male as they can get quite nasty with each other.

id totally forgotten about these ill have to see if i can source any from the shops local to me

thanks again for the suggestions guys