What would you stock in here?

luvsgiraffes

AC Members
Feb 5, 2009
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So I am completely a newbie at fish (well I had the typical mistreat goldfish (feeders) and beta when I was a child, but now I am upgrading to buying a tank and filter (ah it seems so daunting) Sorry this turned out kind of long.

but anyways, before I go out and buy impulsively I was just curious what others would do.

I plan on buying a 5 or 6 gallon (if I can find it I am positive up to an 8 gallon) will fit on the shelf that I plan to put it on. I may be able to get a 10 gallon on there but I am worried about weight. It is a sturdy looking bookshelf that is pretty square so maybe 2.5-3 ft tall and about 2 ft wide.

I really like the idea of having a school of fish in my tank.
So I guess I'll plan on stocking a 5 gallon and if I go bigger I can add more.

So I was thinking about 5 of:
barbs, rasboras or I really like Microdevario nanus
(it was off of the nano fish list that is posted somewhere on the site) But I couldn't really find a lot of info on them so if anyone has links I'd love to see them!)
I do think tetra fish are neat but I have been reading that they need a 10 gallon to swim freely in.

So my inital plan is 5 of one of those types (depending on what I find at the store) and after they've settled maybe a few shrimp. Would adding a cory or 2 be too much?

Thanks!
So what would you do? :dance:
 
cories like to be in groups so probably not in that tank. go as big as you possibly can when getting a tank, but remember that 1 gallon of water weighs 8 pounds, not to mention rocks and gravel...

Welcome to AC :D
 
oh, also, forgot to ask.
would it be better to stick with all of one type of fish for the school or can you mix... like 3 cherry barbs and 3 golden barbs

or two types of rasboras?

Thanks!
 
thanks! I ended up with the 6 gallon. I could not find a 10 gallon that was not glass and I really prefer acrylic as I'm worried about the weight already.
The lady at the store was very helpful. So I will set up my tank to cycle tonight.
 
Cool!
I now have 5 glo-light tetras and 3 ghost shrimp. They all seem to be doing really well.

But I was wondering what would be the best Temperature to keep the tank at?

The guy at the store said around 75 for the fish, but the shrimp seemed to hang out in the corner farthest away from the heater and not really move at all. I turned the temp down to about 73 and the shrimp seem to be moving around a little more.
 
73 is a bit cool for tetras. I would take it back to 75 at least. I keep mine at 78 degrees. The ghost shrimp should do fine in warmer water.
 
If it were my tank, I would look into setting up a breeding tank for Celestial Pearl Danios; to give back to the hobby while enjoying their teeny tiny beauty.

You could also do a pair of Peacock Gudgeons. :)
 
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