New 20gal Tank - Start up tips?

LOL! This is something I didn't know thanks for the info. :) I find them intriguing. My tank is on a sideboard in the kitchen and while I do dishes I watch them, they are something like housecats (am I nuts?) I have two and sometimes I see them rubbing against the smooth pebbles something like a cat does against your leg if ya know what I mean. I'm buying two more cories tomorrow. And maybe another sword for my lone male. My water levels today are 0 for amonia and 0 for nitrites wooohooooo off to th fish store I go :) Thanks.
 
Dont take my word for i tbecause Im a total newbie aswell, but if u see ur platies rubbing against the substrate or plants, it could be early signs of ich. Mabe its nothing but keep an eye out for small white spots on ur fish that look similar to little grains of salt-thats ich. I dont want to scare anyone and dont take action until someone experienced says something-I just dont want u to have to go throough the ich battle
platys and cats are so cute!eh?
 
Lol thanks again. My fish look pretty clean, (but I'll watch) they just flit around the stones kind of playfully and chase the platies just to keep them in line I think. Actually the platies took to the trees for a few hours when I introduced the 2 baby cats, watchin their antics and trying to figure out if they were a threat. The bigger cat even chased them around a bit until the platties (platys?) figured out they were harmless and came out of the plants. I spend too much time in the kitchen I think. ;) I'm aming for a peaceful community tank with alot of characters. If you know of any other interesting types please suggest. thanks.
 
If you have room, buy 2 female red velvet swords and definately DONT leave the male alone. If he is bumped into mating mode, he will go after other fish. One female is required, two is recommended. (disclaimer: this is at least to my knowledge)
 
Hi. Thanks for the tip. My male is kinda young and I wasn't worried, the platy ladies are big enough to handle him. Anyway, introduced him to his lady today and it was love at first sight, well, maybe second or third sight anyhow. I just saw him snuggling beside her and under her and up and around her even though she's a half size bigger than him. But she's more interested in checking out the new digs than him. Women! She's a sunset sword, golden red, real pretty. One of the platy's (only one of them, dunno why) has harrassed her a bit, but that seems to be over now. I fed them to take their mind off her. I also got a nice clown pleco, but I'm worried that my ph might be bit too high, its about 8.2 even from the tap. Should I try to lower the ph? anyone?

Oh ya, I'll be going back for a couple bandit cories next time lol. Too many fish too little money.
 
No doubt... money is a serious lacking here too.... if I had more tho, I'd have more tanks and still be broke... so I guess it doesnt really matter :)

Just out of curiosity, how big is this tank of yours?
 
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