The Best Realistic Freshwater or Brackish 30g Tank

[seanus]

Hello friends

I lost my whole tank due to a parasite two months ago I'm starting over, though...as many of us have!

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What is your favorite combination or species of fish to put in a 30gal hex tank (to go with existing medium sized rock, fake rocks, and lots of fake plants)? I'm open to freshwater or brackish water.

I am considering a brackish tank w/ green spotted puffers (2) or a freshwater cichlid tank with a silver tip shark...or something like these, something kind of unique, but strong.

I would love some realistic & not terribly expensive suggestions or opinions as to what the very best tank is


I would love to hear from anyone who is experienced & knows of relatively hearty fish that look pretty cool & are ideal for a 30gal tank. Thanks in advance

 

[houndour]

30 gallon hex would be tall wouldnt it? So I'm guessing that you'd need to think about the surface area when stocking.

I have a personal preference for smaller fishes. Tetras, guppies, corys and I love botia.

Out of your preferences I would try and recreate a puffer environment. Assuming puffers are OK for your sized tank (sorry dont have a clue there).

 

[@ombomb]

Couple of Angels?

 

[Erised]

A 30G can only hold 1 Green Spotted Puffer I'm afraid. And it being a hex, I'm not sure it it can keep a green spotted puffer at all. Perhaps, if you want a brackish puffer, the figure 8 puffer might be better for you. They get less big, I'd still not try and keep 2 in a tank that size though.

I do think you're better off going for a community tank though. With puffers, it's just not good to give them tankmates, they take a lot of upkeep (so do other fish, but puffers tend to be more sensitive) and a lot of research.

If you want more information about the puffers, I'd suggest posting in the brackish section. Unless ofcourse, you want 1 of the freshwater type of puffers ... for which you should go to the oddballs section

--Edit--
My personal stock list for a 30G hex would be 2 south american puffers, 1 bristle nose catfish and 5 freshwater bumblebee gobies. This is only because I have backup tanks to put the catfish and gobies into if the puffers attack. Also, for this to work you'll need a very heavily planted tank, loads of hiding places (in the form of rocks, wood, caves, pots, plants etc), heavy filtration and you'll definatly have to keep up the water changes.


Please don't take my opinion and fish preference as best though. I'd stay away from oddballs like puffers untill you feel you have enough experience ... and then do a lot of research (at least a weeks worth, preferable more) yourself before going ahead with it.

 

[seanus]

Thanks very much for the input, everyone.

I am always open to suggestions & this is that cool part of the process where I actually get to bring new life into the tank....there are sooo many possibilities, and I would love something that is relatively low-maintenance, but that has very interesting & beautiful fish.

Any other suggestions are welcome

Thanks