Nearly cycled-thinking ahead about stock

[carolw1224]

Ok- Ammonia finally 0, Nitrite barely visible, Nitrate 5-10. I believe I'm finally almost there! Obviously, will let that nitrite disappear completely before I add, and wait a couple of days to be sure, but I'm starting to think about a trip to the fish store and could use some ideas.

Tank is 29gal regular. Temp is 77-78 degrees. Current inhabitants are:
2 Mickey Mouse platys
2 Neon tuxedo platys

Ph is 8.0- tap is 7.6, but must be CO2 treated, because after a couple of days, raises to 8.0, even outside the tank.

When I first bought my tank, I envisioned a community tank with platys, swordtails and guppies. Maybe some cats and an algae eater. (Coincedentally, that's a carbon copy of the tank my parents had as I was growing up.) Hmmmmm. But now, after reading on this board, I think maybe I can do something more interesting, with some advice. So, I'm asking for suggestions.

I do have a couple of concerns as follows:

My Ph- I don't want to fight with it, so I'm hesitant to try too hard to bring it down. I think it may rule out tetras and some of the other "acidic" water fish.

One of my Mickey Mouse Platys is a bit of a chaser. I've never seen her actually nip, but I would worry about long finned fish that might not be quick enough to get away from her. I love Big Al, though. She's a tough broad like myself. Hee hee......

Now for what I might like:

I think I'd like a school of zebra danios- I like the way they zip around- but is a 29 big enough for them to zip without bashing into things? Are they jumpers? I have that ugly hole around my filter/heater and would hate to lose fish that way. How many should be in a school? I've read everything from three to ten. Thoughts?

My son loves gouramis. I know nothing about gouramis except that you can't keep two male dwarfs together without a fight to the death. Thoughts?

I'm still interested in some bottom dwellers. My son thinks glass cats are pretty cool, I'm partial to corys. Pros and cons? I know these also need to be kept in schools, but how many to a school in my tank? Other suggestions for the lower levels of the tank?

Any other thoughts, advice and suggestions welcome. Sorry for the novel length of this post. If you're still awake, I'd appreciate your input. Thanks!

Carol

 

[twig]

danio are very fast :O ... They are jumpers, too. They are also a schooling fish and less than six should be avoided.

 

[carolw1224]

Since I'm basically starting out, I'm okay with six of almost anything. The jumping thing, though......... not so much. Not only do I have the gap in the back, I do my water changes with a bucket- lid off, lots of room to escape. So perhaps I need to rethink the zebras. I don't like imagining trying to wrestle an adventurous fish away from the family dog. Kids jumping around screaming......... not a pretty thought

Thanks!

 

[karna68]

I never had a problem with zebras jumping out of a 10G.

 

[cindi]

I have in a 20 gallon 5 zebras, 2 platys and 3 corys. Everyones happy. No ones ever jumped out or picked on each other its a great balance. These fish originally cycled my 55, but have now been in the 20 gallon for 4 months.

Why dont you get 6 zebras and 5 cory cats to go with your platys.

By the way zebras are great at zigg zaging through things and dont bump into anything.

And if your not wanting platy fry to take care of theres little to worry about as if you dont remove the mother those zebra danios will keep your population to where its at. (On the other hand if you want the platy fry, just move the mother before she delivers.)

 

[carolw1224]

excellent info! Thanks! If I went with six danios and 5 corys with my current 4 platys, would there be space for one gourami? I'm already on my way to MTS, so I can always tell my kid "next tank". Anyone mixed in a gourami like this? Personality issues I should be concerned about?

And as far as fry, right now, let the fish feast. I may change my mind later, in which case I will set up a delivery/nursery tank.