Setting up a new tank

[BareFootAviary]

So as stated in my "welcome" thread, I am setting up a new tank. It has been years since I have had my own freshwater tank (had my 90g SW for about 6 years before having to take it apart last year but 7-8 years since my freshwater tanks). I want to set up a 15g planted SA tank, but I want some criticism before I go ahead and do it. Here is what I hope to do:

Fish:
small school of Julii Cories (probably 3?)
3X German Blue Rams
5X Blue Tetras (or Black Phantoms, depending on if the Blues are available at the time)
A few Otocinclus or a smaller Pleco (I was recommended a species that stays under 4")
and 1 Apistogramma (probably an Agassizi)

Plants:
Anubius
Aponogeton
Java Fern
Hornwort
Moneywort
Cryptocoryne
Hemianthus

Filtration will be a biowheel/cascading of larger than recommended size, lighting is still to be determined but will be moderate to high. Substrate will be sand and nutrient-rich fertilizer base.

How does this sound? Anything that sounds bad or raises a red flag? I don't want to start setting up until I get my figures right and decide on if I can get the fish I want for the tank size I want, etc. I don't have a lot of room for anything bigger or I would set up my 30g...but the boyfriend says we don't have room for a stand...(the 15g would be on an existing piece of furniture).

So, fire away!

 

[Newman]

well you should be careful about the peice of furniture, and make sure its leveled and can take all the weight.

Also i think that will be a tad too many fish. the 3 GBR s reaise a red flag emmediately as a pair of those should be housed in a 20 gal minimum. other wise sounds cool. also i can suggest a pitbull pleco if you can get that.

as for the cories i think you should go with a smaller species so that you can have more. 3 is pretty lonely for those guys. i'd say about 7-9 pygmy cories would be good. just make sure if you do like these, that you dont have any big fish in there that will harm them. For a 15 gal you could probably go with 3 otos if you decide to have them as your algae control. If you have hard alkaline water then concider skipping sensitive species like otos and getting some nerite snails. they are way better for alage control than otos as they eat any type of algae available. its all up to you though, and your preferences.

I wish you best of luck with this tank. *PEACE!*

 

[OrangeCones]

If you could get away from the biowheel, you'd do better for the plants. That type of filter will offgas the CO2 they need to thrive.

Another option with a 15gallon tank, you could dose Flourish Excel for a carbon source, but it may get pricey over time.

If you could do a small submersible powerfilter with a sponge prefilter, you could provide both water movement and a biofilter for the tank.

Just my 2cents.

 

[BareFootAviary]

Awesome, thanks for the advice and info! This is exactly why I came here. I will look into everything you both have said.

As for the water, our tap water is very alkaline and is close to 7.8-8.2 pH so I will be using RO.

Also, where can I get Pygmy Cories? I don't have a good source for them here in the "northland." I put in my fish on the program that was talked about on here and I think the tank load was at 107% or something like that. Obviously I should be under 100%, huh? LOL

 

[Doomhed]

one thing to remember is that there are different " zones" within the tank and that some fish really require a school mentality. For example, Corys usually like larger groups. even different species of cory will school together. I usually run 6-7 cory in a 29 gallon, so I would use 4 in your 15 gallon. Also, since you are using live plants with a biowheel you might need to increase the bio-load in the tank to higher than average just to keep the plants happy.

 

[OrangeCones]

Also, since you are using live plants with a biowheel you might need to increase the bio-load in the tank to higher than average just to keep the plants happy.

Could you explain what you mean by this?

 

[brian1973]

As for your stocking I would go with 2 GBR's (m/f) and possibly the tetras ( I dont know the size of the blues so cant recommend anything there). Another member had a 10G planted with neons and cardinal tetras, a pair of GBR's and an oto and he did well, I believe he was using DIY CO2 as well. Look up posts by Alter40 for more info and good luck with your plans.

 

[JRB__]

.......I put in my fish on the program that was talked about on here and I think the tank load was at 107% or something like that. Obviously I should be under 100%, huh? LOL

Remember that 100% is the maximum possible, treat it as an absolute limit not a goal. 85% is a well stocked tank.

 

[brian1973]

The plants will use alot of nutrients produced by the fish waste which the program does not take into account. The program is a guideline not an absolute and if you read the thread on this forum and others, while it is a good tool it is still evolving. You can also help reduce issues by careful feedings that eliminate uneaten food and frequent water changes. Your real issue IMO would be aggression especially if a GBR pair laid eggs, the third GBR and apisto would become the target of aggression.