Is this a good set up for a 30 gallon???

Question

I was thinking this for a 30 gallon tank.

3 to 5 turquoise danios 2" each
1 or 2 guppies 2 - 2 1/2" each
1 Mickey mouse platy 2" each
5 to 15 tetras 2 - 3" each
2 to 5 glass catfish 6" or less each
1 to 3 african drawf frogs 1 1/2" each

and acouple of live & fake plants with gravel at the bottom, some rocks and small plant pots for hiding.

What else (if it's not over crowded) can I add???
What are some good slow growing plants (Java Fern) to add???

Answer 1

I think you can add the plants yes, but I think the stocking is a little high. Danio's are a go, guppies are as well, but conditional, will explain after. Good pick on the Platty, thats a nice color. Tetras, make them like 6-8, Glass cat, just get 1, and the dwarf frogs, I don't know but you'll probably be better without them then with.

On the guppies, there are two things. One is that if you get them, get two males. Many females are already born pregnant or maybe pregnant and aren't showing yet. If they start spawning, you're going to have fry comming all the time. If you have a plan for caring for them, they go for it. It's a good possibility you could just let them stay and get eaten, but if some survive, then you'll face another round of spawning before the end of the year and be back in the same boat. If you want to just not deal with the issue, get two males and you don't have to address that at all. Also, with tetra's they can get nippy and those guppies might get targeted so you'll have to keep an eye on them. Nice choices you have, and you can add the plants. Java fern and java moss are most of the time sound choices as I am sure there are plenty of others.

JV

Answer 2

That seems like it will be too many fish for 30 gallon tank to hold. I recommend you look at the different fish groups you have there. Do you wan tot keep live bearers or do you want Tetras? If I were you I would get one or the other. You could mix your Danios with the live bearers or get a shoal of a couple different Tetras. The Glass Catfish like to live in shoals also, so you would need 5 or more of them to make them feel more secure. If you wanted them then you could get the Glass Catfish and some Guppies. Here are possible combinations for you...

5 or 6 Danios plus some Guppies and Platys.
5 Glass Catfish and some Guppies or Platys.
A shoal of 14 to 16 Tetras and some Guppies or Platys.

I don't know much about Dwarf Frogs but you could possibly mix them with the first or last combination. Search the web to see what kind of tank mates they can have.

Answer 3

It all depends on the surface area but with good filtration this should not be a problem, I'd have gone for a pair of Platy's rather than the guppy's but thats my personal choice, i've no idea of the requirements for frogs. Something for the bottom i'd have thought maybe a shark or cory's but with cory's you need a shoal of 5+ which will be pushing your capacity.

Id have thought real plants througout would possibly be better, again though i'm not into plastic.

you will need to take things slowly as you start you tank.

good luck

AJ

Answer 4

Way to many fish!! I'd cut back on the tetras (the most you would need is 5). What kind where u thinking of getting? Also, all you need are a couple of bottom feeders..2 catfish should be enough or you can use a couple of corydoras. As for the African dwarf frog....LOVE THOSE...but you only need 1.

Answer 5

it depends on the tetras as to how many -- you really want a minimum of 6 of each -- maybe 6 small ones like neons or glowlights and 6 larger ones like the skirted ones or sarpaes.

other really good plants simliar to java fern are bolbitis and the anubias(there are lots of them) you tie them to a rock or wood and drop them in -- they are slow growers and quite attractive. some anubias will even flower underwater -- the flowers resemble small peace lilies.

glass cats don't grow to 6" as far as i know. they are great in shoals -- the more the better. they are really small fish with long tails and you don't have to count them as 4" of fish.

in general for good tank design you don't want to introduce a bunch of random fish -- it makes it visually a lot more broken. you would do better with 2 shoals of tetras or a shoal of tetras and a shoal of danios and a shoal of glass cats -- add a frog or two for interest and pick something a little larger like a pair of smaller gouramis (pearl are my favorites and great fish for a community tank) or rainbows that don't get too big.

you get a very high marks for not overcrowding and picking fish that get along great together.

Answer 6

Seems like a bit to much, i like the fist 3, but 5-15 is a lot, i would get 3-5, that sounds more fair, and about the catfish, 2 would be the most i would get, the frogs are OK, fix that in, and you have a cool tank...
Good Luck.

Answer 7

no frogs and go with the 5 not 15 tetras

Answer 8

that seems like to many fish. You really need a good filter for that many fish and having all those different kinds can be trouble some and may conflict even if they arent mixed types such as aggresive, school fish, commmunity fish. Dont get so many fish b/c they will grow.

Answer 9

maybe add a bubble curtain!