Fish?

[getpitted4]

Hey everyone! Just learning how serious this hobby is. I want to have real plants in my tank and I would like some unique freshwater fish in it too. Any idea or opinions on what kind of fish would be interesting and can survive together.


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[Joeybsmooth]

We need a lot more information.
What size tank do you have, how much are you looking to spend, what kind of filter do you have .. stuff like that .

 

[getpitted4]

We need a lot more information.
What size tank do you have, how much are you looking to spend, what kind of filter do you have .. stuff like that .

That's the thing. I'm just starting and trying to figure all this out I'm thinking at least 40g and willing to buy any filter of it makes that much of a difference I don't want huge fish just ones that are a few inches. And whatever anyone says doesn't mean I'm gonna get them just would like to have some ideas in the back of my mind. I'm trying to have some what of an idea before I start buying things.
Thanks a lot. -zack


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[Mebbid]

A 40gl breeder is a great size for a starting tank.

The first thing we need you to do is do a little bit of research on what you want to do for plants. In general, there are 3 lighting intensities for plants with generally different needs in each category.

Low light: Heavily restricts the types of plants you can grow and how fast they will grow. However, it requires far less maintenance than medium or high light as well as costing less. Starting cost should be around $20 - $50 for a basic light.

Medium light: Opens up a ton of options. Algae can be an issue. Will likely need daily fertilizers and at least liquid carbon pressurized co2 would be beneficial. More expensive due to needing a more powerful light. Youre looking at a $200 range for lights and ferts if youre not getting pressurized co2.

High light: You can grow pretty much everything at this point. Will absolutely require daily fertilizers and will most likely need pressurized co2. It can be done without pressurized co2 but instead you will use large amounts of liquid carbon. Algae issues are problematic. Price can range around $500 if youre getting pressurized co2.

Prices are all highly variable depending on just about everything. They also dont count filters or heaters.

Filters: They arent as big a deal as people make them out to be. Generally, the more expensive they are the quieter they will be. Personally, i use aqua clears which for that size tank should run around $50. Some people swear by canisters, which while neat are absolutely not necessary.

Fish: head over to www.liveaquaria.com and pick out a fish or 2 you like. We can work a stocking list around that. Just no african cichlids as they demolish plants.

 

[getpitted4]

A 40gl breeder is a great size for a starting tank.

The first thing we need you to do is do a little bit of research on what you want to do for plants. In general, there are 3 lighting intensities for plants with generally different needs in each category.

Low light: Heavily restricts the types of plants you can grow and how fast they will grow. However, it requires far less maintenance than medium or high light as well as costing less. Starting cost should be around $20 - $50 for a basic light.

Medium light: Opens up a ton of options. Algae can be an issue. Will likely need daily fertilizers and at least liquid carbon pressurized co2 would be beneficial. More expensive due to needing a more powerful light. Youre looking at a $200 range for lights and ferts if youre not getting pressurized co2.

High light: You can grow pretty much everything at this point. Will absolutely require daily fertilizers and will most likely need pressurized co2. It can be done without pressurized co2 but instead you will use large amounts of liquid carbon. Algae issues are problematic. Price can range around $500 if youre getting pressurized co2.

Prices are all highly variable depending on just about everything. They also dont count filters or heaters.

Filters: They arent as big a deal as people make them out to be. Generally, the more expensive they are the quieter they will be. Personally, i use aqua clears which for that size tank should run around $50. Some people swear by canisters, which while neat are absolutely not necessary.

Fish: head over to www.liveaquaria.com and pick out a fish or 2 you like. We can work a stocking list around that. Just no african cichlids as they demolish plants.

Would you be able to help me out with all of this? You seem very educated about this. I've done a lot of tank research and looked into plants and the cycle and care but never looked into the plants with lighting and co2. Didn't really realize all that ya know? I'm trying to get into it and there is a lot to be educated about and I had no idea about daily fertilizers. I will check out that site and have ideas very soon.


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[Mebbid]

Would you be able to help me out with all of this? You seem very educated about this. I've done a lot of tank research and looked into plants and the cycle and care but never looked into the plants with lighting and co2. Didn't really realize all that ya know? I'm trying to get into it and there is a lot to be educated about and I had no idea about daily fertilizers. I will check out that site and have ideas very soon.


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Absolutely, I am more than willing to help. There's also plenty of people more knowledgeable than me here that will probably pop in on this thread sooner or later as well.

Personally speaking, I went straight for medium light without learning more about the other aspects of plant keeping. It quickly turned into an algae farm. It's commonly recommended to start out with low level plants (although I was never happy to just settle for low light myself ) Also, don't think that a low light planted tank can't be as nice as a high light tank; it just takes a while longer.

 

[Caliban07]

Let me offer my experience which may help you decide. The idea of using chemicals and injecting a potentially dangerous gas (to fish) in to my aquarium didn't bode well with me at all.

I looked in to more natural means of planted aquarium approaches. I used soil and clay as a substrate and let the fish, fish food, and soil fertilise the plants. I had what can only be construed as mega low light. It is a 46 gallon at about 20' deep and I didn't do any water changes.

For me this didn't work, even after tons of research and reading. The reason for this was simple, Co2. I had black beard algae everywhere.

When mebbid says that you are limited in plant section he is right. Low light plants are named because of their affinities towards carbon under low light and more often than not they work together. I added a range of different plants and in an under stocked tank of that size the plants were just not getting enough co2. Aquatic plants have so much difficulty in obtaining co2 because of its poor diffusivity in water and across the plant leaf membrane.

No co2 tanks are definitely doable but you really have to understand what is going on. High light and co2 does not mean expert level but each have their own pros and cons.

I took two Amazon sword plants from a 6 gallon tank (they took up two thirds) this tank also had a soil substrate (again not necessary) the roots were at least 8 inches long and the plants were perfectly healthy. I put them in my 46 and they slowly withered. I began adding liquid carbon and swapped my light fixture and went into the medium light bracket. All the plants in my 46 responded. I upped water changes and manually removed the algae. Plant mass increased and algae died away. Great finally I have a healthy planted tank!

Next came my macro fertiliser crash. Nitrogen, potassium and phosphate. Because I had increased the light and thus rate of photosynthesis and my plants now had enough carbon to match this rate they required more nutrients. So now I am having to add fertilisers. I began to get green spot algae (GSA) on the leaves of plants which is supposedly an indication of high light and low phosphate.

I now have my first co2 injection system en route.

Can you see how fast I have transitioned?

Don't let this put you off low light tanks. They can and do work. You just need to know why and how they can fail.

That brings me on to substrate. I recommend some kind of fertile substrate too of which commercially there are many. I like soil but I wouldn't recommend it to beginners but it provides micro nutrients indefinitely.


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[Finntastic]

Absolutely, I am more than willing to help. There's also plenty of people more knowledgeable than me here that will probably pop in on this thread sooner or later as well.

Personally speaking, I went straight for medium light without learning more about the other aspects of plant keeping. It quickly turned into an algae farm. It's commonly recommended to start out with low level plants (although I was never happy to just settle for low light myself ) Also, don't think that a low light planted tank can't be as nice as a high light tank; it just takes a while longer.

Same happened to me, I had kept very few low light plants and jumped to a medium light and BOOM algae bloom.

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[Finntastic]

Hello, welcome to the forum and best of luck to you. Okay so as of now Mebbid has gone over everything a beginner needs to know. I will say something about the co2 though, you don't need it, it sure helps out but if it fluctuates or anything it could kill the fish and it can get pretty pricy but in the long run its great. If you do decide to go co2 I'd wait until your tank is growing well and yhe fish are doing amazing and most importantly you know what you are doing. I can help out with stocking a lot though and here's another great website www.wetspottropicalfish.com

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[getpitted4]

A 40gl breeder is a great size for a starting tank.

The first thing we need you to do is do a little bit of research on what you want to do for plants. In general, there are 3 lighting intensities for plants with generally different needs in each category.

Low light: Heavily restricts the types of plants you can grow and how fast they will grow. However, it requires far less maintenance than medium or high light as well as costing less. Starting cost should be around $20 - $50 for a basic light.

Medium light: Opens up a ton of options. Algae can be an issue. Will likely need daily fertilizers and at least liquid carbon pressurized co2 would be beneficial. More expensive due to needing a more powerful light. Youre looking at a $200 range for lights and ferts if youre not getting pressurized co2.

High light: You can grow pretty much everything at this point. Will absolutely require daily fertilizers and will most likely need pressurized co2. It can be done without pressurized co2 but instead you will use large amounts of liquid carbon. Algae issues are problematic. Price can range around $500 if youre getting pressurized co2.

Prices are all highly variable depending on just about everything. They also dont count filters or heaters.

Filters: They arent as big a deal as people make them out to be. Generally, the more expensive they are the quieter they will be. Personally, i use aqua clears which for that size tank should run around $50. Some people swear by canisters, which while neat are absolutely not necessary.

Fish: head over to www.liveaquaria.com and pick out a fish or 2 you like. We can work a stocking list around that. Just no african cichlids as they demolish plants.

Well as a beginner maybe low lighting will be best for me. I really want a nice carpet on the foreground. I read that moss really is the best for growing in those conditions. What do you suggest for mid and background. The Internet has 8939 options what's your personal opinion for a beginner


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[Finntastic]

Well as a beginner maybe low lighting will be best for me. I really want a nice carpet on the foreground. I read that moss really is the best for growing in those conditions. What do you suggest for mid and background. The Internet has 8939 options what's your personal opinion for a beginner


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If you want a carpet, medium light-high light would be the best way to go.

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[getpitted4]

Hello, welcome to the forum and best of luck to you. Okay so as of now Mebbid has gone over everything a beginner needs to know. I will say something about the co2 though, you don't need it, it sure helps out but if it fluctuates or anything it could kill the fish and it can get pretty pricy but in the long run its great. If you do decide to go co2 I'd wait until your tank is growing well and yhe fish are doing amazing and most importantly you know what you are doing. I can help out with stocking a lot though and here's another great website www.wetspottropicalfish.com

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I am going to look into that site you guys are very helpful I will be contacting you frequently.


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[getpitted4]

If you want a carpet, medium light-high light would be the best way to go.

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Will that be worth it as a beginner? Should I keep it more simple? I would really like to be successful. I want it to be a thriving tank obviously bit just starting I don't want to get ahead of myself. I liked he suggestion of using co2 once the tank is cycled and everything is well so I think I going to do that.


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[Finntastic]

I am going to look into that site you guys are very helpful I will be contacting you frequently.


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Awesome the more questions the better

Will that be worth it as a beginner? Should I keep it more simple? I would really like to be successful. I want it to be a thriving tank obviously bit just starting I don't want to get ahead of myself. I liked he suggestion of using co2 once the tank is cycled and everything is well so I think I going to do that.


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It will be worth it, I just got into planted tanks and my first light was a low light but I had very very few live plants and they weren't the right kinds either, than I bought a medium light and it is well worth the cost (Fennex planted 24/7 LED light, it's on amazon. Great light) and it's awesome. It's very easy to use, great for a ton of plants and brings out the color. Only thing you need to watch out for is algae so have your lights on at a max of 10 hours a day. And with the co2 be careful but it will help out with the tanks health and plant growth a ton.

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[Fresh2o]

I have a moss carpet under the lower end of medium light, no CO2:

The carpet effect is achieved by spreading moss onto 4"x4" stainless steel mesh squares and securing with fishing line. I also have moss on the driftwood.
For more info on planted tanks and their requirements, you can peruse the articles in the stickies posts in the FW Planted section.


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[getpitted4]

Awesome the more questions the better







It will be worth it, I just got into planted tanks and my first light was a low light but I had very very few live plants and they weren't the right kinds either, than I bought a medium light and it is well worth the cost (Fennex planted 24/7 LED light, it's on amazon. Great light) and it's awesome. It's very easy to use, great for a ton of plants and brings out the color. Only thing you need to watch out for is algae so have your lights on at a max of 10 hours a day. And with the co2 be careful but it will help out with the tanks health and plant growth a ton.

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What's your outlook on a Guinean bichir


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[Finntastic]

What's your outlook on a Guinean bichir


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The thing about Bichirs are they tend to eat small fish that they can catch, they get big (takes a while), and they are a little harder to keep (from what I've heard). I personally have never kept them but ask around. I could put a small list together though arranged around that fish if you would like. Find out what you can about them by researching them.

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[getpitted4]

The thing about Bichirs are they tend to eat small fish that they can catch, they get big (takes a while), and they are a little harder to keep (from what I've heard). I personally have never kept them but ask around. I could put a small list together though arranged around that fish if you would like. Find out what you can about them by researching them.

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Bichirs are too big. I started looking at loaches and they had the same look and were way smaller, pretty hardy and bottom feeders to help keep the tank clean. I saw that I would need a better filter with this species because they burrow and mix the substrate around. So I like the Kuhli loach and the red tailed shark. What do you think? What other fish can be used if the tank was 40 to 50 g?


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[getpitted4]

A 40gl breeder is a great size for a starting tank.

The first thing we need you to do is do a little bit of research on what you want to do for plants. In general, there are 3 lighting intensities for plants with generally different needs in each category.

Low light: Heavily restricts the types of plants you can grow and how fast they will grow. However, it requires far less maintenance than medium or high light as well as costing less. Starting cost should be around $20 - $50 for a basic light.

Medium light: Opens up a ton of options. Algae can be an issue. Will likely need daily fertilizers and at least liquid carbon pressurized co2 would be beneficial. More expensive due to needing a more powerful light. Youre looking at a $200 range for lights and ferts if youre not getting pressurized co2.

High light: You can grow pretty much everything at this point. Will absolutely require daily fertilizers and will most likely need pressurized co2. It can be done without pressurized co2 but instead you will use large amounts of liquid carbon. Algae issues are problematic. Price can range around $500 if youre getting pressurized co2.

Prices are all highly variable depending on just about everything. They also dont count filters or heaters.

Filters: They arent as big a deal as people make them out to be. Generally, the more expensive they are the quieter they will be. Personally, i use aqua clears which for that size tank should run around $50. Some people swear by canisters, which while neat are absolutely not necessary.

Fish: head over to www.liveaquaria.com and pick out a fish or 2 you like. We can work a stocking list around that. Just no african cichlids as they demolish plants.

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[getpitted4]

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What do you think about LED compared to T5, T2 or T12 lighting? There can be huge price differences with LED. If I want medium lighting in a 40 -50 g tank what would you use?


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