20L build, for freshwater noob

S

simpler

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Aug 27, 2008
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I was recently at Petco and they had their 1$ per gallon sale, so even though i didnt need a tank i decided to get one because it was such a great deal. I currently have a saltwater tank, but i wanted a smaller quieter one for my study room where i do my homework (still in highschool).
-First thing i did was wash the black gravel i bought and paint the back black. For lighting im using a 65 watt compact flourescent, and even though its meant for saltwater i had it lying around and i prefer the blue hue it gives off.
For now i have a male and a female swordtail as well as three neon tetras.
If you have any ideas for fish that would look good please tell me, mainly looking for neon or bright fish to contrast with the black background. I also want to add some plants so suggestions for that are welcome as well.
anyways here are the pics.
where it is in my study room
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rock work (plan on having most plants on the right with some open space in the middle)
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neon tetras and swordtails
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side shot (crappy camera)
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ok thats all for now ill keep you guys updated..
 
Did you cycle the tank? I would suggest adding more neons-they really tend to do better in a group. What type of lighting do you have? I would suggest getting some anubias nana to put around the rocks.
 
yes i cycled it for a day which really is probably a lot less than i shouldve, not really sure why i listened to the guy at petco anyways, based on their saltwater knowledge i shouldve known theyd be just as uneducated in freshwater. I did a 25% water change today (without moving the gravel or rock) and ill probably do one tomorrow. It was my fault for not researching more, but so far it looks like its doing ok. I wont add more fish for a while.
edit: forgot to mention the lighting is a compact flourescent 65 watt light.
 
haha yea its a mess, teachers keep giving books and they just keep building up. a lot are my brothers but he just left to college so now i can take a bunch of his stuff out. :) Do you guys think it would be a good idea to add a cool looking piece of driftwood in the back, going diagonally behind the rock or jsut leave it with rocks and plants?
 
:headshake2: for even listening to those fools, try and get an est. filter from a friend or something to help cycle the tank. Get some type of cover in that tank also as its too bare for those neons and like Schiz mentioned they should be kept in larger shoals. The tank is too bright as they like a more densely planted setup with plenty of cover. I would go driftwood and plants not too fond of rocks unless Im doing an african setup.
 
Is it okay to add plants before the cycle is over, and ill try to get an established filter this weekend from a friend. Also should i add the tetras now or wait for the cycle then add them?
 
unless you added biospira or some other source for live bacteria (nitrogen cycle) your tank is prob not cycled.

you are going to have to closely watch the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.

or find someone who would be willing to give you some bacteria(reliable source)
 
ok ill get the bacteria this weekend, and until then ill hold off on adding anything.
 
simpler said:
Is it okay to add plants before the cycle is over, and ill try to get an established filter this weekend from a friend. Also should i add the tetras now or wait for the cycle then add them?
Click to expand...

neon tetras are not very hardy ..in terms of fish for cycling.. I would wait and add them to an established tank.
 
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