Stocking Advice In A 20 Gal

[chloebo]

Hi, I'm researching options for my first tank. I think I'd like to get a 20 gal, maybe 30, in the long style. I haven't bought it yet, so I don't know dimensions. I plan on adding live plants and driftwood, and cycling before buying fish. My water is soft to mildly hard, so I guess I need to add oyster shell to the filter? My main question is the choice of fish. I have decided on a school of 8 white cloud minnows, with perhaps a single male swordtail and a ghost shrimp or two. From what I can tell, they prefer similar water conditions. Does that sound acceptable? Would the shrimp do ok controlling algae or should I consider an oto over the swordtail? Also, any suggestions on plants/substrate? I haven't even researched that part yet. I have a petco and a petsmart, but don't know of a LFS here. Thanks for your help! Just trying to get it right.

 

[Xzavier247]

I would say, Buy the tank. Let it runs its course on the nitrogen cycle. Then when you have the aquascape set up, reevaluate on what would look good. Or what scale of fish you want to proceed with.

 

[noobgamers]

i would recomend if you get a 30 gall 4 swordtails 10 wcmm and about 6 amano shrinmp this will need to be heated to around 20 degrees 68 fareheit if it is 20 then 3 swordtails and 8 wcmm with 4 amanos would work better same temp e.t.c  use amanos/yahamtao instead of ghost as they are more effeicient than ghost and are more resistent to slight fluctuations in water conditions nitrate nitrite ammonia e.t.c

 

[fluttermoth]

There are two main ways of deciding what sort of set up to go for.

You can either; decide what fish you want, and then set up a tank that will suit them or you can get the tank and then look for fish which will be happy in it.

If you're set on WCMM, you will need a tank that is at least three feet long.

You will need to have a read of the threads and articles in the 'Cycle Your Tank' sub forum as well