What should I do next?

[RobertA]

Hello Everyone!

I'm new to these boards and to aquariums in general!

Anyways, I just got my first 20gal freshwater tank and I put some gravel and decorasions, so now I just need to add some plants and obviously some FISH! I think I'll buy them in about 5 days from now. In the meantime does anyoone have any tips or suggestions in what type of fish/plants I should buy? I need them to be resistant and good for a beginner like me, but at the same time nice to look at and fun to take care of.

Here's a picture of what my aquarium looks like:

Post your comments, but remember it's NOT finished!

Thanks in advance!

 

[sublime1184]

well i fyou go twith fake plants, get some silk amazon swords..thorse are sweet and my piranah Loves to eat those up those would look great in there...one large and one meduim...along with some fake hairgrass IMO, that would be the best thing...but of course it depends on the fish you add...

 

[redbucket]

Looks like a nice aquarium! A couple things to make your fishkeeping experience a little less difficult: First, read the newbie forum sticky about cycling. You will probably want to do a fishless cycle, or invest in live bacteria (bio-spira worked for me, only legit product I know of). Second, read up on it (maybe others know more) -- if those are real shells in your tank, you may want to reconsider. I've heard they can begin dissolving and put minerals and the such into your tank that you don't want there.

As for fish and decorations, those are of course subjective and totally up to you. I'd go with a male beta and small school of tropicals, maybe neons. Live amazon swords are suprisingly resiliant and look wonderful, but if you're doing an ocean theme they won't really match.

Good luck and have fun!

edited for glaring typo.

 

[wataugachicken]

it's possible to seal the shells with some kind of water-safe, fish-safe epoxy or maybe a clear silicone caulk, but otherwise they are going to screw up your PH and some other readings, which can make life hard for the fish and lead to bad health, possibly death. your tank is beautiful, and those shells look absolutely incredible, but they may not be fish-safe at this time.

 

[Holly9937]

Make sure you read up on cycling the tank before you add the fish!!!! That will be the most important thing you can do. As for fish, there are lots that would be happy in a 20g tank. I suggest going to the store where you will buy the fish, writing down what you like and coming home and researching. Make sure they are compatible with each other, and will not outgrow your tank! Many LFS workers are well meaning, but don't know anymore about the fish than you do, so I would be leary taking their advice only, as much as it might sound like they know what they're talking about