New guy just getting started

M

mgb

AC Members
Feb 27, 2012
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I just wanna say hi, I'm just getting into the hobby of tropical fish.
I'm in the process of planning the setup for my 20 gallon high tank now. Some day if I can find room, I'll go with a larger tank but for now I'm going with the 20 high.

My plans for the tank are for a school of Glowlight Tetra and a Dwarf Gourami, plus maybe a couple of other small fish.

I plan to have a decent amount of plants for the fish. I hope to keep the plant stuff simple. I'm planning on easier to care for plants as I really am more into the hobby of the fish and not so much the plants.

Right now I'm trying to plan right for the substrate so I can get it in, fill the tank and start a fishless cycling.

Any help and ideas would be appreciated.
 
If you insist on Dwarf Gourami's find U.S. bred ones, I had a pair for several months who recently died from Dwarf Gourami disease after researching it some it seems pretty much all the asian imported ones carry it.

As far as substrate I like sand, it looks natural and is relatively easy to care for.
 
Thanks, I will definitely look into us bred Gouramis.
I think I like the idea of sand. I'm probably gonna go with Black Diamond blasting sand (I will wash it well first). I love the black color and its priced musch better than what the fish stores sell. I also plan on painting the back glass of the tank. I think this and the black substrate will really help the Glowlight Tetras to look great.
 
TL1000RSquid said:
If you insist on Dwarf Gourami's find U.S. bred ones, I had a pair for several months who recently died from Dwarf Gourami disease after researching it some it seems pretty much all the asian imported ones carry it.

As far as substrate I like sand, it looks natural and is relatively easy to care for.
Click to expand...

Dang, duder :/ what a bummer. I agree with the sand idea. Pool filter sand is easy enough to find and so is play sand, but the play sand has to be rinsed a bunch before you put it in the tank. I use it myself because I dig the look of it. Anyways, good luck!

:cheers: and welcome.
 
Well, I'm now still trying to decide what to stock my tank with.
I thought my mind was made up to start with the Tetra and then possibly a blue neon dwarf gourami (though their hard to find locally bred).

Now a guy I work with went and mentioned that there are fresh and brackish water puffers.
Now I'm really caught up on the idea of a single Figure 8 Puffer.
I know this would be a brackish setup.

As for substrate, I'm liking the idea of using Black Diamond blasting sand. I understand it needs to be cleaned very well before putting in the tank.

I just hope to lock down what I wanna do so I can get this tank filled and start cycling but I don't wanna rush it.
 
Yeah, I've been thinking about it all day and maybe I'm best with my original plan. I've gotta stop looking at those cute f8 videos and pics though. They suck you with their cuteness.
 
Go with your original plan. It sounds like a good one and we all have to start somewhere. Get some experience with the fish/tank/plants etc. Make some of those "newbie mistakes" we all make;).
Beware! You are already having your first brush with the motivation for the dreaded MTS (Multiple Tank Syndrome) "I think I need another tank for those cute puffers!" There are so many amazing critters to explore that it's hard to narrow it down. Good luck and keep us posted(preferably with pictures!)
 
While you are deciding on just what to put in the tank.
You could fill it with water.
Turn on the filter.
Turn on and get the heater adjusted.
Start working on the cycle.

Then when you decide on the substrate. You can just drain the tank, add it and re-fill.
And keep working on the cycle.
 
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