30 Gallon Freshwater Aquarium - How to stock?

Question

I am getting a 30 gallon aquarium. I am cycling it first (fishless) and I have an idea of what I want in it. Here is what I was thinking:

- 1 keyhole cichlid ( is it best to keep them in pairs or is one fine? )

- 7 or 8 harlequin rasboras

- 5 peppered corydoras

Like I mentioned it is a 30 gallon long tank. The substrate is most likely going to be Tropic Isle Tahitian Moon Sand (black) and its going to be planted. Any suggestions or advice is welcome.

Answer 1

Hardy" and "Undemanding" are good words to describe Bala Sharks, but it may take a while for them to get comfortable in a new tank, during which care should be taken so they don't jump out. They're among the best-humored fish you can get. Everything seems always fine to them, no matter where you want to set your water parameters or what you want to feed them. More than that, they're totally non-aggressive and very active, spending most of the time searching the entire tank for bits of food. They get pretty BIG though, and only feel secure in groups, so a large tank is recommended (500 L or more). They're the type of fish that concerned aquarists should resist the urge of having until they can actually care for them in the long run. My 3 balas took only a year to outgrow a 100x50 cm tank, they started becoming uncomfortable, often freaking out and hurting themselves on the glass and decoration. Moved to a 150x60 cm tank, they calmed down again and in 3 years had reached about 25 cm, with perfect bodies and huge fins (see photo). Unfortunately I lost the trio in an accident in this tank. Breeding in home aquariums is practically impossible, since in nature the couple will dart off side by side bumping their bodies on each other as the female spreads the eggs and the males fertilize them. I've seen mine rehearse the body-bumping dance, but it doesn't go beyond that...the tank would have to be a good 10 meters long for them to pick up the necessary speed and do it right.

Answer 2

hi and i would love to help you! =]

1) you need 2" of gravel from the bottom, sloping from the back of the tank to the front, so the waste collects at the front.

2) an air line to go into your tank, for Oxygen.

3) you need a filter to hang on the glass, unless it it has and undergravel filter

4) you need ornaments so fish and hide behind them

5) you need real aquatic plants

6) you need water dechlorinator

7) THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS WHEN YOU HAVE DONE THIS, LEAVE YOU TANK RUNING FOR 2 WEEKS FOR THE 'CYCLE OF AMONIA, NITRITE, NITRATE, AND OTHER CHEMICALS TO GO ROUND'

Answer 3

It sound great I would suggest to put in some caves to make the keyhole even more comfortable but other than that your fish will be very happy. Also any fish that is peaceful will benefit in a pair. But that's completely up to you.