I need some creative ideas for a 20 gallon tank, please

[Cloud-9]

I posted an advise to someone earlier about which type of fish to get, and now, I myself am itching to set up an empty 20 gallon tank. I am an experienced aquarists. Here's my plan, and please offer up any suggestions:

1) A fairly shallow sand bottom, using river sand. Mix in some brown pebbles, of varying sizes. Some rocks and larger stones.

2) Plants will be very few. Java Moss for sure. A smaller variety of anubia. Maybe some dwarf swords. I don't have CO2 equipment, so the plants will have to undemanding. Water is slightly hard, slightly. Right at neutral ph, slightly higher.

3) I don't like my current lighting system. I may order up one of those aluminum coralife hoods, specifically for freshwater. Nothing too fancy.

4) Hagen Aquaclear. I have a 200 Aquaclear.

5) I also have a spare Visi-Therm, 75 watts.

Fish: My first choice would be Boesmani Rainbows, but I will not be able to find them in my area. How would Kribensis do in this tank, along with a couple of Cory Cats? If I go with this, what do you recommend for a top swimmer?

I would like something besides livebearers or tetras. Any ideas? Hopefully, fish that won't disturb the sand too much.

Thanks

 

[OrionGirl]

The rainbows are out--they need a group and get up to 5-6 inches, too big for a 20. The kribs should work, though I'd go with a bottom dweller that's better at hiding and less of an egg-thief if you want babies. The kribs might not tolerate anyone else in the tank--depends on the pair. A 4-5 cherry barbs might work--assertive but not obnoxious like the most other barbs, and pretty.

 

[Swimfins]

You don't really have much choice on top dweller. African butterfly maybe...watch out for jumping, as mine did

Guppys or black mollies for the top?

I like apistogrammas...or blue rams... sounds nice for your setup.

The double red apistos, are really nice.

 

[LMOUTHBASS]

i know you don't want tetras but what about a small group of hatchet fish? they stay at the top and would off set the kribs nicely cause they're different looking and pretty active at the top - keep your lid on tight though these guys can fly

 

[Samala]

My 20 gallon long is setup the way someone suggested.. with a pair of Kribensis and some cherry barbs. There are a LOT of plants in mine though, and I have fairly soft water and mid 6's pH. Still, neither the Kribs nor the cherry barbs will mind your water. The cherry barbs do get pushed around a bit, and I only have a trio.. any more than that and the tank would be overstocked I think. Alternatively, you could try a trio of Aphyosemion australe, very pretty killifish, should do well in the same environment if you have a good amount of plants.

If you go with Kribs, be sure to get them some small clay plots or saucers, they need hiding spots. And break up the pair when you buy them.. get the male first, and one that is a good size, at least half grown. A few weeks later get the female, and be sure to pick the most colorful female in the tank, that's the dominant fish. You want to pick a female that's kind of small, in the 1-1.5" range. Introduce her to the tank and you have a very strong chance of having a cozy pair (I've used this scheme in my own Kribensis tanks in the past and have had friends do it.. seems to produce a bonded pair 8/10 times.) In fact, the last time I tried this I had the new pair breed in just six days.. and that pair has been producing fry every five weeks for eleven months now! Just be sure to give that female places she can hide.. clay saucers that are just slightly propped up work great because the larger male usually cant get in there.

As a suggestion, try out one of the smaller Vallisneria species for a nice filler plant that will grow fast and help control your algae. They dont need a lot of light or supplementation, and they will LOVE your sand substrate. No major CO2 requirement either. Try V. torta.. its one of the nice, smaller, corkscrew varieties.

>Sarah