librarygirl
Look It Up
For those of you unfamiliar with my cycling issues, here's a quick summary:
Been fishless cycling a 20 gal since mid-June; this is my 2nd attempt. Even after adding a seeded sponge filter and two sponge pads ammonia is only dropping .5 per night. I've never had nitrites and nitrates are currently 20-30. Read the sordid details here.
So, on the advice of the excellent members here, I think I may try to start lightly stocking this tank within the next week or two. I need help with what to stock and where to get the fish. (Please note that my situation is unusual....don't try this at home ).
My setup as of today is:
For filters I have:
I've done some research and I know what I'd like my ideal tank to look like.....however this isn't an ideal situation. I need to pick one of my stocking options to add first, keeping in mind that depending on what my tank does this may be the only stock I may ever be able to keep in there.
So, here's what I was thinking for the full stock and then I'll ask some questions:
Questions based on the above:
1. I'm not good at stocking at all, so it's quite possible the above isn't even possible or at least not for a while, or it might even be overstocking? Any issues/concerns with those fish in terms of compatibility in the long-run? I want a peaceful community tank.
2. What to add first? I was thinking of either going with the Celestials or Guppies, keeping in mind whatever I add may end up being the only fish I can have in there, at least for a long while.
Any thoughts on which to add now? I am really in love with the Celestials but I know they can be shy as well. I'd be inclined to add them first b/c if they are the only fish I can have in there I would be happy as long as I can actually see them once in a while! Plus if they are added first they might be more comfortable and on the off-chance I can add another fish later it might reduce aggression/territory issues.
3. I have a lot more questions but this is getting long already
Now, where to buy the fish is another big issue. I've only seen the Celestials at one LFS here so far and I wouldn't buy from them (their tanks are questionable). I've heard mixed reviews about LiveAquaria (ich issues, etc). Unfortunately Severum Mama on here doesn't have them in stock as of now or else I'd go with her (unless anyone knows of reputable members on this site that might have some?). I've also seen AquaBid but I'm leery of them too. The only place I've seen the Cobra Guppies so far here is PetSmart and this particular one's tanks are rather dirty (at least they seem that way to me) although I've never seen any actual diseased fish, at least not Ich which is probably the only disease I'd be able to notice right off.
So I guess the short of it is: Guppies or Celestials first? How many? And any thoughts on where to get them?
I also forgot to add that I do have a baby snail in the tank now. It was a hitch-hiker I acquired. Not sure what type it is, I think it might be a Ramshorn due to the swirly shell, but it's VERY tiny, a few centimeters. If at all possible I'd like to avoid fish that would eat it.
Thanks and sorry for the long post (I could go on with temp requirements, feeding, etc, but I'll leave it here for now).
Been fishless cycling a 20 gal since mid-June; this is my 2nd attempt. Even after adding a seeded sponge filter and two sponge pads ammonia is only dropping .5 per night. I've never had nitrites and nitrates are currently 20-30. Read the sordid details here.
So, on the advice of the excellent members here, I think I may try to start lightly stocking this tank within the next week or two. I need help with what to stock and where to get the fish. (Please note that my situation is unusual....don't try this at home ).
My setup as of today is:
- 20 gal high (24"w x 12"d x 17"h) glass aquarium
- standard 24" florescent light.
- fake plastic plants so far (which I hate so am going to get some silk ones and I may get some live plants as well)
- standard aquarium decor (fake driftwood pieces which I'm going to add a few more along with some rocks).
- black aquarium gravel
- heater
- air stone
For filters I have:
- Aquaclear 20 HOB with 2 sponges and biomax
- internal Fluval U2 with two sponge pads with carbon pads attached and biomax in the middle.
- internal mag sponge filter
I've done some research and I know what I'd like my ideal tank to look like.....however this isn't an ideal situation. I need to pick one of my stocking options to add first, keeping in mind that depending on what my tank does this may be the only stock I may ever be able to keep in there.
So, here's what I was thinking for the full stock and then I'll ask some questions:
- A school of Celestial Pearl Danios (6-10)
- King Cobra Guppies (3-4)? (negotiable)
- Dwarf or Honey Gourami (1) (negotiable)
- 2-4 Otos (negotiable and maybe not feasible)
Questions based on the above:
1. I'm not good at stocking at all, so it's quite possible the above isn't even possible or at least not for a while, or it might even be overstocking? Any issues/concerns with those fish in terms of compatibility in the long-run? I want a peaceful community tank.
2. What to add first? I was thinking of either going with the Celestials or Guppies, keeping in mind whatever I add may end up being the only fish I can have in there, at least for a long while.
Any thoughts on which to add now? I am really in love with the Celestials but I know they can be shy as well. I'd be inclined to add them first b/c if they are the only fish I can have in there I would be happy as long as I can actually see them once in a while! Plus if they are added first they might be more comfortable and on the off-chance I can add another fish later it might reduce aggression/territory issues.
3. I have a lot more questions but this is getting long already
Now, where to buy the fish is another big issue. I've only seen the Celestials at one LFS here so far and I wouldn't buy from them (their tanks are questionable). I've heard mixed reviews about LiveAquaria (ich issues, etc). Unfortunately Severum Mama on here doesn't have them in stock as of now or else I'd go with her (unless anyone knows of reputable members on this site that might have some?). I've also seen AquaBid but I'm leery of them too. The only place I've seen the Cobra Guppies so far here is PetSmart and this particular one's tanks are rather dirty (at least they seem that way to me) although I've never seen any actual diseased fish, at least not Ich which is probably the only disease I'd be able to notice right off.
So I guess the short of it is: Guppies or Celestials first? How many? And any thoughts on where to get them?
I also forgot to add that I do have a baby snail in the tank now. It was a hitch-hiker I acquired. Not sure what type it is, I think it might be a Ramshorn due to the swirly shell, but it's VERY tiny, a few centimeters. If at all possible I'd like to avoid fish that would eat it.
Thanks and sorry for the long post (I could go on with temp requirements, feeding, etc, but I'll leave it here for now).