Checking my best laid plans for a new tank

Squirt

Squirt

So very tasteful
Mar 28, 2005
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Ames, IA
After months of waiting for my poorness to subside, I finally bought a tank, and now wish to begin the lengthy process of populating it with fish. My plan of action is the culmination of research from across the net and area bookstores, but I really want to check with a knowledgeable and experienced source (this forum) before I start because I am prone to oversights and other such dumb mistakes, and I would hate for my fish to suffer for it.

The tank is a 40 gallon hex tank, hopefully housing community fish and plants.

Plan:
-Fill bottom of tank with gravel, soil (Schutz's) and decorations.
-Fill with declorinated water.
-Run filter and heater.
-Place in seeding material (still unsure of where I will get this, maybe LFS will be generous).
-Add ammonia to 5ppm every day until all ammonia and nitrates disappear in 24 hours. (Any test kit recommendations?)
-50% water change to eliminate excess nitrites.
-Add fish to taste.

Questions:
I would like to put 8-10 Harlequin Rasboras, 2 Opaline Gourami, 4-5 Cory cats, and 1-2 Bristle-nose Plecostomus. Would there be aggression or overcrowding problems with this group?

Would Ghost Shrimp stand any chance of surviving with large Gouramis in the tank?

Would an undergravel or bio-wheel filter (or both) be better to support this setup? Any suggestions for an exact model?

I will be fishless cycling, so at what point do I put the plants in?

Would I need to use a separate aerator? I think the plants and filter would be sufficient, but I would hate to be wrong here.

Will a 2 x 55w kit from AHSupply.com be enough/safe for this size aquarium with a reasonable amount of plants? (Wow lighting for plants gets expensive.)

Any kind of Cory cat that would work particularly well? I have trouble telling them apart, so I really don't have a favorite species.

Finally, any brands or products I should use or stay away from?

Thanks for any replies, this site has already provided me with a wealth of knowledge, any additional help is greatly appreciated.
 
The shrimp will hide. I had 2 in my 33g and I only saw them twice in 4 months, and only knew they were still alive when I moved the tank and had to empty it. They might get munched, but they're pretty small and sneaky buggers.
 
I would like to put 8-10 Harlequin Rasboras, 2 Opaline Gourami, 4-5 Cory cats, and 1-2 Bristle-nose Plecostomus. Would there be aggression or overcrowding problems with this group?

Should be fine.

Would Ghost Shrimp stand any chance of surviving with large Gouramis in the tank?

Depends. I've had amanos in with gouramies with no problems, never tried the ghosts. As mentioned, they are pretty good at hiding, so I would give it a try.

Would an undergravel or bio-wheel filter (or both) be better to support this setup? Any suggestions for an exact model?

I wouldn't go with either. The UGF will be a PITA to maintain with plants in there--the roots tend to slow flow, and many rooted plants don't like that much O2 flowing around them, with the bio-wheel causes a lot of agitation, and if you intend to add injected CO2 at anytime, will have to be removed. I'd go with either a canister (fluvals are good), or a simple HOB, like an Aqua Clear 50, with sponges (mechanical filtration) and bio max media (biological to supplement the plants).

I will be fishless cycling, so at what point do I put the plants in?

True fishless cycles--you don't put the plants in until the tank has completely cycled. Adding them sooner can cause serious algae issues. Or, if this will be heavily planted, you can set the tank up, add the plants, let them establish, and then slowly add the stock. Between bacteria and healthy growing plants, you literally have no spikes.

Would I need to use a separate aerator? I think the plants and filter would be sufficient, but I would hate to be wrong here.

No, and if you do add the CO2 injector, you woldn't want a bubbler either. With a low stock and some surface movement, gas exchange will be more than adequate.

Will a 2 x 55w kit from AHSupply.com be enough/safe for this size aquarium with a reasonable amount of plants? (Wow lighting for plants gets expensive.)
Depends on what plants you want. That gives you about 3 watts per gallon, which will work for most plants, especially if this is a breeder tank (not as tall, 3 foot long and ~15 front to back). Some plants will want more light than that. I ran something similar on my 40, and was mostly happy with the results.

Any kind of Cory cat that would work particularly well? I have trouble telling them apart, so I really don't have a favorite species.

Behavior is pretty similar among them. I'd get a color pattern that appeals to you, and call it good.
 
Thanks all for the help. I will take your advice with me when I go shopping. hopefully I will have happy fish to discuss in a month or so.
 
Well after a bit of shopping and reading, I am confused. The relatively inexpensive Aquaclear 50 seems to be a reasonable solution, but the sponges and bio max media are a mystery to me. Are these parts to add to the outside like attachments, or internal filtering pieces inside the Aqua Clear device? Clarification on this point would be appreciated. Thanks again.
 
Sponges and Bio-Max are the media that goes inside the filter. I believe most new setups come with one sponge and one pack of bio-max.
 
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