20 Gallon Planted Journal (! 56k)

Karackle · 05-29-2008, 12:02 PM

Well, despite the poor health and subsequent passing of my 3 platys, the 20g and it's inhabitants are doing wonderfully. So i think it is time to replace some of my fauna. The question is, who do i add? The current inhabitants are as follows: 3 female bettas, 3 zebra danios, 3 glo light tetras, 3 neon tetras, 1 femlare guppy, 1 clown Pleco. Previous inhabitants included a Dwarf Blue Gourami and the platys, as well as other guppies, male guppies tend not to do as well, i think they get picked on by the female bettas.

I was thinking of getting another female guppy to keep the one i have company (perhaps this isn't necessary?) And either a few more Neons and/or Glolights, OR a trio of cories? Though i hear they do better in larger numbers, but I'm not sure I have room for too many?

Any and all thoughts and input would be greatly appreciated! Other stocking ideas welcome as well!

nyrmel · 05-29-2008, 12:17 PM

I gotta vote for the tiny guys the corys they are just too dang cute, course in a 20 you minght not be able to find them, although when i got my tank I wanted (very specific) NEON TETRAS I am slightly disillusined with them now as 2/3 died within 3 days ( I think I will get Cards now they are said to be sturdyier and have the same way cool strips) I like the look of guppies and am planning on get a couple more males and some Females in time. So I would vote for the little cories and a guppy or 2. But it is your tank I just want to see pics of whatever you get

Karackle · 05-29-2008, 12:46 PM

Thanks for the input! Yeah, I love the little cories, but I'm not sure the ultra-tiny ones would fair too well in the 20g, or at least i'd never see them! I'd love to add a new male guppy, but i think they get picked on my the female bettas because of their long fancy tales reminiscent of male bettas. If there's one that's irresistably gorgeous, or there's only bland females, i might have to try a male guppy one more time. Otherwise i'll grab a second brightly colored female. As for the rest...i'm having trouble deciding. Perhaps some mid-sized cories, but like i said, I've heard they do best in groups of ~6+, but i'm not sure I have "room" (waste output wise) for more than 3? If anyone wants to weigh in on that though, i'd appreciate suggestions!

Other stocking options that I haven't visited would be more than welcome as well! Thanks!

Karackle · 05-29-2008, 10:41 PM

So I finally took pictures of my "mystery plants" I wanted to get some opinions as to what they are, so here goes:

Crypt or Anubias?
Top:

Bottom:

Crypt Balansae? (sp?) Spiralis? Something else?
Top:

Bottom:

What do we think?

Also, I went to my LFS this evening and i decided to go with a few more Neons and a few more Glolights. They're drip-acclimating now : )

nyrmel · 05-29-2008, 11:07 PM

not a clue but pretty pics anyways I still think it is so funny we have the same gravel and tank size and may possibly end up with simular fish though i dont care for betta's and will replace with guppies

have a good night

Karackle · 05-30-2008, 10:04 AM

Thanks! Haha yeah it's quite a coincidence!

Karackle · 06-17-2008, 06:55 PM

Ok, my tank parameters have been nice and stable for over a week now. pH is running at a steady 7.2 (instead of under 6), my GH is stable at about 8, my KH is staying up around 2.5 (on the low side, i know), ammonia 0, nitrIte 0, nitrAte ~15. Aside from losing one of the female Bettas (who had no obvious signs of disease) everyone else is still happy and healthy. I added a trio of Otos at the end of last week to the tank to help rid the slower growing broad leaved plants (the 2 anubias species) of their bits of algae. They're all doing reallly well and they're super active! So that's fun and good. I'm going to leave well enough alone for a little longer I think, and then add some hardscape and do some minor plant rearranging once i've thoroughly scrubbed and soaked the rocks and wood i collected today.....so many projects! But everyone needs hobbies to stay sane I think

RJRofFL · 06-27-2008, 08:09 PM

Quote:

But everyone needs hobbies to stay sane I think

Don't spoil it by going sane now!!!

Tank looks great.

Bob

Karackle · 06-28-2008, 10:57 PM

Hahaha....ok ok I should have said "everyone needs hobbies to TRY and stay sane"

I'm certainly not there!

Thanks for the compliment Bob! I really appreciate that, i've worked hard to make it so, it's always great to get positive feedback!

Karackle · 07-03-2008, 12:56 AM

I rescaped the 20g the other day

I tied some moss to the driftwood and added some e. tennellus, in 2 sizes. I removed the struggling cabomba, moved the wisteria to the right corner, the moss-covered driftwood to the left, moved the small red Crypt Wendtii over with the driftwood so it's still in it's cozy crook, put the larger tennellus to the left of the driftwood, the smaller ones along the bottom (these may get moved to the 5g). Oh and moved the Anubias nana petite from behind the piece that sticks out of the driftwood, to on / in front of it. Here's a bunch of pictures:

Full tank shots: