New Tank Help?

doppsterjr

Hi. I'm going to start a new planted tank, and I wanted any advise or comments before I made a mistake or anything. I'm new to the fishkeeping hobby. I've had a 2 gallon hex tank for about three months now and I want to upgrade.

So here's my plan:
I am planning on getting a 15g tank, and planting it. I would use sand or fine gravel as a substrate. I would use a filter for a 20g tank. Not sure what kind yet. I'm still saving money. :]
As for stocking this is what I was hoping to get:
-1 or 2 Otocinclus
-2 Gouramis (Honey or Dwarf)
-2 or 3 Guppies
-3 Mollies (1 silver, 1 dalmation, 1 black)

Any other suggestions or ideas? All help and comments are welcome. I wanted fish that would be somewhat colorful.

How many plants are needed to make that cycling easier?

doppsterjr

Sorry for posting this under the wrong section... I thought I was in the aquarium section.

bones14

I would pass on the mollies.I've had more problems with mollies than any other fish as far as ich,velvet, and death.I've seen many other threads on here about sick mollies from others.As for the guppies,they are prolific breeders and can fill a 15g tank quickly unless you get all males.If it were me(and it's not) I would do a group of tetras or cherry barbs with the gourami.just my opinion.Good luck with the new tank.

doppsterjr

Thanks! I was planning on getting all male guppies because I've already gone through having fry. I got a molly that was pregnant. =/

Would Green Tiger Barbs work with the Gouramis, or would they be to aggressive?

bones14

Tiger barbs are very active and need to be in groups of at least 6.They would need more space than a 15g.As they get older they also get more aggressive and nip at other fish.

bones14

A group of rasboras would also work with the gourami.

doppsterjr

Okay. Thank you. :]

JohnnyD44

before we can start picking out some fish, to go into your tank, you should take a look at your tap water, specifically the hardness and pH. Knowing these levels will be able to narrow down the list of fish which are suitable for the water you're going to be supplying to them. Fish appreciate being in comfortable water parameters, it helps to have a long and healthy life.

While most fish are adaptable to a range of parameters, it's always good to know

doppsterjr

The pH of my water is pretty much right at 7. It's slightly lower. As for the hardness... I do believe it's around 60 ppm.

Byron

Those water parameters are perfect for soft slightly acidic water fish, but less so for livebearers so you will have more success with the former. With the gourami, a shoal (group) of rasbora would be perfect. Check out the fish profile for the gourami, you'll see there are issues with the Dwarf Gourami so the Honey Gourami is a better choice. And any of the rasbora make good tankmates. Though a 15g is small space, so be careful what you select. The Sparkling Gourami would do well in a 15g in a small group, and rasbora. There are several species of the latter in the profiles.

For a filter, nothing beats a simple sponge filter in this sort of aquascape; none of the fish I've mentioned tolerate water currents, and with plants you don't need much of any filtration anyway, so a perfect match.

If you're interested, I just set up a 33g tank along the lines of the above, I have Sparkling and Chocolate Gourami, rasbora and dwarf loaches. Sponge filter, minimal water movement, lots of plants (just starting out but they will fill in). Photos are under "Aquariums" below my name on the left, it is the 33g SE Asian Pond tank.

Byron.