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can I put into a 20 gal tall? I've recently aquired this and would like to fill it w/tetras but I've been told different things.

Some say that the 1" rule doesn't apply to tetras, and others say it does...So....opinions, advice, etc????

Thanks!

I would say go with 6 of each of the tetras you stated. They dont produce much waste and dont need alot of food in them. Just make sure to do weekly water changes with a good filter installed in the tank. Also, have alot of plants as this will make them feel like they are in the amazon. One important thing to remember is to do what works for you, not always what other people tell you. It will be a nice peaceful tank when its done.
P.s. Keep the ph of the water 6.8-7.0 as they dont like alkaline water.

Last edited by clownloachfan at 28-Sep-2004 14:41

While tetras do prefer acidic water, they won't die if they're in alkaline water. For instance, I have six lemon tetras, and my tap water's pH is around 8.0. You could probably fit twenty tetras in your tank, and even a few more as long as you're keeping up with your maintenence. Slowly work your way up to around six or seven tetras per school, then see how you're doing.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

I agree with the above advice -- except that I would advise that you try to keep your water's pH from getting more alkaline that about 7.5 (some tetras are more sensitive to this than others). Also, I'd definitely buy Cardinals rather than Neons, because store-bought Neons (as I keep telling everyone) are terribly likely nowadays to carry diseases that they've picked up from the fish farms on which they're mass-bred -- especially Neon Tetra Disase, which is an absolute devil to deal with. Cardinals, these days, are much less delicate, and almost always free of Neon Disease.

One other thing -- tetras get along perfectly well with plastic plants; they don't need real ones (which are usually a lot more trouble to keep alive than tropical fish are).

It's funny how ppl keep talking about Neons being more likely to die, carry diseases, etc. I've had my guys/gals? since February and I've not lost any of them! We don't even have the others here on a regular basis...Well, thanks for your input!

Robin

[font color="#008000"]I have a few Neons all around 3-4 years old, and around 4cm (from end to end). [/font]

I've actually had more problems with cardinals than neons.

With good water changes and adequate filtration (Cascade 200, Penguin 200, Aquaclear 300 - I say larger cuz these are crummy filters with a high Pass through rate, or the like would be best), you could easily do 6-8 of each type. I dont think water conditions are necessarily important, all these fish adapt easily to almost any water conditions.
I saw someone said tetras dont need live plants, But I beg to differ. Most tetras prefer to have some live plant matter in their diet. I would suggest easy low light plants such as Wisteria (nibbled on but grows rapidly), Myrophyllium (sp?), Amazon Sword, Anubias, Parrots Feather, and Banana Plants. Moneywort, pennywort, and Hygrophilia of various species are also good additions. The tetras would enjoy a heavily planted tank, with good water flow, and clean water. The addition of driftwood would also be appreciated as to the tannic acid it releases, which I have heard not only lowers ph and softens water, but may have other health benefits for fish, such as improved immune systems and better appetites, as well as spurring on breeding.
You could also do well to add a couple of some type of bottom feeder, such as Cory Cats (you could probably do 4-6 corys), or Yoyo Loaches, or Polka Dot Loaches, or a Fancy Pleco of some kind - I just got both a Bristlenose and a Gold Nugget, and I love both! Keep in mind however that the Vegetarian Diet based Plecos like BN's or Commons, etc, would require a pretty steady addition of algae wafers, where a carnivorous type pleco like a clown pleco, Gold Nugget, Zebra Plecs etc, require a meatier diet, and algae wafers, while not totally rejected would be passed over if given a meatier diet, Nutrafin makes a great Bottom Feeder Tablet, as does Hikari. Look for one that says "For Bottom Feeders and/or Invertebrates" and doesnt list "Spirulina" as the top ingredient. I feed my new plecos a mix of both Meatier food and Veggies.
Good luck with your new tetra tank!


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Okay, I'm cycling my 20 gal now and I've added water and substrate from my 29 gal that's well established so it should be ready for fish rather soon (right?)....Now, here's my stocking plans:

7 Neon Tetras
7 Black Neon Tetras
7 Glo Lite Tetras
5 Albino Corys

Does this sound reasonable? My filter is a Penguin Bio Wheel 170 and I do at least weekly water changes and right now my water is testing at well, just about perfect. Thanks!

Robin

I think you could probably go ahead and start adding fish any time now, slowly of course.
Your numbers seem just fine. You could probably go and add one more cory to give em 6.
Post a pic once you have all the fish in so I can see how they all look together!


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Good advice, I would go with cardinals over neons, as I have neon tetra desease, luckly their in a tank of their own.