New to FW, Setting up tank

[HaKs310]

Hello to all.

So this will be my first attempt at a freshwater fish tank, I've kept SW tanks in the past so i guess I have some of the basics down.

I'll be setting up a 29g tank, looking to do a community tank with fake plants and driftwood. Going the fishless cycle way, will just drop a cocktail shrimp into the tank and leave it in there for a week to kick-start the process.

So lets get the questions out the way:
-Will be using bio-balls as my filtration with bi-weekly water changes. Is that fine?
-Temperature...looking at a 77-79F range? What would be ideal?
-What type of water should I be using? In my SW tanks all I ever used was RO/DI water.

Stocking list:
-12 Cardinal Tetras
-1 Neon blue Dwarf Gourami
-2 or 3 Cory Cats
-3 Red Cherry Shrimp
-Nerita Snails...how many would I need?
I would like to add a couple more colorful fish so I am open to suggestions.

[Hooked Newbie]

Hello to all.

So this will be my first attempt at a freshwater fish tank, I've kept SW tanks in the past so i guess I have some of the basics down.

I'll be setting up a 29g tank, looking to do a community tank with fake plants and driftwood. Going the fishless cycle way, will just drop a cocktail shrimp into the tank and leave it in there for a week to kick-start the process.

So lets get the questions out the way:
-Will be using bio-balls as my filtration with bi-weekly water changes. Is that fine?
-Temperature...looking at a 77-79F range? What would be ideal?
-What type of water should I be using? In my SW tanks all I ever used was RO/DI water.

Stocking list:
-12 Cardinal Tetras
-1 Neon blue Dwarf Gourami
-2 or 3 Cory Cats
-3 Red Cherry Shrimp
-Nerita Snails...how many would I need?
I would like to add a couple more colorful fish so I am open to suggestions.

:welcome: to AC!

Your stocking looks pretty good, but may be a bit too much. I'd suggest no more than 6-8 Cardinals and skipping the Neritas. For the cories, find the true pygmy and go with 3 or skip them and add to the shrimp. What type of filter? Weekly water changes are always better (and pretty easy on a 10G), for water, no need for RO, tap with Prime (or like water conditioner) is fine. Your temp range looks good for them. It may be a tad high for the cories however. When you drop the shrimp in for the cycle, make sure to put it in a stocking or media bag so it doesn't crud up the tank.

[HaKs310]

Thank you.
So I'll be doing weekly water changes of 4g

Revised stocking list:
-7 Cardinal Tetras
-1 Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami
-3 Pygmy Cory Cats or 5 Red Cherry Shrimp

Are these shrimp really active? Will they be visible througout the day?

[Hooked Newbie]

Thank you.
So I'll be doing weekly water changes of 4g

Revised stocking list:
-7 Cardinal Tetras
-1 Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami
-3 Pygmy Cory Cats or 5 Red Cherry Shrimp

Are these shrimp really active? Will they be visible througout the day?

Looks good. You could easily go with 10+ shrimp. They are visible, but will need hiding places. The juviniles will be tasty treats for the Gourami &/or Tetras.

[jm1212]

since cardinals are small, and the other fish you listed are also small, i think you would be ok with a little more than 7 cardinals in a 29 gallon

[Hooked Newbie]

:duh: I soooo read 10G somehow! Sorry. JM's totally right, plenty of room for more Cards +.

[HaKs310]

Haha, no problem. So you fellas think my original stocking list will do or is that still to many fish? Any suggestions on other colorful fish? I really want a nice showpeice fish.

[Hooked Newbie]

The original looks good (now that the tank size is 3x what somehow entered my brain). If adequetely filtered, I'd probably increase it actually. More shrimp 10 - 20 and 6-8 Cories of the same species.

[HaKs310]

ith the original stocking list would I possibly be able to add 1 or 2 more mid-level fish? I really like some of the rainbowfish and platys.

[HaKs310]

After more researching, i found a fish that i really liked, a Ram Cichlid. Can I add two of those down the line, with the OG stocking list?

[Coler]

I would say yes - nice little fish too, especially if you can get good stock; they can be very weakly; over bred for the aquarium trade.

[Hungriee]

For a 29g, I would go with a pair or single German Blue Ram Cichlid. These guys are super colorful. Cardinals are nice, but I personally like Rummy Nose Tetras more.