New to fish, advice on FW setup

IMO sharp edges can be a hazard.
You may have come across this pc of advice b4, but it is always good to think about having fish who like to hang out in each level of the tank. Some who tend to stay at the surface, some in the middle, some at the bottom. It does make a community tank look a lot better IMO and seems to function well for the fish too.
I love cory's, I would think that 3 could live in a 20 gallon, if there were fewer other fish than you list mentioned. Other oppinions/experience might be different. I have never kept the dwarf cory's but i hear that they swim throughout the tank more than the non dwarf cory' who for me have always stuck nicely to the floor.
I am glad you are going with live plants. You should have many easy care plants from which to choose. A snail is always nice to have in a comunity tank. IMO.
here are a few websites that I think are good for profiles.
badmanstropicalfish.com , fishprofiles.com plantgeek.net
Did you mention a test kit? I recommend Aquarium Pharecueticals brand. The only dip strip types i have used are jungle brand and i find them next to worthless. I have heard the same about the other strip type tests.
I would also put in a plug for fishless cycling. I have found that cycling with fish was rather nerve wracking, and frankly never had much sucess /luck with it. I actually enjoy the fishless cycling. The hardest part has been finding pure ammonia. other ammonia sources can be used, but its nice to use ammonia because you can better control the ammount.
looking forward to hearing how this progresses for you ~Z
 
Bought a piece of driftwood, a test kit (API), and dechlorinator. I put tap water in a bucket and tested it. The pH is 7.8, and oddly, nitrates were at 5. I don't know how that can be unless I contaminated the test somehow. I dechlorinated the bucket of water (about 2G, maybe a hair more). Sine the bucket is small and the dechlorinator starts at 10G for a scale, I measured for 10G and added about half. The driftwood is soaking in it as best as I can fit it. Probabyl spin it around occasionally. Also went to get some shale, but the nursery doens't sell any. Might see if a Home Depot or something has some, otherwise I need to go to a rock place in town.
 
TETRAS: one or two schools of 6-8, no decision on specifics yet
Cardinal, Silver Tip, Green Fire, Royal Black Emperor, Head & Tail Light, Black Skirt, Penguin, Black Phantom, Diamond Head, Red Minor Serpae, Neon
HARLEQUIN RASBORA: Maybe 1 school of 8, possibly 10
Sparkling, Neon Blue Dwarf, Honey Dwarf, Opaline, Powder Blue Dwarf, Blue, Gold, Licorice
CICHLIDS: One? Two?
German Blue Ram, Bolivian Ram, Appistogramma, Double Full Red Cockatoo, Orange Cockatoo, Black Stripe Dwarf, Panda Dwarf, Double Full Red Agassizi, German Golden Ram, Red Peacock
Corys: I'm thinking 1-2

Just edited the list. I'm thinking I'll wind up with a list of options and pick what's available at the store from the list. Also noticed that Petco suggests a 10G+ for a Pleco. Something tells me that's a bit inaccurate.
 
Necigrad: all of the fish you plan to keep are acid-loving and blackwater species. You would be doing them a big favor if you don't soak the driftwood.

Now as far as rock goes, find a landscaping supply company in the area. Don't ever waste your money paying LFS prices for rock.
 
I'm gonna need to soften my water or something I think. It's 7.8 out of the tap. All the fish I'm looking at were chosen because of water temperature. The tank will likely be at 80-81* all summer long. Assuming the lights don't heat it up more. If the water is too hard for those fish I'll have to adjust the water. The driftwood is out of the water now, but it's been soaking for a full day and a half. Oh well.
 
necigrad said:
I'm gonna need to soften my water or something I think. It's 7.8 out of the tap. All the fish I'm looking at were chosen because of water temperature. The tank will likely be at 80-81* all summer long. Assuming the lights don't heat it up more. If the water is too hard for those fish I'll have to adjust the water. The driftwood is out of the water now, but it's been soaking for a full day and a half. Oh well.
Click to expand...

Your pH is not as important for keeping fish, Most fish that you can buy can probably live under most water conditions. The key is keeping you pH stable, I would avoid altering your pH. The fish will adapt. Now I've heard that when it comes to breeding your fish that's when the pH should be in a specific range. Driftwood will also lower your pH. The driftwood is up to you, some driftwoods will not leach tannins into your tank at all, some will depends on how the wood has been prepared. Just so you know if your driftwood does leach tannins it will not hurt your fish, it's merely a persons preference regarding clear water or yellowish/brownish blackwater look. You can soak the wood in a seperate container changing water every day for a week, you will know withing a couple days if your wood is going to leeach tannins or not.
 
It did leach a bit, more the first day, but it was still going. I dont' mind it leaching in the tank so long as it doens't hurt anything, which has been said that it doesnt.

Went to PetSmart and wrote down ALL of the Tetras, Rasboras, Corys, and Chiclids they had. My idea is that what's stocked is what I've got to work with. These is a non chain LFS in town that I've been too, but it was all kids workign there. They may well know enough, but for now I'm gonna go with PetSmart. It's also like 5 times further to the other LFS. From the list I have I've eliminted several that I've read will be too big or are too agressive. I still need some help on 8

Tetras: Blue and Long Fin Red Minor
Cory: Sportea
Chiclids: Ice Blue Zebra, Red Finned Borleyi, Red Finned Albino Zebra, Snow White Socofoli, Turquoise Severum

Once I have those identified, I think I want to present each list to identify any problems that I've missed. The Tetra list is not short (probably 20 or so) and all will probably be fine, but I figure it's best to check. Once I get the tank cycled, my plan is probably 1 school of Tetras, , one or two corys, one school of Rasboras, and then one or two chiclids. I think getting then in that order, one group a week, maybe two, would be good. I might need to spread that out more though. I'm probably getting a bit ahead of myself, but I'm off work right now, and would like to not have to worry about figuring this all out when I go back to work in a week and a half.
 
No cichlids. At least not the ones you mentioned here - for they are mostly Africans which will require their own tank and are extremely aggressive. Stick with the "regular" tropicals until you're ready to take the time and make the investment in an African cichlid tank of its own design and function.

The blackwater effect is actually desirable to some of us who like to biotope. I find it aesthetically pleasing in certain types of tanks, but not in others. To me it all depends on the inhabitants of the tank.

Your tapwater is fine at 7.8. As has been said, most tropical fish will do fine in any pH within reason. And steady is a good thing.

However I do feel that can be a bit simplistic. Truth is that fish are far more amazing to watch, live far more healthy lives, and are just plain happier in water chemistry that is closest to their species' native waters. So if your driftwood is lowering your pH a little consider it a good thing. The majority of commonly kept aquarium fish who don't prefer neutral and below pH are livebearers and african cichlids.
 
I agree with what the last to pple have said. re ph. don't mess with it for now, the driftwood effect should be a bonus. I dont Think the ph will drop enough to make water changes a concern, just keep an eye on it.
Also, It sounds like a lot of fish for 24 gallons, but I am not the best judge of that, might want to remind pple the size of your tank again when you post a more final list.
I reccomend that you keep at Least 3 corys, preferably 5 if you can fit them. They are Much more interesting and enjoyable; they truly seem "happier" in groups.
You say you will cycle the tank b4 adding fish. If you develop large enough clonies of bacteria ( like, using the ammonia levels sited in the cycling sticky)
You should be able to accomodate all your fish at once,bioload-wise.
In fact there is a risk of starving off some bacteria if you fully cycle it, then add a small amount of fish . then when you add more fish you may see rising ammonia and/or nitrites.
As far as territoriality, or other "social" reasons that effect the timing of adding fish, I don't see any problems with the fish you have listed ( eliminating the ciclids)
So, I would suggest that you plan to add the fish pretty much all at the same time. If I am missing something there, I am sure someone will correct me.
happy researching :) ~Z
 
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