General Newbie Questions

[Darkwynd]

Okay, time to troll for some more advice from the gurus.  The basic "concept" for my tank is to build it around a good size school of tetra.  Probably going with black neons; I prefer cardinals, but I understand they are harder to keep and seeing as this is going to be my first aquarium...  

So here is what I'm looking for feedback on:

* My ideas for inhabitants so far are 10 or so black neon tetras and a few kuhli loaches for the bottom.  What is a good pleco or other algae eater to throw in with this community?  Do I need to get one that will stay small?

* I can fit a 36"-48" long tank in the space I'm planning on using.  Any dis-/advantage to deeper (front-to-back) or taller tanks, other than amount of water held?

* What is a good dark substrate to use?  I don't plan on having live plants (I was born with a brown thumb), so planting is not a concern.  I've heard black crushed quartz is good but can be abrasive to bottom dwellers(?).

* Any other thoughts for future additions to this community?  Or alternate suggestions.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, but I'm wanting to get a solid grasp on A) what size tank and B) what I plan on putting in it so I can get started on a "master plan" as it were.

[rrocket2002]

Re: General Newbie Questions

* My ideas for inhabitants so far are 10 or so black neon tetras and a few kuhli loaches for the bottom.  What is a good pleco or other algae eater to throw in with this community?  Do I need to get one that will stay small?
Oto Cats and Bristle Nose

* I can fit a 36"-48" long tank in the space I'm planning on using.  Any dis-/advantage to deeper (front-to-back) or taller tanks, other than amount of water held?
Deeper tanks for more for breeding and taller tanks are a personal preference.  

* What is a good dark substrate to use?  I don't plan on having live plants (I was born with a brown thumb), so planting is not a concern.  I've heard black crushed quartz is good but can be abrasive to bottom dwellers(?).
There are different grades of blasting sand in various colors.

* Any other thoughts for future additions to this community?  Or alternate suggestions.
2-3n different groups of Tetras would look nice.  (Groups of 10)

[CichlidFan]

Re: General Newbie Questions

No way do I qualify as a guru, but I don't mind sharing my opinions.... :)

Go ahead and use the Black Beauty or quartz, whatever is available to you, just be sure to clean it well.  Me personally, if I was going to go with your plan, I would buy ADA soil and use it as my substrate. I know you say you're not interested in plants, but plans and people change over time....for some of us anyway.

After you have all your componets gathered together, and your ready to set your tank up, do so with attention to what the end result will look like....if your going to go with black neons, I'd paint the back of the tank light blue, so they would stand out better.

Get your tank set up in an area that will give you the most pleasure, (if it's the only tank), and perferrably out of direct sunlight.  Set your substrate into place, your decor, add your chemicals and filtration and toss in a couple maybe three rosies from Petsmart/co....and let the tank "cycle" for a few weeks.....during this time, there might be other things come to you that you would like to change or add....

....eventually, after a good cycle period of about 6 weeks or so.....you'll be looking to add your black neons.
Try adding a half dozen at first, if they do fine for a week or two, go back and get yourself a couple dozen if you like. Add a bristlenose pleco for algae control, add a piece of small driftwood for the BN pleco to rasp on....and see how that goes.....Have fun with it
...Good Luck

CF

[PhishPhreek]

Re: General Newbie Questions

IMHO - most if not all of this is subjective, but here's my take

The most popular pleco around houston is the albino brissle nose - they grow to 6".  However with the tiny inhabitants you have you may like O-cats.
Most beginers get the common cheap plecos but they grow to 18" and eventually get traded back to the LFS or tossed in the bayous.(not kool)

Deeper tanks are better for landscaping and growing plants.  If that is not you thing a standare 12" deep tank is fine.  I like taller tanks.  They give more room for your middle fish (mouth in the middle of their face) Tetras, Angels etc.  But if you love CAKs then a short tank is perfect.

Kuhli loaches love to dig so the finer the sand, the better.  I like dark sand as it doesn't show the dirt..... look for Black Beauty

You may want to consider pigmy corries, endlers, and some small killies.  I love the natural setting and at the next fish auction, you will have the opportunity to bid on houston raised plants that do well with little care.  

Get at least a dual bulb light fixture, 4 is better.  The more light you have the better the fish look and it makes it easer to grow plants.   Buy a timer for your lights, avalilble at most local home improvement stores for $10+/-   Too much light will cause the green slime.  

[Zulaab]

Re: General Newbie Questions

36" tank = 58 / 68 / 70g tanks...  
48" tank = 75 / 90g tanks...

Note with both tanks I am using 18" depth, since I believe fish like bottom area no matter what fish.. ie they like foot print area.