First Attempt at a "True" Tank

texasguy

texasguy

AC Members
May 13, 2009
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Well I'm new to these forums and I was hoping i could get some help from experienced fish keepers. I have had horrible fish tanks in the past. They never got cleaned, there was almost no cover, etc. Anyways I was hoping to start a Planted Tank of about 40 - 50 gallons. (I'm not sure and the tank is not available to me right now). Anyways I've been reading online about how to get started. I want to use an aquatic fertilizer with a layer of sand on top as substrate. Plantwise I want some sort of carpeting plant, along with a mix of beginner plants ranging in size from small to large. For fish and other animals I was planning on having Cardinal, Neon, and Black Neon Tetras (Schools of about 6). I also planned on getting some cleaning animals (I was thinking red cherry shrimp). I have the hood, lights, filter and heater that came with the tank (from Wal-Mart and I don't have access to those either). I was hoping to use some driftwood so if someone could help me with how to do that. Any help or suggestions is appreciated. Thanks :D:D:D
 
Dwarf hairgrass or aquatic clover would be good 'carpet plants' from what I've heard. This is the place to get help! It's kinda like Ace hardware, but for fish! (ya know, "ace is the place") You'll want to look up 'fishless cycling' and 'nitrogen cycle' in this site's search. Java fern, java moss, anacharis, vals, sags, pennywort, marimo, and anubias are all pretty good 'begginer' plants. I'm not sure of the long name for vals or sags. Cards, neons, and black neons will look cool together. May I suggest black or dark blue sand? The fish will look good against it, and the RCS will darken up better with a dark substrate. As far as driftwood, best bet is to find driftwood for sale at your LFS (local fish store). BTW, 18 small tetras plus shrimp in a 50 gal will almost dissapear. It is better to be understocked, but you might consider some larger 'centerpiece fish'. I am only suggesting that because when I started my 50, I had neons, glolites, ghost shrimp, and 'upside down catfish' (x2) the cats would always hide, and people would be like, 'where are the fish?'
 
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sounds like your on the road to a nice looking tank. in my 20 long planted i just have hygro and swordplants growing in sand with 24 watt lighting and they grow great, somehow. what kind of lighting do you have. people on this site sell lots of great plants in the classifieds, thats where i got mine and i got a great deal. you might want to get more of each tetra for more of a schooling effect. i agree with the dark sand idea
 
You want to get only low light plants. Your Wall Mart light will be low wattage. Some good examples would be dwarf Sag or Hairgrass for the groundcover, assorted crypts for the midground area, maybe a sword or two, though I'm not sure you will have enough lighting) Vals and anubias barteri for the background. www.plantgeek.net has lists of common aquarium plants. Look under the low light category for some more ideas.
Many fish stores sell aquarium safe driftwood or you may be able to gather some suitable pieces locally. San Diego should have lots of Manzanita in the wild areas. Check with AC before putting a piece of wood you find in your tank. Needs to be soaked and preferably boiled before using.
Good idea to do some research and ask questions on specific topics before diving in. Welcome to AC!
 
I like the darker colored sand idea. Also I'm just guessing on the 50 gallons I'm not sure, I haven't seen the tank for like a year. Also what kind of "centerpiece" fish would you recommend? Most of those plants I have already seen amongst the many websites I have been looking at. I do not know where I will be living when I set this tank up so I don't really have an LFS in mind.
 
a pair or three (two female, one male) pearl gourami, or
congo tetras (One of the schools), or
dwarf gourami (a single would be fine. More than one might fight), or
there are alot of other options... avoid angels if you get neons, because angels will probably eat neons.
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't gouramis uproot plants? I'm not sure. Also i just realized that I don't have anything on the back of my tank. Do I need something on there? I don't really like the fake image stick on. Is there anything else I can do?
 
many are painted or just clear. It doesn't matter - a matter of preference. My pearl gourami don't uproot plants. I don't know for sure about the dwarves.
 
I like the Congo Tetra idea. But they don't seem to be very common and they are a bit pricey.
 
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