Which fish to choose to help kickstart freshwater cycling phase

[tigerbarb88]

im leaning for some ghost shrimp to help clean the bottom, maybe a snail or 2 and some tetras i just want it to look nice, i.e. eye catching fish.. the tank is in my room with a very stable stand.

 

[Kuhlifan]

Something small and colorful for a mid-tank, such as tetras, guppies, platys or maybe a betta or dwarf gourami would be good. For your cleanup crew, you could get a group of something like a cory cat.

If you're still looking at a planted tank, a good option might be a small school of some sort of cory cat, like a peppered or panda. Around five or six. Then one fish, like a betta or dwarf gourami for mid level. If you eventually have a problem with algae, you'd still have room for a couple of ottos or some snails.

Or, if you get a school of something small, you could have a small group of small tetras or rasboras with something to clean the substrate, such as shrimp or maybe even a small school of four or five cory cats. You'll need to plan it out though, two small schools may be too much for a 10 gallon.

Corys though would make a fun bottom level fish for you. They're pretty active and have a lot of personality.

 

[colinsk]

I have a school of 12 Boraras Brigittae in my 10 gallon and that don't weigh as much as a Platy. They also eat like birds. You have to grind the flake for them and they will eat a couple of micro pieces each feeding. I also have 5 Pygmy Cories, 5 Amano Shrimp and 2 Zebra Nerites. Everyone gets along fine. I have considered adding a couple more nana-fish of some sort but I have not found the right ones yet.

I have tons of plants in a soil substrate with 26 watts of CFL.

Here is a blury picture, sorry, running to work...

 

[tigerbarb88]

Something small and colorful for a mid-tank, such as tetras, guppies, platys or maybe a betta or dwarf gourami would be good. For your cleanup crew, you could get a group of something like a cory cat.

If you're still looking at a planted tank, a good option might be a small school of some sort of cory cat, like a peppered or panda. Around five or six. Then one fish, like a betta or dwarf gourami for mid level. If you eventually have a problem with algae, you'd still have room for a couple of ottos or some snails.

Or, if you get a school of something small, you could have a small group of small tetras or rasboras with something to clean the substrate, such as shrimp or maybe even a small school of four or five cory cats. You'll need to plan it out though, two small schools may be too much for a 10 gallon.

Corys though would make a fun bottom level fish for you. They're pretty active and have a lot of personality.

Awesome, thanks man i will definately be keeping this in mind.

I have a school of 12 Boraras Brigittae in my 10 gallon and that don't weigh as much as a Platy. They also eat like birds. You have to grind the flake for them and they will eat a couple of micro pieces each feeding. I also have 5 Pygmy Cories, 5 Amano Shrimp and 2 Zebra Nerites. Everyone gets along fine. I have considered adding a couple more nana-fish of some sort but I have not found the right ones yet.

I have tons of plants in a soil substrate with 26 watts of CFL.

Here is a blury picture, sorry, running to work...

Nice set up.. what kind of lights would you suggest for my tank? I need tubular ones, and my hood can hold 2 of them. This would be for a planted tank, obviously.

 

[colinsk]

I am not a light expert. I just happened to figure out how to modify my hood to get some CFLs in there for less than $20. There is no reflecto so I am likely running under 2 watts per gallon. I would like to paint the inside of the hood white but I have not gotten around to it. 2 Watts per gallon seems like a good compromise if you are not going to run CO2.

 

[Wisegy84]

If you really don't want to do a fishless cycle then you might try using Dr. Tim's One and Only Nitrifying Bacteria when you add your fish.

You can find my log from when I used it here: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183858

Hope this helps.

 

[tigerbarb88]

^^Very interesting.. thanks

how much was it? id like to get my tank planted and get the fish in already..

 

[Wisegy84]

If you can't find it somewhere locally then you'll end up paying for shipping. I paid a total of $50 to buy two 2oz bottles and have them shipped FedEx 2-day. Ordered from Dr.'s Foster and Smith. They come in an insulated box and once I got them they went into the fridge. Used one bottle a couple days later, and the second bottle a few weeks later (although I also used seeded media at the same time), but no problems to report.

Like I said, though, you can pay less if you can find it locally. Or shipping might be less if you live closer to Wisconsin (because I think that is where Foster and Smith ship from).

If you go this route make sure to still do frequent water tests with a good liquid test kit (at least until the tank is established) and be prepared to do water changes if necessary.

Feel free to ask me any questions about the process of using the bacteria, I'm happy to help.

Good luck!

EDIT: Just noticed you live in AZ, so shipping would be similar to what I paid. Again, unless someone local to you carries it.

 

[cellodaisy]

i has limited monies Lol

I feel your pain (don't we all), but you'll save yourself a lot of grief by being patient and waiting until you can get the right equipment. Cheaping out is a great way to waste your monies, and we don't want that! You know how it is... If you need to spend $100 and you spend $120, you've lost $20. If you need to spend $100 and you spend $80, you've lost $80.

I have a school of 12 Boraras Brigittae in my 10 gallon and that don't weigh as much as a Platy. They also eat like birds.

?!

 

[deeleywoman]

i feel your pain, too, as i'm still in the middle of my fishless cycle, and this is my first tank as well. i've been waiting for a month, and some days i think i'm gonna die if i don't get some fish in there!! >_< but the time the cycle has forced me to take has really been a good thing, because it's given me time to solidify my plans for the tank. i've been able to change my plants, my substrate, and rearrange my decorations the way i want them, all without disturbing or upsetting any already-stressed-out fishies. the best part, though, is that i've had time to definitively decide what i want to stock. my final stocking list is just about nothing like what i originally thought i would have, because i've had time to think and research and get advice on the combination of species plus the limitations and abilities of my tank. i've also had time to shop around my local stores and see who has what and whose fish look healthier, and which fish i'll likely be buying from somebody here on the forums. it really is best- for you and for the health and happiness of your fish- to wait. i promise.

also, the API master freshwater liquid test kit is $27.99 at petsmart with a petsmart rewards card. it's $32 at petco.