help meeeeeeeeee!!!

[bpswim90]

Generally for shoaling fish, 6 is good, 10 or more is great. The more the merrier.

Also, there's an edit button under your post, so if you want to add something to your post or fix an error you can just edit instead of having to keep posting.

[nero66]

thanks im a noobie as you know

[JustOneMore20]

After looking at the Scissortail Rasbora's profile, I see they get big for rasboras (about 5 inches). I would choose something else, since these get so big. You could fit 6 in the 20g, I think. I know more is better, but these guys get pretty big.

Harlequin Rasboras are small, and a nice red color, if you can find them. They are usually inexpensive also. You could have a nice school of 10 of them.

For the cories, I think you should get the spotted ones. Most likely, these are False Juliis, or corydoras trilineatus. Are the grayish, with lots of black spots? These guys stay a little smaller than the others (about 2 inches). You want to stick to smaller fish. The emerald, green, peppered, and albino cories get around 3 inches. With limited space, I would stick with the smaller guys.

If you can find them, the smallest cory types are: Salt and Pepper (corydoras habrosus), Pygmy Cories, and Panda Cories. You could have more of these guys, since they stay around 1 inch or so.

[nero66]

i think the ones in the store were tetras.......so who knows ill check them out today cause im getting my tank!!!!!!

[fishn00b]

Originally Posted by nero66

i think the ones in the store were tetras.......so who knows ill check them out today cause im getting my tank!!!!!!

Lol I know that feeling. Congratulations.

[JustOneMore20]

Sometimes scissortail rasboras are called scissortail tetras. There may be some kind of fish that has a scissor like tail though....who knows.

Congrats on getting the tank!

[nero66]

just set up the stand today.

should be up and running in about 3 days.
anybody want to give me any tips please do.

[fishn00b]

One thing that I messed up on when I bought my first tank was that I did not let the heater sit in the water for an hour or so before turning it on. That messed up it's internal thermometer and now when I set it to a certain temperature, it doesn't go to it, but a different one. Not really a problem, you just need to know how to adjust it. Other than that, just make sure you just have your tank working (filter, heater, and lights are working for a day) and then you should be able to start cycling your tank. Good luck.

[nero66]

thanks greatly appreciated

[nero66]

Originally Posted by JustOneMore20

After looking at the Scissortail Rasbora's profile, I see they get big for rasboras (about 5 inches). I would choose something else, since these get so big. You could fit 6 in the 20g, I think. I know more is better, but these guys get pretty big.

Harlequin Rasboras are small, and a nice red color, if you can find them. They are usually inexpensive also. You could have a nice school of 10 of them.

For the cories, I think you should get the spotted ones. Most likely, these are False Juliis, or corydoras trilineatus. Are the grayish, with lots of black spots? These guys stay a little smaller than the others (about 2 inches). You want to stick to smaller fish. The emerald, green, peppered, and albino cories get around 3 inches. With limited space, I would stick with the smaller guys.

If you can find them, the smallest cory types are: Salt and Pepper (corydoras habrosus), Pygmy Cories, and Panda Cories. You could have more of these guys, since they stay around 1 inch or so.

*****on the price tag thing it said it full length was 2in with tail? who's right here, you or the tag

[fishn00b]

Do a google search on your Rasboras. Usually the pet store is wrong. People have had problems with this in the past, and had serious problems with overgrown fish in their small tanks. I would go by whatever profiles you can find online. Do a search and compare a whole bunch and take the answer that appears the most. And usually when they measure fish size they do not include the fins.

[JustOneMore20]

I searched the web and found everything from 2.5 to 6 inches. Most of the sites I looked at said 5 inches. That is for Rasbora trilineata...or the scissortail rasbora.

Well, you said the store had them labelled as scissortail tetras...but they are actually rasboras, cyprinids...not characins like tetras...so do some research on your own.

If they get anywhere close to 3 or 4 inches...I wouldn't put them in a 20g tank. I would look into a smaller type of schooling fish.

[nero66]

those fish looked cool

[toadstoool]

fishnOObs right I started with a 5 gal it wasn't big enough so i got a 10 then a 29 still not big enough so I got a55 then another 55 and still have them all if my wife would let me I would get another 55. You will find space.

[nero66]

what about Black Neon Tetras are they o.k

[JustOneMore20]

Yes black neons would be perfect. They stay pretty small.

[nero66]

great they look cool and arn't as well known as the neon

[nero66]

what kind of fish foods should i get for the tetras, catfish, and gourami? id like to know some good brands to.

[nero66]

i just did some water tests here they are

ammonia
.25
Ph
7.2
tap waters Ph
6.2
is the ammonia suppose to be that low (i put the ammonia in in the morning)

are these good for the fish im going to get?

[JustOneMore20]

I think when you add ammonia directly, you want it to be about 2-3ppm...I think. I'm not so familiar with fishless cycling. I would think that it should be higher than .25. Usually you want to put in enough to give you 2-3ppm. You should add it daily and check the level until you can add the same amount and get a zero reading.

pH looks fine for your fish choice.

I use flakes for my tetras. I use OSI flakes. If you can't find that brand, Tetra is a good brand. I use Wardley sinking shrimp pellets for my cories. Most food brands are pretty good. I have tried alot of different brands and my fish like them all.