Hi

[burningice64ta]

Hello, my name is Josh and I am new to the aquarium hobby. I have loved fish all my life and had fish tanks when I was younger. After a lot of research I know this will be a hobby that I do have to put some time into. I have 2 tanks now. The first one was a gift and I've always wanted to have a saltwater tank so I decided to see how well i could run a freshwater first and then give it some time (2 or 3 years).

Here are my tank specs

First tank
29 gallon
- 3 Serpae Tetras
- 3 Lemon Tetras
- 3 Phantom Tetras
- 1 Golden Dojo Loach(He's pretty cool)
- 2 Chinese Algae eaters (Gonna move one to my other tank when I get it going

New tank
30 gallon(i think)
set it up last night with some water from my other tank gonna let it cycle a little bit and wait it out before I get some fish

I really like this forum and it will be a lot of fun

[emc7]

How long has your first tank been set up? Steal a little of the filter media from the old tank and put it new tank's filter just before you start adding fish or "fishless ammonia source" to the new tank.

[burningice64ta]

My first tank has been only set up for about 2 and a half months. But I did read a little on here about whisper filters as that is what I have. That is the type of filter that I have. Someone mentioned something about cutting the filter and placing bio balls or something in whisper filters and I have not done that yet. I'm a little curious about that. Are whisper filters terrible? Can they be better if you do place them bioballs in?

[oliesminis]

dont add fish in too quickly as it has got to cycle, even with water from your other tank.

i dont want to be nasty but all of your tetras species in your 29g tank need to be in groups as they are schooling fish. hope you can get some more soon

-olie

[burningice64ta]

No worries I would like all of the advice I can get because I do like to learn and am really interested in gaining more knowledge and tips. Would groups of 5 be a better school. Also the lemon tetras tend to stay away from the other fish not quite sure why. I also wasnt going to get fish for probably 2 to 4 weeks or maybe longer. But any advice is good I will not take it the wrong way lol.

[Kyoberr]

HI!!! Welcome to Fishforums!

[trashion]

Yes, groups of preferably 6 or more are better. I'd keep one school of tetras in each tank with 8 of each, and return the other three.

I think you'll find that CAEs will get too big and too aggressive for your tanks.

Welcome!

[burningice64ta]

Just curious could I get take back the 3 lemon to the lfs and have 2 groups of 6 of Serpae and Black phantoms in the 29? The reason I ask is they kinda match a little and look very nice together. I have also heard that having odd groups for schools is better is that true?

Thanks

[oliesminis]

if you take the lemon tetras and the caes back you could get away with 2 groups of 6-8 small tetras if they are larger however i wouldnt add so many.

-olie