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tetrasrcool
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Fingerling
Posts: 37
Kudos: 31
Votes: 1
Registered: 26-Dec-2005
female usa
My first tank is now cycling (20gal tall). Before I found this site, I went to the LFS and asked how I should cycle the tank. He said "Here, take these long fin blue danios-they are cheap" I guess cheap meant disposable. I now know after reading on this site that I should have done a fishless cycle! ]:|]:| Anyway, my 5 danios are still alive and I am doing daily 3 gallon water changes to keep the ammonia from spiking too high. I am having some nitrItes and nitrAtes appearing so it is in the process!
My question is, after the tank completely cycles, I was thinking of these options.

Option #1
5 Long fin blue danios
1 female swordtail or platy
6 Von Rio tetras
4 pygmy cories (corydoras pygmaeus)

Option # 2
5 Long fin blue danios
1 female swordtail or platy
6 Harlequin Rasboras
4 pygmy cories

Well stocked?/under stocked?/over stocked? Work well together or other options? THANKS!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:23Profile PM Edit Report 
sirbooks
 
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Moderator
Sociopath
Posts: 3875
Kudos: 5164
Votes: 932
Registered: 26-Jul-2004
male usa us-virginia
Well, both options certainly are workable. The fish are all compatible with each other, and you don't have anything which will get large at all. The only thing I will suggest is that you drop the platy/swordtail from both setups, and add another pygmy cory or two. I believe that the livebearers are better off with more of their own kind to interact with, but you already have plenty of active swimming fish. The pygmy cories are very gregarious, and would appreciate more buddies. They're great fish, and like to shoal all over the tank. Everything else looks good, the rasboras and flame tetras are pretty much interchangeable here.

It's good to see that you're working hard at easing the cycle- your danios probably appreciate it. Sounds like the end is in sight as far as getting the tank up and going. Good deal.

Hopefully that'll help you out a bit. Welcome to Fish Profiles.



And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:23Profile MSN PM Edit Delete Report 
tetrasrcool
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Fingerling
Posts: 37
Kudos: 31
Votes: 1
Registered: 26-Dec-2005
female usa
Thanks Sirbooks! The reason why the swordtail is in there is because the guy at the LFS said to come back in 10 days if the danios were still alive and it would be time to add a couple more fish. ]:| I got a pair of swordtails but the male died. The female is still hanging in there and SEEMS to be doing well. I really like her orange color (she is all orange-a marigold, I believe) and I would like to try to keep her if she's compatible. Would adding the extra 2 pygmy cories be too much with her in there?
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:23Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
sirbooks
 
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Moderator
Sociopath
Posts: 3875
Kudos: 5164
Votes: 932
Registered: 26-Jul-2004
male usa us-virginia
In that case, I can see why you might want to keep the poor fish. Sure, I think the cories would be fine. Pygmy cories are unobtrusive and won't put out a lot of waste. Great little critters, I saw a bunch at the shop today.



And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:23Profile MSN PM Edit Delete Report 
tetrasrcool
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Fingerling
Posts: 37
Kudos: 31
Votes: 1
Registered: 26-Dec-2005
female usa
Great!! Suggestions on what order/number of fish to introduce with the 5 danios and swordtail already in there? I REALLY appreciate your help. I'm trying to do this right from now on and ignore the guy at the LFS!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:23Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
sirbooks
 
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Sociopath
Posts: 3875
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Votes: 932
Registered: 26-Jul-2004
male usa us-virginia
Well, everything looks pretty good from your stock list. If you're only going to add the two other types of fish, it isn't too important which one goes in the tank next. I think that six each of the small schooling fish and the cories would be fine, and either type can be added first. Just be sure that the tank is done cycling when you pop in the next batch, and give them time to settle before going for the last group of fish.



And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:23Profile MSN PM Edit Delete Report 
tetrasrcool
********
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Fingerling
Posts: 37
Kudos: 31
Votes: 1
Registered: 26-Dec-2005
female usa
Sirbooks--Thanks again and good luck with your new tank (saw your post)!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:23Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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