Hi, I wanted to start by saying thanks for all the great info for newbies! I have really enjoyed the research here. I would greatly appreciate some stocking suggestions or guidance from experts much more experienced than me. From reading other post I think I have a decent handle on info you will need. My current setup: 29 gallon 30L X 12W X 18T Cycle completed with 6 Zebra Danios (borrowed) Ammonia: 0 Nitrites: 0 Nitrates: 10-20 Temp: 76 Ph: 8.2 (tested tap and tank) Hardness: 18 I think! API test kit kind of confuses me Tank has driftwood and artificial plants with 1inch fine/smooth sand substrate. I am on well water that I KNOW is considered hard! I have also researched several water chemistry areas and made some decisions on that that I feel will affect stocking. 1. I do not want to attempt water chemistry changes 2. I do not want to use/mix RO water 3. I very much want Corydoras 4. I am NOT a fan of livebearers 5. I think my tank is too small for the more brilliantly colored cichlids to be kept in proper numbers I feel that my water, tank size, and dislike of livebearers are going to really hamstring me! I love personality of Cory’s and want bright colors for the mid and upper levels. Sorry this post is so long but I figure with advice more knowledge will save the experts time. Thank you in advance for your help! James
I would suggest giving a pair of kribensis a shot..water not sublime, but okay I say. Few drops blackwater, nice driftwood, java moss and corkscrew vals, a cave..some rock..
I would suggest giving a pair of kribensis a shot..water not sublime, but okay I say. Few drops blackwater, nice driftwood, java moss and corkscrew vals, a cave..some rock..
Thanks for the great info Capt.! I found some driftwood with awesome shapes and made some caves with river rocks and aquarium silicone. I plan to upgrade my lighting to a more plant friendly setup when the tax money comes back. The cheap LEDS don't even really bring out any color on the fish! I read up a little on the Kribensis. They really don't have the color "Pop" I was hoping for. Any other ideas?
My pH is 8.4 with a GH/KH of 14-16, so I also have very hard water. I keep neon tetras, however, which are "softwater fish". As long as you acclimate and don't try keeping a fish that prefers harder water than you have in your tank, you should be fine. Just try to buy locally. ;-)
What makes fish prefer different pH values is the amount of minerals in the water. Soft water has less minerals than hard water. When you take a fish that likes a pH of 7.0 and put it in a pH of 8.2, it simply takes the minerals it needs from the water and there are extras that stay in the water. When you take a fish from harder water, say 8.2 pH, and put it in 7.0, there aren't enough minerals to keep it happy and healthy. I hope that makes sense.
I wouldn't worry about your water unless you buy online, then you need to acclimate VERY slowly.
So I was thinking about the following for my livestock and I would be grateful to you guys for any guidance or addition info.
8 Three Lined Corys
10 Celestial Pearl Danios
8 Long Fined White Cloud Minnows
I like all of these and while they are not exactly in my parameters, they should do a lot better than Rummy nosed...Especially if I get tank raised! Also my two lfs SUCK so I will buy online and acclimate very slowly.
I did read they were cold water fish but many website seem to think they do well with constant water at 74 and up to 80 for short periods. I bought a good heater with 1/2 degree adjustments. I was thinking I could keep my tank 73-74.
I agree with Flint about white cloud..look at blood fin tetras. Red Jewel cichlids are a very interesting, pretty fish..but not very tolerant of much else living with them. A. Borelli may be possible. Did you say you don't like angelfish?
Are you familiar with the Julidchromis species of Tanganyika. Most stay small very pretty.With your water chemistry my first thought was livebearers but I love them and apparently you don't. Have you given any thought to a brackish setup? I have the same water chemistry you do and I won't mess with it either. Celebes Rainbows are another pretty ,peaceful fish that will do fine in your water.Good Luck
Thanks for the new Ideas! You did talk me out of Wht. Clouds. I will look into the dwarf cichilds but I'm concerned about putting them with corys and about my small tank size. I do like tetras but wouldn't my PH mess them up? Looks like i'm back to researching but that can be the most fun right?!?;-)
Honestly, there is only one way to find out. If local shops carry them, they will have a similar water chemistry to you therefor, if they look fine in the shop, in theory, they should be okay in your tank.
I think that Gouramis of all sorts are wonderful, beautiful bright colors if you get the right selection. I know that they are somewhat aggressive, so I don't know if they would work with your fish, because I don't know the temperament of those fish. But I do know that they are very beautiful! I've been looking into getting the Samurai Gourami, very interesting and beautiful fish!
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Tropical Fish Keeping
597.8K posts
83.7K members
Since 2006
forum community dedicated to tropical fish owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about species,breeding, health, behavior, aquariums, adopting, care, classifieds, and more! Open to fish, plants and reptiles living in freshwater or saltwater environments.