Help/suggestions for a n00b starting his new aquarium

[sbkv]

Hi to all ,

This is Swaroop from Bangalore, India.

I have set up a new aquarium, my first one, after doing some basic research. I would greatly appreciate feedback & tips on improving my set-up from you guys.

These are the details of my aquarium:

Dimensions: 20" L x 18" H x 10"W Bow Front aquarium (apprx vol 16 US Gallons)

Substrate : Ordinary gravel 2" depth

Filtration: Top-filter with 650 L/hr LifeTech Powerhead (came with the
aquarium)

Fish: 8 nos. (4 x Neon Zebra) (2 x Rainbow shark) (2 x Red
sword tail)

Plants: 2 - Java fern (Microsorium pteropus) & Anubias (Anubias
barteri) i'm not sure if it is the 'Nana' or 'Petite' variant
both are anchored on 2 separate pieces of driftwood at
either ends of the tank.

Lighting : 18W CFL 6400K colour temp. (came with the aquarium) since
both the plants are slow growing & require moderate lighting i
suppose this should be enough. I don't plan to go for exotic plants with demanding substrate/nutrient/CO2 requirements

The set-up has been up & running for more than a month so it has almost completed cycling. I do 40-50% water changes weekly using a Gravel-siphon/vaccum & cleaning the wool sponge in the top-filter weekly too

My queries are:

1) Is the filtration sufficient? I don't plan on introducing exotic species like Discus/Cichlid etc.The top-filter presently only has 1 long wool sponge layer . Do i need to have/add any other layers(Activated carbon.Bio-balls,etc)? If yes, how do i separate the layers as the top-filter doesn't have compartments?

2) Is my tank over-stocked? I hear that the measure is 1" fish per gallon of water

3)I haven't put any rocks or any other decorations , though may add a solitary piece of Rock as the central part looks bare. I have a rock with me but i don't know its composition. How do i make sure it does not leech harmful minerals into the water?

4) Could you suggest any other plants for this set-up without high lighting/nutrient/CO2 requirements.

5) Could you suggest any suitable Tetra species i can introduce to this set up? I've heard that Tetras need soft water. The water I use is borewell(tubewell) water & is slightly brackish/hard. Any other small, colourful & tough species that you could suggest(Other than live-bearers/guppies!) ?

6) I'm not using a Heater as in Bangalore day tempratures are around 26 degrees Centigrade. Do I need to use one? If yes, what is the capacity I should go for (Wattage. I hear it is 2Watts per gallon.)? Also any preferred brands?


Any other suggestions/tips to this n00b would be greatly appreciated.

I'm attaching a pic of my setup with this post
Thanks!

 

[Veloth]

Hi to all ,

This is Swaroop from Bangalore, India.

I have set up a new aquarium, my first one, after doing some basic research. I would greatly appreciate feedback & tips on improving my set-up from you guys.

These are the details of my aquarium:

Dimensions: 20" L x 18" H x 10"W Bow Front aquarium (apprx vol 16 US Gallons)

Substrate : Ordinary gravel 2" depth

Filtration: Top-filter with 650 L/hr LifeTech Powerhead (came with the
aquarium)

Fish: 8 nos. (4 x Neon Zebra) (2 x Rainbow shark) (2 x Red
sword tail)

Plants: 2 - Java fern (Microsorium pteropus) & Anubias (Anubias
barteri) i'm not sure if it is the 'Nana' or 'Petite' variant
both are anchored on 2 separate pieces of driftwood at
either ends of the tank.

Lighting : 18W CFL 6400K colour temp. (came with the aquarium) since
both the plants are slow growing & require moderate lighting i
suppose this should be enough. I don't plan to go for exotic plants with demanding substrate/nutrient/CO2 requirements

The set-up has been up & running for more than a month so it has almost completed cycling. I do 40-50% water changes weekly using a Gravel-siphon/vaccum & cleaning the wool sponge in the top-filter weekly too

My queries are:

1) Is the filtration sufficient? I don't plan on introducing exotic species like Discus/Cichlid etc.The top-filter presently only has 1 long wool sponge layer . Do i need to have/add any other layers(Activated carbon.Bio-balls,etc)? If yes, how do i separate the layers as the top-filter doesn't have compartments? I would add a bag of ceramic rings or some other bio material.

2) Is my tank over-stocked? I hear that the measure is 1" fish per gallon of water IMO Yes. Look Here http://www.fishlore.com/profiles_rainbow_shark.ht m

3)I haven't put any rocks or any other decorations , though may add a solitary piece of Rock as the central part looks bare. I have a rock with me but i don't know its composition. How do i make sure it does not leech harmful minerals into the water? Pour vinegar on it, if it fizzes don't use it.

4) Could you suggest any other plants for this set-up without high lighting/nutrient/CO2 requirements. Java Moss

5) Could you suggest any suitable Tetra species i can introduce to this set up? I've heard that Tetras need soft water. The water I use is borewell(tubewell) water & is slightly brackish/hard. Any other small, colourful & tough species that you could suggest(Other than live-bearers/guppies!) ?
6) I'm not using a Heater as in Bangalore day tempratures are around 26 degrees Centigrade. Do I need to use one? If yes, what is the capacity I should go for (Wattage. I hear it is 2Watts per gallon.)? Also any preferred brands? AS long as the temp stays around that I think you'll be OK without a heater.


Any other suggestions/tips to this n00b would be greatly appreciated.

I'm attaching a pic of my setup with this post
Thanks!

:welcome: to AC my replies are in bold.

 

[shawnhu]

If you plan on increasing the bioload, I would look into getting a sponge filter inside the tank, as they are much better at housing beneficial bacteria to keep ammonia levels down. They are also much better if your swordtails should have fry and you want to raise them. Other than that, as stated above, Java Moss will do nicely in that tank with the lighting. Make sure your ammonia and nitrite levels are low enough before adding additional stock.

 

[itsanobsession]

1) I would also recommend the ceramic rings. look for the aquaclear inserts and get teh small size. that should work well and fit in the back of your filter. there wont be a slot but u should have some extra space back there. also when u wash out filter media do no rinse the ceramic rings becuase u will use those to house the beneficial bacteria and u dont want chlorine in the water to kill it.
2) i also agree with the 2 rainbows should probably go. and rgardless of tank size give it alittle while and one rainbow should be dead from aggression. rainbows and red sharksdont like any conspecifics in the same tank.
3)post a picture of the rock and i might be able to help. if you know anything about the rocks, generally rocks that are silicates are safe and id be wary of alot of others. calcareous rocks will cause ph to increase, i believe the vinegar test mentioned before tests this.
4) cryptocorne species grow well. just be aware that most go throw a leaf melting process so just let it take its course and the plant will grow. u might lose a few leaves first and then bingo. happened with mine and now there growing great.
5) kinda depends how hard/brackish.id say if the ph is under 8 you have some options. i have high ph in my water and have white cloud tetras, blue tetras, and apistogramma cacatouides living happily. the cardinals didnt survive in my water tho.
6) u wont need a heater if ur temperature is pretty constant. if u do need to get one u likely wont need a very powerful one. wattage kinda depends on size and how many degrees u need to raise the tank temp. tanks kept in 65 degree air need alot more powerful heater to raise temp to 80 than tanks in 75 degree environment.