20 gallon tank question??

This is my first tank and is a 20 gallon square tank and I love fish and wanted to get the best out of my fish I have two marble mallies two small sword tails and 3 neoun tetras and a chines algea eater any suggestions??
If I have succes my parents will let me get another tank help please.

 

:y_the_best: Sounds good. Don't know what suggestions to give you. Well do not overfeed the fish, make sure you do water changes of 20% at least once a month but once every 2 weeks is better. Remember to age the water b4 u add it in.

Well not sure what else.

 

Did you cycle the tank before adding any fish? Do you own test kits for ammonia, nitrIte, and nitrAte? You need to check those regularly.

Also, that chinese algae eater will probably end up outgrowing the tank.

-Chelle

 

Read up on cycling and then read it all over again. Also, I find that I have more success when water changes are done at 25% weekly ( I also have a 20 gallon). Your mollies and sword tails should allow you a chance to try your hand at fry but your neons would really do best in a larger group of six or seven. However if you didn't cycle your tank first they probably won't make it I keep Chinese algae eaters too and they do a great job. Make sure to supplement it's diet with sinking algae wafers too to keep him healthy.

About all I can think of for now, good luck!

 

I did cycle the tank and try my hardest to keep the fish in a nice aquirum.

 

I've had very bad luck with mollies, probably because I didn't read any literature so I relied on Darwin's theory of the strongest surviving. But through many bitter experiences I found that luck was pointing my way as far as the following are concerned: Angel fish, all kinds of tetras, definitely catfish, cychlids, goldfish, but those I don't like as they do raise ammonia sky-high in the tank and make it unlivable for other fish. Betas are good companions with gouramis and angelfish and cychlids, you can even add barbs (they are fast) provided the shy angelfish is quite a bit bigger than either gourami or the beta - but that's if you want a semi-aggressive tank. Otherwise, if you like peaceful community fish and plus being on probation - I'd suggest to stick with the ones I've enumerated above. Mollies, swordtails and platys aren't the good material for experimentation due to the high sensitivity. Hope this helps[/quote]

 

Actually, I wouldn't put a betta with any of those fish. Gouramis are too closely related to bettas so the males tend to fight. Angelfish can be pretty aggressive, plus they have long fins so the betta may attack it (if it doesn't attack the betta first). Most cichlids are way to aggressive for bettas. And barbs are fin nippers.

As for the 20 gallon, assuming you're going to move the CAE when it gets larger, I'd add a few more neons and maybe a few cory cats to help clean up.

-Chelle