So, I posted in another thread about my severely neglected tank. (Wasn't able to maintain due to extended illness.) I'm trying to get it back under control now. Unfortunately most of my fish did not make it through the period of neglect. Frankly, I'm rather shocked that any of them survived! Anyway, the first order of business is obviously to -- gradually -- get the water parameters and algae to a reasonable level. I've been working on that for the past few days and things are already looking a lot better. I'm definitely not ready to add any new fish quite yet, but I can't help thinking ahead to what I'd like to restock with once this tank is finally up and running properly again. I have some ideas, but I could use some help. Suggestions would be appreciated!
Here's what I've got:
Tank Dimensions: 48"x21"x20"
Substrate: Pool filter sand
Lighting: 1x 48" 65K daylight T5HO + 1x 48" roseate T5HO w/ 8-hour photoperiod
Heating: 2x 100W heaters set to 24C
Filter: 1x Fluval U4
pH: Was around 7.5 the last time I tested but haven't checked recently due to said illness and lending test kit to a friend.
GH & KH: Out of the tap Ca is pretty much nil since it has gone through a softener, buffering/carbonate however is still quite high (can't remember exact number... in and around 230ish, I think). I suspect the numbers for the tank look quite different now as I've had a lot of snails die off and leave their shells behind. Will update when I get my test kit back.
Ammonia/Nitrites/Nitrates: No idea what the numbers look like at the moment, but won't be adding more fish 'til I can test and am seeing 0/0/<20 anyway.
Flora: Currently anubias and Java fern
Fauna: Currently 4x Black Neon Tetras, 3x Bronze Corydoras
Future Additions:
1 additional filter (Any suggestions? Preferably something that doesn't churn up the water too much as the U4 already seems to create quite a bit of current. Also, I've not had good luck with air pumps+sponge filters in the past, so I'd rather stay away from those.)
Hornwort
Vallisneria
Sword plants
4 more Bronze Corydoras
8 more Black Neons
12 White Skirt Tetras
1 Bristlenose Pleco
~12 Amano shrimp (maybe)
1-2 large-ish, vibrant centrepiece fish
Obviously I want something that's going to be compatible with my other fish, both in personality/peacefulness and in water parameters/temperature. In addition to that, I'd like a fish that's not going to destroy my plants. I certainly don't mind the odd bit of grazing, but I'd rather not have my plants decimated! Something brightly-coloured, moderately-sized (let's say 4-6"), relatively hardy, and non-schooling would be ideal. I'd be open to keeping an individual or a pair, but if I'm going to get more schooling fish, I feel like I'd rather just increase the number of tetras instead.
Any recommendations for a nice, eye-catching addition once my tank is ship-shaped again?
Sorry there's some gaps in my info. Hope you've still got enough to go on to toss out a few suggestions. Thanks in advance!
Here's what I've got:
Tank Dimensions: 48"x21"x20"
Substrate: Pool filter sand
Lighting: 1x 48" 65K daylight T5HO + 1x 48" roseate T5HO w/ 8-hour photoperiod
Heating: 2x 100W heaters set to 24C
Filter: 1x Fluval U4
pH: Was around 7.5 the last time I tested but haven't checked recently due to said illness and lending test kit to a friend.
GH & KH: Out of the tap Ca is pretty much nil since it has gone through a softener, buffering/carbonate however is still quite high (can't remember exact number... in and around 230ish, I think). I suspect the numbers for the tank look quite different now as I've had a lot of snails die off and leave their shells behind. Will update when I get my test kit back.
Ammonia/Nitrites/Nitrates: No idea what the numbers look like at the moment, but won't be adding more fish 'til I can test and am seeing 0/0/<20 anyway.
Flora: Currently anubias and Java fern
Fauna: Currently 4x Black Neon Tetras, 3x Bronze Corydoras
Future Additions:
1 additional filter (Any suggestions? Preferably something that doesn't churn up the water too much as the U4 already seems to create quite a bit of current. Also, I've not had good luck with air pumps+sponge filters in the past, so I'd rather stay away from those.)
Hornwort
Vallisneria
Sword plants
4 more Bronze Corydoras
8 more Black Neons
12 White Skirt Tetras
1 Bristlenose Pleco
~12 Amano shrimp (maybe)
1-2 large-ish, vibrant centrepiece fish
Obviously I want something that's going to be compatible with my other fish, both in personality/peacefulness and in water parameters/temperature. In addition to that, I'd like a fish that's not going to destroy my plants. I certainly don't mind the odd bit of grazing, but I'd rather not have my plants decimated! Something brightly-coloured, moderately-sized (let's say 4-6"), relatively hardy, and non-schooling would be ideal. I'd be open to keeping an individual or a pair, but if I'm going to get more schooling fish, I feel like I'd rather just increase the number of tetras instead.
Any recommendations for a nice, eye-catching addition once my tank is ship-shaped again?
Sorry there's some gaps in my info. Hope you've still got enough to go on to toss out a few suggestions. Thanks in advance!