Hi,

Sorry to start a new thread but I kept changing my mind and wanted to get more advice on this subject. I very much appreciate the advice in the other thread, which is why I have opted to go with tropical fish.

Now, I am ordering some equipment online and was wondering if I have missed anything out:

Non return check valve
Thermometer sticker
25 watt heater (is that correct? Or do I need 50 watt?)
Mini air pump
Dual action internal filter (what is the dual action bit?)
Airline hose and 2 airstones
Replacement filter cartridges

I already have the tank, will be getting gravel, plants (real or fake?) and a bulb (mine is a small 15 watt screw in bulb and can only seem to find strip lights).

What fish do you recommend? Will need pretty small ones, maybe ones that are good together as I am looking to get 2 or 3, preferably 3. Want little cutie ones, maybe some unusual ones, was after kissing gouramis but saw they can get to about 6".

I have a corner tank - height 14", width 17" with depth measured from front to the back corner point 11".

Am also preferably after an omnivore. Can't stomach live creatures.

Also, how much are they generally and where is the best kind of place to get them?

Thank you in advance and sorry for clogging the boards!

You're equipment choice looks fine, ignore things like 'Dual action' on filters, this is just to make them look high-tec.

Most aquariums nowadays use fluorescent lighting, I'd recommend a little gadget called the Arcadia Arc-pod, this uses a single T5 power compact tube and is perfect for smaller aquariums. It simply clamps onto the side of the tank. The 11w size is the one to go for. This should be suitable for growing the less demanding species of live plants, such as Java fern, Cryptocorynes, Cabomba, Java moss, Hygrophila etc. Take a look at http://www.tropica.com

For growing plants a sand substrate is much better than gravel, coarse substrates will inhibit root growth and believe it or not sand is actually easier to keep clean. Kid's playsand from a DIY store would be ideal, this usually costs about £3-4 for a 20lb bag.

As for fish I wouldn't recommend anything that grows larger than 5cm/2", so cichlids and a large majority of catfish such as plecs are out of the question. A lot of species such as Tetras, Rasboras, Danios etc. need to be kept in groups of at least six.

If you want a pair of Gouramis then Honey or Sparkling gouramis would be suitable. You might also want to consider 2-3 Amano shrimp (Caridinia multidentata).

Remember that the tank is fairly small so keep the fish numbers below ten to avoid overstocking. The majority of surface and mid-water dwellers will be fine on a good quality flake food, with occasional feeds with freeze-dried bloodworms or daphnia.

When it comes to buying fish dig out the phonebook and look for a good, independent aquatic stores. Large chain stores seem to have bad reputations for supplying poor quality or diseased specimens. If any store tries to sell you things you don't need (i.e chemicals) then walk straight out.

Assuming you have all of the extras such as dechlorinator, algae scrapers and a test kit then you're good to go!

Finally, take a look at this.

Wow thank you!

I have been scouting the internet and found tiger barbs which are cute and up to 3", smaller in aquaria it says. How about 3 of those? Or would 2 be better?

Not sure I could have a shrimp in there I would be scared of getting it out when cleaning! lol

Sand would look cool actually, do I have to use real plants as it says on this other website that you can use either robust or artificial? Though I think real would look much better.

Can't believe all my items are coming to £30 online when the pet shop was charging around £15 for the pump alone!

With regards to the sand, a 5kg bag is £5.95 online, is that ample? I have no idea with measurements! hehe

Me again. lol

I have found some Tiger Barbs online for £1.75 each.

I have read they need to be kept in 5-6's to prevent them being aggressive. Will my tank be ok for that? It is saying the maximum sizes are 2". Do you think it would be overcrowded?

Once they do become adults, I am considering getting a new tank, it is more for cost and convenience that I am using my current one.

Is it a good idea buying online?

Real plants do look much better There are some fake you can buy that look good but the algae does stick to them and you notice it and you will have to scrub them once in a while as I found! Does not matter that I do a 25% water change a week, my plastic plants just attract algae! Lol

Personally I would stay away from the sticker type of thermometer.. I have had alot of odd readings from them! I bought a submersible digital one off ebay for a couple of quid and it is much more accurate.... sticker was reading 28F and the digital said 25.8!

x

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Ah right, thanks for the tip, I did see one that suckers to the glass in the water for not much more so I will get that.

Just worked out my tank volume, quite shocking really! 44 litres and 11.33 gallons. That won't be enough for 5 Tiger Barbs would it?

Would they fight if I got just 3?

Had my heart set on them but a corner tank won't be suitable for them as they are active.

Any suggestions? I want fish that stand out and I thought Tigers were perfect.

What about neon tetra's? They stand out quite a bit?

I have platys in my tank and they are bright colours, I have loads of green plants, natural colour gravel and my platys are orange and yellow. They stand out really well against the green.

In my new tank, I have a plain dark blue background and will be putting lots of plants in there Will be having neons and platys.

x

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Are they the tiny things? I like them but was scared of mixing them with other fish, especially Tiger Barbs!

What other fish can be put with Neon's then?

I am getting rather fish obsessed at the moment!

I read you have to leave the tank empty for 6 weeks before putting them in, is that right? I don't want to have to wait that long!

Not a very good pic but here's mine




You should get water test kit from the pet shop, I left my tank for 2 weeks and tested it and all the levels were fine. You don't want to add fish before the tank is ok though, as they could just die.

I also have a bulldog/rubbernose plec in my tank, he won't get bigger than 6".

You could have guppies, mollies, platys..

x

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Ah they are nice!

Can't wait to get set up then I can get my pics up!