Hi I need stocking help

[Fish Hobbyist]

So, I was gonna get my neighbor's fish, but the deal fell through and I have a 20 gal high with the filter and no fish. So I am considering stocking options. I was thinking 1 lyretail mollie and 6 mixed variety platys? Is this good? Is that too much? I know mollies sometimes want a little bit of brackish water, but I think as long as everything else is okay, and since they are bred and raised fresh water in captivity, I might be okay? Can these fish get along together? Will it be too much for the tank and for the filter? I'm adding a lot of live plants and some frogbit to scoop some of the bad stuff out of the water. I could maybe bring it to 5 plays, 4 if I have to, but they like to be in groups, so I might have to find something else if 4 won't work for the tank... Also, I broke my leg so I have 9 weeks to think about it before I get them.

 

[Sgooosh]

So, I was gonna get my neighbor's fish, but the deal fell through and I have a 20 gal high with the filter and no fish. So I am considering stocking options. I was thinking 1 lyretail mollie and 6 mixed variety platys? Is this good? Is that too much? I know mollies sometimes want a little bit of brackish water, but I think as long as everything else is okay, and since they are bred and raised fresh water in captivity, I might be okay? Can these fish get along together? Will it be too much for the tank and for the filter? I'm adding a lot of live plants and some frogbit to scoop some of the bad stuff out of the water. I could maybe bring it to 5 plays, 4 if I have to, but they like to be in groups, so I might have to find something else if 4 won't work for the tank... Also, I broke my leg so I have 9 weeks to think about it before I get them.

its ok i think but maybe add one more molly and get rid of 1 platy

 

[Fish Hobbyist]

its ok i think but maybe add one more molly and get rid of 1 platy

Hm. Ok. I guess maybe I will. Thank you for the suggestion!

 

[Essjay]

I know mollies sometimes want a little bit of brackish water

That's a myth - they can survive in brackish water but what they need is hard freshwater.

The fish you mention, mollies and platies, are both hard water fish. If you have soft water they won't do well, though you can make soft water harder for them.
The best thing to do before getting fish is to check on your water supplier's website for the hardness of your tap water. You need a number and the unit of measurement rather than vague words.

Have you cycled the tank yet?

Cycling Your New Fresh Water Tank: Read This First!

Cycling Your First Fresh Water Tank What is Cycling and Why is it Important? Fish waste, and especially fish breathing, plus uneaten food and other organic matter breaking down in a tank all produce Ammonia. This can quickly become toxic to fish if it is allowed to build up to any measurable...

www.fishforums.net

 

[Fish Hobbyist]

We have hard water. I have a well, actually, so I don't know the specifics. I have a PH meter (waterproof and reccomded for fish tanks) on my supplies list. I also just broke my tibia monday, so I will not be setting the tank up yet. It was the same day my neighbor dropped the deal...
So I have plenty of time before I get the fish. It will be at least 9 weeks, maybe more.