20 Gallon Tall Lighting and Stocking.

zak15

AC Members
Oct 15, 2007
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Dauberville, PA
I have a 20 gallon tall tank that I want to make into a planted tank. I was wondering what the best lighting amount would be for this being a tall rather than a standard dimension tank. I could also use some stocking suggestions of fish that swim at the top and mid areas so it doesn't look empty at the top.


Thanks, Zak
 
Hey Zak

Perhaps some danios or fancy guppies? Or a school of little neon or cardinal tetras. I think they are just too cute :) I do like dwarf gouramis as well. What were you thining so far?

What plants did you have in mind?

Ps. I'm Tori :)
 
I was looking for about 2-2.5 wpg with diy C02 and some ferts and anything that can grow in those conditions. As for fish the cardinals/neons sound good and are there any other (a little bit bigger) that like the top and mid areas.
 
Hatchets are good top level fish, but a lid is a must with these guys.

I've got both marble and silver hatchets in my 29 and all they ever do is hang out at the waterline.
 
Can't go wrong with harlequin rasboras for the mid levels. The cardinals or neons would swim below them.
Or you could go with a few platies, which swim all over.
 
I have a 20 gallon tall tank that I want to make into a planted tank. I was wondering what the best lighting amount would be for this being a tall rather than a standard dimension tank. I could also use some stocking suggestions of fish that swim at the top and mid areas so it doesn't look empty at the top.


Thanks, Zak


I'll leave the fauna choices up to you. I pick stuff people might snarl at.

However for lighting I would recommend nothing less than a 24" PCF Coralife Fixture or an AH Supply retro. if you have a Hood or want to retro a strip light housing.
 
I have a 20 gallon tall tank that I want to make into a planted tank. I was wondering what the best lighting amount would be for this being a tall rather than a standard dimension tank. I could also use some stocking suggestions of fish that swim at the top and mid areas so it doesn't look empty at the top.

I heard the dual T5HO from Hagen Glo are really good, but an AHsupply 2x55w PC's would be considerably cheaper.

Fish IMO I link Pencil fish which tend to stay to the mid/top half of the tank some are very nice I have Nannostomus marginatus and I think they are awesome. A inhabitants of corys, pencils, cardinals, black neons, blue rams some red cherry shrimp etc. can all make a 20gallon tall very interesting. I have Rams in mine.

check dwarf pencils out.
http://aquavisie.retry.org/Database/Aquariumfish/Nannostomus_marginatus.html
 
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