Tank Size?/Fish Compatibility?

[Gourami85]

Hey Everyone,
I have a few quick questions, I"m thinking of purchasing an Eclipse 12 Gallon Aquarium...I originally had a 30 gallon for quite sometime, but just didnt have the time to clean it, but I missed keeping fish, so thought about getting the 3 gallon Eclipse, thats in no way big enough so I thought the 12 gallon would be sufficiant.
I was thinking of purchasing some Honey Gouramis, Neon Tetras, and some dwarf corys, first off are these three speicies comaptible? I think they are.
I've read tha all three of these species like to live in groups and that the Neons like to be in a group of 10 or more, which I'm sure is right.
I was thinking of getting 3 to 4 Honey Gouramies, 10 Neon Tetras, and 2 Dward Corys, would that be to many fish for my 12 gallon? Any one have any suggestions at how many fish I should have of each? or of any other types of fish that would go well? Also what types of plants would you recommened? I'm new to plant keeping so they would have to be easy plants to keep, lol
I know that was long, but Thanks in advance

~Chris

 

[OrionGirl]

If you can, go with 2 female gouramies and one male. Otherwise, you may have some fighting resulting in death. The honey's are usually okay, but in a smaller system, fewer is better. I'd also only go with 7-8 neons--once more, just to reduce the bioload a bit.

For plants, you'll want to stick with the lower light plants, like anubias, crypts and jave moss and ferns. Some wood or rocks for the plants to grow on, and occassional fertilizing.

How will you cycle the tank?

 

[Gourami85]

I'm not really sure how I was going to cycle the tank, I dont really understand how to do the whole fishless cycling, so I was thinking of buying all the plants for the tank and maybe adding my two dwarf corys....that way the tank can get established, but wont loose any fish if any at all. I would just add the Honeys and Neons a little later.

~Chris

 

[OrionGirl]

If you choose, add all the plants and get them going very well before adding any fish. There are several threads here that outline the fishless cycling process. It's not hard, and doesn't hurt the fish at all.

 

[carpguy]

Planted cycling or fishless both work well and are safer for the fish. The type of tank you want to wind up with can dictate, but planted is much nicer and much more complicated. Just be prepared.

Planted is generally either work or unsuccessful. If you weren't happy cleaning a 30 once a week I'm not sure I'd recommend planted.

Your stock list seems a bit heavy. I'd knock back to 1 male (dwarf, honey, small) gourami and 1 (maybe 2) females; 6-8 neons; 2-3 small cories and your still really kind of full. A 20 would be better.

 

[Gourami85]

Thanks for the responces...I think I"m going to go with the Planted Cycling. I'm still not exactly sure how I"m going to stock the tank..yesterday while I was at the pet store I came across Dwarf Pufferfish, from what I've read on the net, everyone that has them loves them so I"m thinking of getting some....obviously if I got them I wouldnt be able to get all the other fish I planned on getting. I was wondering if any one knew what types of fish these Puffers were compatible with? I've heard they can be a bit agressive.
Thanks again

~Chris

 

[OrionGirl]

I wouldn't keep dwarves with anything that has long fins--which means no gouramies. My pack constantly harrassed my blue gouramies, until I moved the gouramies out. The puffers are with blue tetras, a variety of plecos, UDC, kuhli loaches, rainbows, amano shrimp, and neons. They don't bother the short finned, fast fish, though I have seen them tag the rainbows sometimes. I started with mine in a small tank, and discovered that the tank, even with frequent feedings, could not keep a big population of snails to feed the puffers. I will never have them in a small tank again. The puffers must have snails in their diet to keep their beak from overgrowing.