[LongTimeAquarist]

I have my old 10gal tank up and cycling, and I've just ordered some live plants for it. My plan was to buy the plants first and buy the fish a month later. One thing that has been bothering me is can plants last that long w/o fish, because the plants would help soften the water enough to where it becomes neutral and perfect for the fish I want to order. Could somebody help me with this issue? Because it's bugging the hell out of me and it would be nice to come to a decision to fill the cart or leave it empty

 

[sandybottom]

People out there keep plant only tanks. So no problem with your original plan.

 

[LongTimeAquarist]

Nice to know. Would give the plants to grow some, while it gives me a chance to think what fish to add, basically what fish to add to which level. Here is what I'm thinking:

1x Sparkling Gourami
6x Neon Tetras
3x Amano Shrimp

Right now it is subject to change.

 

[tankman12]

I would personally do a nice group of sparkling gouramis. Cuz the colors breeding males r amazing. I would say 2 males and like 3-4 females. I would forget about the neons. But just a thought.
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[LongTimeAquarist]

The last thing I want to do is start breeding fish.

 

[tankman12]

They will probably not breed. But the colors the males get when they do little fights r nice. also when they show off 2 females is cool.
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[LongTimeAquarist]

Males also get territorial, something that they have in common with other gouramis.

 

[tankman12]

Not the sparklings, they r the most peaceful gourami, and actually prefer 2 be in groups.
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[LongTimeAquarist]

Unless it's breeding time, then watch out.

 

[lilnaugrim]

Actually even if they are breeding, they won't kill other fish, maybe nip and chase a bit here and there but they certainly won't do much damage! They are one of the more peaceful gouramis, actually most small gouramis under the Dwarf Gourami are all very peaceful and can live without issues with each other. I personally have a group of five in my 29 (although I want to bump it to 6 to get another male) and they are the cutest things ever to watch! They don't harm my of my other microfish and the other fish don't bother them much either! I definitely say it's worth it to have at least two males to four females or you can just do a group of three; 1 male to 2 females if you want.

 

[LongTimeAquarist]

Yeah, will time to be the barer of bad news, the fish I have in my 10g tank aren't any of the ones on the list. Right now I have a male betta, a female rainbow platy and four harlequin rasboras. I did order three Albino Aeneus Corys and three Amano Shrimp to help fill out the bottom and keep any algae I have in it under control.