Looking at getting back into aquariums (I had a salt water tank once but moved and couldn't bring it with me so I sold it). I want to do a planted aquarium and the platys come in such a variety of colours that I thought they would be a beautiful contrast to the greens of the plants (thought about goldfish but they might be messy) With platys I'm not sure what would be the best size tank to get for them and how strong of a filter current they would be okay with (thinking of buying a fluval 05 series filter system). and any other suggestions on other fish ie bottom dwellers that would exist well with them and any special considerations. thanks.
2007-07-19 18:52:41 · 7 answers · asked by bastian915 6 in Pets ➔ Fish
I would start with a 20 gallon tank since you have already some experience
You can buy complete kits at petsmart or petco, that come with the tank, the hood, the filter and the heater, and is also much cheaper, and the filter that come with the tanks are already pretty good as well
Don't forget that you have to cycle your tank, here is a link
http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php
you can put like 3-5 cory's in your tank or plecos, here are some links with info on them
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/genus.php?genus_id=1#51
http://www.peteducation.com/category_summary.cfm?cls=16&cat=1923
Here is a site about plants
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/categ.cfm?siteid=26&pCatId=768
and last but not least here is a site with different platy species
http://www.aquariumfish.net/catalog_pages/livebearer_platies/platies_table.htm#top2
Hope all that info helps
Good luck
EB
2007-07-19 19:56:58 · answer #1 · answered by Kribensis lover 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ahh, planted tanks can be quite rewarding. 29 gallons would be a fine size for you. This is because in my opinion the best price/performance point for lighting fixtures is a 30 inch compact florescent strip light, and this tank is 30 in. long.
At 65w you will get a nice 2 watts-per-gallon ratio and the bulbs come in a decent array of color temps. I think it is smart to choose an external canister filter. Not for the obvious reasons, no. It is a smart idea because you will save a few hundred bucks on CO2 injection by feeding the water inlet of your filter CO2and using the super-simple DIY yeast CO2 generator. Furthermore, Caribsea Eco-Complete is a very viable choice for substrate and now is the perfect time to start thinking about your substrate, not after you have a cycled tank. :)
As far as fish are concerned, I'll opt to let someone else help you decide, but keep in mind: For a truly balanced planted tank, you will want far more plants than fish.
Good luck with the planted aquarium!
DIY Yeast CO2 Generator: http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/CO2/co2-narten.html
An example of the alternative: http://www.floridadriftwood.com/product.asp?0=217&1=252&3=1053
2007-07-20 03:19:25 · answer #2 · answered by Jason C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
id get a well planted 30g as you will have many platys shortly after getting them. also a few corys on the bottom for leftover food that makes its way to the bottom. both extremely good community fish. a nice filter is good but if youd like to keep some of the little guys get a sponge for your filter or they'll all be sucked in. platys are livebearers and they will fill the tank up quickly with tons of babies! also platies will eat bits of food and algae found on your plants w/o ruining your plants health.
2007-07-20 04:07:42 · answer #3 · answered by Zion 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest a 10-gallon tank for the platys. I would also just stick with a freshwater snail as an algae eater since plecostomus require a 40-gallon tank minimum and I have seen them grow as big as my fist!
2007-07-25 04:03:36 · answer #4 · answered by NCConfederate13 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as big as you want.
10, 20L, 20, 29, 37, 45, 55, 75, 90, 100, 125, 150, 180, 200, 300, 10,000! whatever! the sky (and your bank account) is the limit!
goldfish usually end up eating live plants anyway.
corys are alwasy nice as bottom feeders, get at least 4
2007-07-20 03:12:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
a 30 gallon would be nice. after putting in the necessities, you will have a 25 gallon or so. get the red wag platys and proper lighting. as for plants, swords, ferns anubias are great, at least for me anyway. bottom dweller? i would go for the corys. green, albino, peppered or adolfo...take your pick.
2007-07-24 19:55:52 · answer #6 · answered by Debt Free! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would start with either a 10 or 20 gallon tank. I would get some flower shrimp and maybe an upsidedown catfish or two.
2007-07-20 01:57:14 · answer #7 · answered by wenchgirl04 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋