New Tank - Advice Needed

[Scarlett Echo]

Hello.

I was given an early Christmas present by hubby.
A 29 gallon glass tank (30"x12"x18", I think), with hood and light, a Fluval 205 external canister filter.
It's set up now with the filter and substrate (natural coloured silica stone).

Ok... Deep breath.

Originally I was considering Orandas but I think the tank is too small for their needs.

So, I've been trying to figure out which fish to stock it with eventually and what I've come up with, thanks to ThinkFish are the following:

Rosy, Red-Eye, Bleeding Heart, Buenos Aires and Glowlight Tetras
Golden or Ruby Barbs
Pearl and/or Glowlight Danio
Harlequin Rasbora
Platy
Sparkling Gourami
Glass Bloodfin
and a Clown Plec.

My question is how many can my tank eventually house happily and should I mix so many different kinds of fish or should I narrow it down to, say, just Barbs or just Tetras, etc...

Two other daunting questions (as I need to go about this properly):

1. What kind/size heater do you recommend?

2. What kind of cycling is recommended?

Probably a lot of questions all at once, but I do thank you in advance for your help.

 

[Rbishop]

cycling...

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598

fishless preferred, then a media transfer if possible.

Heaters...5 watt/gallon, preferably split between two heaters.

Skip the goldies..

I would go with a dwarf flame gourami for the center, a group og 6-8 cory for the bottom and some rasboras for the mid/top

 

[hope4peace]

I have heard many times over that vistherm stealth are the best heaters.. I would suggest 150-200 watt.

I always recommend fishless cycling.

The clown pleco will be fine in that size tank, they stay pretty small. but one thing you should know, incase you don't. they eat wood. yes, that is correct, wood. so you must have a piece of real wood in the tank for them. I honestly after watching a clown pleco.. wouldn't get one, they don't move, 3 times at my lfs and the guy was in the SAME EXACT SPOT.. .the lady told me he doesn't move really. There are other small plecos you might like that are a little more active and have less bizarre eating habits.

you could probably get 1 male 2 females of the gouramis to keep the aggression down.

platies are nice, lots of variety. I was looking at getting some red wag, some spotted blue, and some white calico (white to red gradient with black spots) they are beautiful.

the barbs are nice, though somewhat aggressive, and must be kept in a group of at least 4-5. This not only keeps them happy, but the aggression is spread out between the barbs and less on the other fish.

tetras are also schooling fish and should be in a group of 5 or more.

I don't know about the other fish so I cannot comment.

 

[Scarlett Echo]

Thank you for the prompt replies.
It helps a lot to know that there are people out there who want to help and aren't trying to sell you anything.

I think I'm going to take my time and watch some of the fish and get an idea of them before I plan more thoroughly.

First focus on the cycling (hubby did this for me years ago when I had a little 10 gal and then my 20 gal but it's been about 10 years and I've gotten anal over the years. LOL)

 

[irishspy]

I think I'm going to take my time and watch some of the fish and get an idea of them before I plan more thoroughly.

This is the best thing you can do: there's no need to rush. A school of glowlights and a trio of Dwarf Gouramis (1m, 2f) would work nicely in that size tank. I once had that setup myself. Are you planning to have plants? The species you mentioned are happiest with some plants for cover.

 

[Scarlett Echo]

I am planning on plants. What I need to do is find out what my options are around here for live plants when I go to observe the different fish.

I really am attracted to schools of fish, so I like the idea of a trio and a school.

 

[pinkertd]

If your LFS has rummynose tetras, check them out. They are one of the best schooling fish of all the tetras. They are a very peaceful fish, schooling at the bottom level of the tank. Once you get them settled into the tank, their noses (the whole front of their faces really) get bright cherry red. They get along with all other tankmates including bottom dwelling cories. You have to get 6 cories of some type. See what your LFS has. Barbs tend to be very nippy and can get aggressive. And the dwarf gouramis are very nice too!