recommendations: Cardinal Tetra school

[gd007]

Once I am done my fishless cycle (likely XMas) I have my heart set out on a school of ~12 Cardinal Tetra in my planted 55 gal.
Couple questions:
1) any recommendations on where I should purchase? Just ask my lfs to order some in? Certain webpage? Anyone here?
2) any helpful hints?
3) good tank mates?
4) bad tank mates?

Thanks!!

 

[Old Scales]

A really good place that is fairly close to you is thatfishplace.com. I like their fish because they are always healthy. Even though they are a little more because of shipping, I have a horrible wholesaler that is the only one who serves our area fish stores (out of Oklahoma City) whose fish are always diseased. I'd go with a school of 20-25 for a 55g.
OS.

 

[gd007]

A really good place that is fairly close to you is thatfishplace.com. I like their fish because they are always healthy.

Ahh , yes I forgot about that place!! It is a bit of a drive but worth it.

What are you thoughts on a group of Boeseman's Rainbowfish as well?
-GD

 

[severum mama]

A 4 foot tank is what I always recommend for Boesemani rainbows so yes, your 55 gallon is good. I'd keep a group of 6-8; these get fairly large and are very active swimmers. They are peaceful and should do fine with cardinal tetras.

 

[gd007]

here is what I am thinking based on feedback so far

OK so here is what I am thinking:
14 Cardinal Tetra
5 Boesemani Rainbows
4 Sailfin Mollys (1M:3F)
4 Fancy Guppies (1M:3F)
5 Panda Corys
5 Amano Shrimp
lots of MTS...from live plants

Stats are saying:
Recommended temperature range: 77 - 80.6 F
Recommended pH range: 6.4 - 7.5
Recommended hardness range: 5 - 15 dH (I don't know how to measure this?!?)

Your aquarium filtration capacity for above selected species is 122%.
Recommended water change schedule: 42% per week.
Your aquarium stocking level is 129%.

Image of tank attached. I am planning on hardy plants, floating plants for fry, and space for the mid-level swimmers to roam around.

I am banking on the Amano Shrimp, Panda Corys, and the free MTS to keep the algae down.


I am still doing the fishless cycle (4ppm Ammonia is my base). While it is technical possible to add all the fish at once when done I do not think I will for various reasons including $$ and fish availability.

What order should I add them? I was going to wait on the shrimps for ~6 months - another member suggested the biofilm needs to build up and ~6 months was the recommendation and that seemed to make sense.


Thoughts?
BTW - how do you measure hardness? I own the API Master Kit for the other essentials.


Thanks,
-GD_007

 

[gd007]

I'd go with a school of 20-25 for a 55g.
OS.

That would be excellent! I tried those numbers with the other fish I'm thinking about and i'd be overstocked by the #s.
The most I can do are 14 unless I start to swap out (i.e. 1 gupppy = 2 cardinals )

 

[gd007]

A 4 foot tank is what I always recommend for Boesemani rainbows so yes, your 55 gallon is good. I'd keep a group of 6-8; these get fairly large and are very active swimmers. They are peaceful and should do fine with cardinal tetras.

Great feedback, thanks! I did some additional research and I'm thinking I will have to go with 5 so that I can get the other fish (such as panda corys - who also require a school) I was thinking about.

I'm not even 7 days into my fishless cycle and I'm wanting a bigger tank... bad sign

 

[Mebbid]

Have you thought about switching the boesmanis out with praecox rainbows? This would give you more stocking room for the tetras.

 

[severum mama]

Have you thought about switching the boesmanis out with praecox rainbows? This would give you more stocking room for the tetras.

Those are really nice looking and a good suggestion. They won't look like much in the store but they're beautiful once they get settled in.

 

[Mebbid]

Those are really nice looking and a good suggestion. They won't look like much in the store but they're beautiful once they get settled in.

+1 when I bought my school their bodies were a grey color and now the males have developed a nice blue sheen and swim around flashing to the females.

 

[corydoralover]

If remove the mollies then you could add more tetras. They have a fairly large bioload.

 

[gd007]

Just wanted to say thanks to those that have been helping me. I am very excited to share that my first group of fish should arrive today (from thatfishplace.com). I purchased the 5 Boesemani Raindows and the 6 Panda Corys.

 

[Old Scales]

Fun day for you today! Good choices. Both fish very beautiful. Congrats. OS.

 

[gd007]

Thank you

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[gd007]

Just wanted to say thanks to those that have been helping me. I am very excited to share that my first group of fish should arrive today (from thatfishplace.com). I purchased the 5 Boesemani Raindows and the 6 Panda Corys.

FYI - pictures will be loaded here:
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forum...-to-arrive-drip-setup-290072.html#post2760004