Stocking Suggestions For 20G

[Ny82]

I would do 6-8 ember tetras, 6-8 platinum tetras and 6-8 neon tetras. Black substrate and background with those colours against it - wow. 
I am thinking of that stocking for mine, since I can't find flame tetras. I also have a 20G (I think-it's 95L) and am giving up the guppies so was watching this thread to see what kind of things can go in. 

 

[Ninjouzata]

@Ruskull I would definitely like a dwarf gourami, but worried about it getting sick. Guppies are not my thing, but my father might like them Are espei rasbora the same as lambchop rasbora? Sorry If that's a dumb question We're getting the hasbrosus cories in another tank so I am trying to stay away from them, would like something different, otos would definitely be super adorable!!! Thank you
 
@Ny82 That also sounds great too! For some reason I am just not feeling the ember tetras, but I do really like the platinum ones, which I didn't know existed til you just suggested them, and the neon tetras. Agreed about the black substrate and background! Thank you

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Yes, Trigonostigma espei is the scientific name for that species.  The common name is espei rasboras or lambchop rasboras.

 

[Ninjouzata]

They looked like it to me but I just wanted to make sure! Thanks

 

[Ruskull]

I'm not certain but I think the actual volume of your tank is 16 gallons, not 20.

 

[Ninjouzata]

I am not certain either, not the best at calculating things, but I've had 3 people that I trust a lot with such things calculate it for me and all agree that it is 20g =o The person who sold it to us also said it was a 20g..I really hope it is, don't want to overstock

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I'm not certain but I think the actual volume of your tank is 16 gallons, not 20.

 
Rus, 
 
I personally calculated this myself. Its 20 Gallons.
 
Here's the way I calculated it:
Big middle rectangular prism 13x12.5x16.75 = 12 US gallons
Smaller Rectangular areas on either side 5.5x7.5x16.5 = 3 US gallons  (times two as its on both sides)
Triangular prism area on either side: 1/2 x 5.5 x 5 = 1 US gallon (times two as its also on both sides.)
 
12 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 20.

 

[Ninjouzata]

Eagles, with the initial stocking you gave me you mentioned 3 endlers, is there something else I could do in place of that? Is there a gourami that could go in there and would be okay with the other fish mentioned? Thank you again and still open to suggestions but obviously leaning to that one

 
Along with that, although I like the idea of black substrate/black background, I'm wondering if that would be too dark? Dad is also leaning towards brown sand, wonder how these fish will look against it? And we're actually undecided on the background, dad is wanting to try a reflective kind, like what you put on your windows so neighbors can't see in but you can see out, but reversed (I think) so it would mirror the fish and he believes this would make it look bigger and like there are more fish. Would it stress them out to do this?
 
*Edit* ..Does anyone know where to get nice but smaller driftwood?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Nin, you could put a honey gourami in place of the endlers easily enough.
 
 
Also, petco has some nice mopani... You won't find it in the aquatics section though, it will be in the reptile area.  That's where I've gotten all of my mopani in all my tanks.  You could also look online for manzanita, if you want something more branchy.  Many websites will actually sell you some WYSIWYG pieces.

 

[Ruskull]

 

I'm not certain but I think the actual volume of your tank is 16 gallons, not 20.

 
Rus, 
 
I personally calculated this myself. Its 20 Gallons.
 
Here's the way I calculated it:
Big middle rectangular prism 13x12.5x16.75 = 12 US gallons
Smaller Rectangular areas on either side 5.5x7.5x16.5 = 3 US gallons  (times two as its on both sides)
Triangular prism area on either side: 1/2 x 5.5 x 5 = 1 US gallon (times two as its also on both sides.)
 
12 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 20.
 

 
That's good enough for me!  I was basing it on a tank I almost bought awhile back that was a 16 gallon hex, supposedly.

 

[Ninjouzata]

I imagine a honey gourami is pretty much the only gourami we can get? Glad to hear it though!
Okay I will look around in the reptile section..and totally won't squee over all the animals there
I have tried looking online and the only place I found, seemed great, but I couldn't find any that looked quite right for the size I want, will keep looking though!
What is WYSIWYG?
Thanks again

 

[Lillefishy]

WYSIWYG is what you see is what you get

 

[Ninjouzata]

Oh okay Woops hehe, thanks!

 

[Ninjouzata]

We've decided to not use that black diamond blasting sand. From reading around I just don't feel comfortable with it and neither does my father. Would rather pay a bit more at petco or something and know that our fish will be safe.
 
Does anyone have any thoughts on the reflective background? In this case using a window tint that would make our windows look dark and just make a reflection of anyone looking in so they can't see inside the house. We think putting it on backwards would make it make a reflection of the fish and dad thinks it would make it look bigger & like there is more fish in the tank. (Did I say make enough?) Also wondering if it does work the way we think it will..is it going to stress the fish out? Thanks

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I don't think it would stress the fish.  Just not sure I'd do it, personally.
 
Maybe a background that looks like its the inside of the tank would work... and that the decor of the tank just continues into the background...  Using similar plants to what's in the background can work...