Hi everyone,
I’ve been doing some reading on the forums and have found lots of good info. I used to have goldfish and a couple of other basics up until 6 or so years ago, but have recently been bitten by the bug. I have a 10gal aquarium that is currently occupied by a cornsnake. But before long he will be moving into a new (bigger) home and the tank will be empty. So in an effort to keep from buying yet another snake (by this time next week I will have 11) I have decided to convert the tank into a planted fish community. So I have done some reading but still have some questions. Basically I have a HOB filter and hood with 15w flourescent light. So I guess I will get on with my questions:
I would like to use sand (Tahitian Moon Sand?) as a substrate. Are there any special considerations or needs that should to be addressed when putting plants in sand substrate (nutrient requirements, etc.)?
The fish I am thinking about getting: Hi Fin Platy, 2 Silver Tip Tetras, 2 Dwarf Gouramis
Is it okay to have two male gouramis (I have read yes and no)? There wont be a female present if that makes a difference.
Should I also get some sort of snail or other algae eater?
How specific do temps need to be for the fish? Since I keep snakes I keep the room temp a bit higher for them (78-82) in the summer months. I could always keep the tank in another room but I would rather have it in my room. Or let the temps fall lower and use heat year-round for the snakes.
As far as lighting if I only have 1.5wpg I should be okay without CO2, right?
Plants I am considering: Microsword (?), Java Fern
Any other plants you could recommend would be appreciated. I would like to have a grassy looking groundcover that isn’t too tall. Will the microsword (or other ground cover) crowd out other plants? And if so can it be maintained so that it wont? Also, any recommendations for floating plants for the gouramis?
And, finally, I plan on getting everything set up and the water at the right pH etc. Is it better to get the fish in before the plants or plants before the fish?
Sorry for all the questions and thanks for any help you can give me!
I’ve been doing some reading on the forums and have found lots of good info. I used to have goldfish and a couple of other basics up until 6 or so years ago, but have recently been bitten by the bug. I have a 10gal aquarium that is currently occupied by a cornsnake. But before long he will be moving into a new (bigger) home and the tank will be empty. So in an effort to keep from buying yet another snake (by this time next week I will have 11) I have decided to convert the tank into a planted fish community. So I have done some reading but still have some questions. Basically I have a HOB filter and hood with 15w flourescent light. So I guess I will get on with my questions:
I would like to use sand (Tahitian Moon Sand?) as a substrate. Are there any special considerations or needs that should to be addressed when putting plants in sand substrate (nutrient requirements, etc.)?
The fish I am thinking about getting: Hi Fin Platy, 2 Silver Tip Tetras, 2 Dwarf Gouramis
Is it okay to have two male gouramis (I have read yes and no)? There wont be a female present if that makes a difference.
Should I also get some sort of snail or other algae eater?
How specific do temps need to be for the fish? Since I keep snakes I keep the room temp a bit higher for them (78-82) in the summer months. I could always keep the tank in another room but I would rather have it in my room. Or let the temps fall lower and use heat year-round for the snakes.
As far as lighting if I only have 1.5wpg I should be okay without CO2, right?
Plants I am considering: Microsword (?), Java Fern
Any other plants you could recommend would be appreciated. I would like to have a grassy looking groundcover that isn’t too tall. Will the microsword (or other ground cover) crowd out other plants? And if so can it be maintained so that it wont? Also, any recommendations for floating plants for the gouramis?
And, finally, I plan on getting everything set up and the water at the right pH etc. Is it better to get the fish in before the plants or plants before the fish?
Sorry for all the questions and thanks for any help you can give me!