new tank decor-lots of questions

[kitiaraj]

Since I have so many ideas and question I am going to number each one, that way if you want to reply or make suggestions, you can just reference the number! How's that sound?

First let me give you some details. I currently have a 10 gal tank with an adult angelfish and a 2" bristlenose pleco. I am cycling a 29 gal tank to move the angel and possible the pleco into. Now for the questions:

1. I would like to plant my 29 gal tank first and I really like a simple look. I was thinking about not having any tall plants, just ground cover. Maybe Hemianthus Callitrichoides. Anyone have any experience with this plant or type of plant(groundcover)?

2. I need to choose a substrate and I was thinking of using fluorite from Seachem. How do I clean this? Do I vacuum through it like I do gravel? And what about once it's been planted? Would sand be better?

3. I have considered adding additional fish to the 29 gal tank and thought about maybe some neon tetras in a small school. I have heard mixed ideas on the compatibility of angels and tetras. Anyone have any experience with this or suggestions for tank mates?

4. I would like to convert my 10 gal tank into a betta tank, maybe... But still open to other options. Don't want to overcrowd a 10 gal, so I wasn't sure what to put in there.

Ok, guess that's it for now. I'd appreciate any suggestions or opinions.

Thanks!

[fballguy]

Angelfish will eat neons IME. If you provide lots of tall plants for cover they might be OK, but I see you don't want tall plants so that probably won't work.

As for the 10, maybe a dwarf gourami, I really like the powder blue I have.

[sarcare]

I'm sure the angel would love the neons--really love the neons




:Angel: Yummy

Angels get big when they are fully mature as far as I've heard--it is good that you are moving it from a 10g. They eat neons in their natural environment, so usually will eat them in your tank. You could get some corys for the bottom, and some hatchets for the top--that would be a nice biotope. With something like eco-complete as a substrate, and some swords, it would be an atractive simple tank--though perhaps too small in the long run for both the angel and the rubberlip.

[jennypenny]

You can do short plants if you want, but angels seem to perfer taller plants to smiw in and out of.

[kitiaraj]

Thanks so much for the replies! I really like this forum, I just found it today. It's great to bounce ideas off of people who have as much experience as everyone here does.

Ok, so NO to the tetras. Rethink my planting ideas... I have some good ideas for tankmates now. One question for fballguy, and I'm going to go research the dwarf gourami, but would you have any tankmates for him? Or maybe not, considering the size of the tank.

[sarcare]

I love my dwarf gourami--georgie--he is a sunset dwarf gourami. He can be a bit of a bully--but some are shy. It is a personality thing. In a ten gallon, you could put some small tetras or rasboras with the gourami. But it depends on the individual fish. Mine has taken to nipping at the corys--as I've heard others do too.

[gagaliya]

1. I would like to plant my 29 gal tank first and I really like a simple look. I was thinking about not having any tall plants, just ground cover. Maybe Hemianthus Callitrichoides. Anyone have any experience with this plant or type of plant(groundcover)?

i dont care what anyone says, HC is NOT an easy plant. It requires intense light, co2, and nutrient dosing. The easiest carpet imo is pygm chain sword. Beautiful bright green color, no mess/loose parts(like mosses or hairgrass), and easy to take care of. The only thing is they grow a few inches taller than HC or hairgrass.


2. I need to choose a substrate and I was thinking of using fluorite from Seachem. How do I clean this? Do I vacuum through it like I do gravel? And what about once it's been planted? Would sand be better?

flourite is ok, but too much work for me. I would use either eco complete (instant substrate, just dump the whole thing in th tank), or aquasoils from adgshop.com (the best substrate on the market, it will pull nitrates in from water column and lower ph slightly - plants prefer lower ph)


3. I have considered adding additional fish to the 29 gal tank and thought about maybe some neon tetras in a small school. I have heard mixed ideas on the compatibility of angels and tetras. Anyone have any experience with this or suggestions for tank mates?

neon + angel = no. Well it's kind tough to stock anything with angel in a 29G, maybe try some harq rasboras, think they are big enough not to be eaten and very beautiful.


4. I would like to convert my 10 gal tank into a betta tank, maybe... But still open to other options. Don't want to overcrowd a 10 gal, so I wasn't sure what to put in there.
bettas are overdone, i would toss in some java moss and start a cherry red shrimp farm:) very cool critters especially as you watch them multiplier, just make sure you put a prefilter sponge on the intake.

Ok, guess that's it for now. I'd appreciate any suggestions or opinions.

Thanks!

...

[twig]

I have noticed that seasoned Angel owners seem to drop neons all together and make the switch over to Cardinals ...

=) You won't regret it. Cardinals are the best.

OHYA.

Don't just get a ground coverage. I tried that with bigger fish and it doesn't look the same as with really small fish =)

Bigger fish use bigger plants.

I'll tell you one thing. It's halarious to see a big Boesmani Male in full display colours cowering behind a big leaf like a Red Lotus in a moments fright... haha

One of my rainbows is afriad of the vaccum and he just happens to be my biggest studliest male.

[kitiaraj]

So gagaliya, how do you clean with substrate like this? I am used to gravel or bare bottom tank, and I want to make sure I can keep up with substrate. Oh and I'm definitely interested in the plant you mentioned. I'm going to the lfs in a couple hours so I will see what he has. I looked up the Harlequin rasboras also and I think they would be ideal with my angel. Especially since they fit so well in the conditions that my angel prefers.

And Twig, I have made some changes on my plans for planting the tank, so I will be adding a few larger plants in the background.
I had never realized a fish could be afraid of a vacuum! My fish is so laid back and so food motivated if you even go near the tank he comes right up. Regardless of who you are or what you are doing...

[gagaliya]

So gagaliya, how do you clean with substrate like this? I am used to gravel or bare bottom tank, and I want to make sure I can keep up with substrate.

You dont:) that's another advantage of a fully planted tank, i never graval vac. The wastes will be used as ferts. Also get some nerite snails, they are your best friend in a planted tank.

Oh and I'm definitely interested in the plant you mentioned. I'm going to the lfs in a couple hours so I will see what he has. I looked up the Harlequin rasboras also and I think they would be ideal with my angel. Especially since they fit so well in the conditions that my angel prefers.
It's a shame not many people can see how beautiful a school of harq rasboras look in a well lid planted tank. Those fish dont look good at all in pictures or bare tanks, but are amazing when placed in a planted tank. And also very hardy.

And Twig, I have made some changes on my plans for planting the tank, so I will be adding a few larger plants in the background.
I had never realized a fish could be afraid of a vacuum! My fish is so laid back and so food motivated if you even go near the tank he comes right up. Regardless of who you are or what you are doing...

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