Another 20 gal stocking validation

[SnD]

Hello All,
My daughter will be getting a 20g for her 13th birthday. She has done a lot of research and would like to stock it with the following:

6 white clouds
8 neon tetras
3 guppies
3 platys
1 otocinclus Catfish

She also wants some live plants:
- a few Amazon swords (one end of the tank)
- a "bushy corner" on the other end of the tank
- and a decorative driftwood center piece.

Being relatively new to this myself, I think this is a nice stocking plan. Any suggestions would be welcomed.

Also, a question on filters. The kit we will be buying comes with an AquaClear 150 (newer model is the 30) power filter (hangs on the back of the tank). For this community of peaceful fish would a sponge filter set-up make better sense? (I assume the current isn't as strong with a sponge filter.)

Thanks for the help!

Cheers,
Scott

[Hannys_Papa]

I am not good with stocking Qs so i hope someone else will comment on that.
My $0.02 though:

I think Otos like to have a few buddies - so maybe have 2 or 3. They seem very delicate and usually don't do well in new aquaria (no algae) - so i'd plan on ading them last (and once the tank is well established).

If you are going to buy a kit - you probably wont have much success with live plants. Lighting is the big issue here -and usually not sufficient to grow anything but the lowest light plants.

I don;t think you will have any issue with the AC150 in that tank. They work well and the current is fine for the fish you have in mind.

Ooops - almost forgot. Take the time and read up on "cycling a tank" - if you haven't done so yet. And i would like to compliment you on doing research ahead of buying fish. Very often people don't and come here when its too late. :thm:

[Jay-Stew]

HI, Do your self a favour and forget the Platys. They breed like mad and I personally find them to be jerk's. They also can produce alot of waste. The biggest thing is they really breed like mad, oh I already said that. Get some Buddies for your Otto's or try some cardinal tetras instead of the neon's. They are bigger are more colorful. Anyways goodluck !!

PS: I know I sound like a hippocrit but I originally bought 3 Platy's, ended up with 40, traded them now I am just waiting for nature to take its course with my last 5. And I am not holding my breath!! :D

[SnD]

Thanks very much for the advice. She was planning on adding the neons last. However we'll make sure there is enough algae for the oto's (now 2 or 3) before we introduce them.

Actually the kit does have a dual lighting. I bought the same one a couple of months ago, and have had good success with live plants so far.

Thanks for the 'cycling' research advice. Fortunately, we had a good salesperson when I bought mine and he guided us through the process (and the 4 weeks gave us time to do lots of reading :-) )

Cheers

[Hurley]

I would be careful with guppies and platys, only because they breed really easily and could quickly over populate the tank. I have to agree with getting more then one otto. They like to school. I agree that they should be added later, once the tank has some algea growth in it. Definantly check out the articles about cycling, it will save you and your daughter frustration and money as well as the lives of the fishes! If your daughter is anxious and ready to put fish in right away I suggest buying the product called BioSipra. It is the only product that, IME, works to immediately cycle the tank with fish in it. Just make sure you buy it refridgerated and keep it cold.

If you are worried about the filter being too strong for your fish, I wouldn't worry. A healthy adult fish is too strong to just get sucked in a filter. However, you can add a sponge around the intake if you are still worried.

Seems like you did your research. It will make setting up the tank much smoother, believe me! Good luck!


Edit: sheesh you guys are fast typers!!! :eek:

[new2tanks]

SnD, the kit that i got-a 21 gallon kit, came with the best lighting that i have seen most starter kist come with.they had 2 double barreled fluorscent lighted hood-which i thiought was a good deal.
unfortunately its being sold by *ugh* Pj's pet center.

[justintoxicated]

I just setup my 20 gallon.

I slapped a Fluval 204 on here I got from Dr Fosters online for $55, Thats ONE hell of a filter for a 20 gallon, shoudl be nice low maintanence. It has really cleared up my water over the last few days!

If you are going to do plants and get a better light, with something like hagen C02 (DIY type setup) I would recomend a caniser filter. I love the way you can close the valve to the lines, then pickup the filter and go clean it where you want! The aquaclear filter will be enough but the extra $20 was WELL worth it for me. The problem with the aquaclear and DIY Co2 is you will have to modiy it a bit to reduce surface agitation. I can't say how much I love this filter so far! Silent too. (not sure about how well it would work with the rest of your fish, the petstore told me I'm WAY WAY overkill but it wasnet like it was much more money at all!)

I have guppy fry in my tank (about 2-3 weeks old) and they don't seem to have any issues getting sucked into the filter and the current is pretty strong and solid, but you can adjsut it any direction you want. I believe it cycles all the water in my tank 100's of times per day!

Guppys just get boys and you will not have any problems. It is very easy to tell the males from females..

Start with 3 ottos and add them after you see some algae growth.


For live plants don't forget you will also need,
a Timer.
a good substrate like flourite.
and a good light.
and also a carbon source.

I would recomend Crypts, as they do well in all my tanks in various substrates with various amounts of light.

[SnD]

Thanks to everyone for your insight and ideas.

We'll keep you posted when the "implementation phase" begins!

Cheers,
Scott