20 Gallon Setup and Cichlid Help FAST

[Earthswater]

Hello, i just got a Aqueon 20 gallon fish kit, came with filter, heater, ect.
I am a a relatively experienced fish keeper, have been keeping tetras and other small fish in a 5 gallon tank on and off for the past 2 years.
I have quickrete play sand as the substrate, (its sand not concrete), and some plastic plants.

In my 5 gal tank i now have a cory and a danio both younger that 1 month

I am cycling through my new tank and in a few days i want to get fish, What Kind??
I was thinking maybe an anglefishs, cichlids (maybe), ples and some other bigger fish. I have 2 20 gallon filters in the tank right now cycling threw, along with a 100 watt heater soon to add another if this is needed (not sure). I also want to eventually merge the fish from my smaller 5 gallon tank into the bigger one (is this possible) not to attached to the danio so... but would like to keep the cory. Also any tips for care, changes to the tank, need anymore info??? Thanks a ton

Any input or comments are greatly appriciated

 

[haywood]

The tank definitely looks like it's in the middle of a cycle as the water is hazy. I would buy some Sechem Prime and Sechem Stability when you get the fish. You could do an angelfish, but only one, along with a few tetras. If you're thinking cichlids you could really only do convicts or jellybean parrots. I never liked mixing giant danios with angels as they seem to stress them out. Angels and neons/cardinals are nice but the angel may pick them off as he/she gets larger.

 

[Earthswater]

No tank has already cycled through. It js totally clean. Would the sand have an negative affects?

 

[honda237]

I use the same sand in all my tanks and never had a problem. I would say an angel plus a few tetras, or a single convict. I would never keep more than one convict in a 20g.

 

[Earthswater]

I use the same sand in all my tanks and never had a problem. I would say an angel plus a few tetras, or a single convict. I would never keep more than one convict in a 20g.

good to know about the sand,

I use the same sand in all my tanks and never had a problem.

any tips / ideas for care/starting it, tank smells slightly like concrete ish type sand smell

 

[steve617]

Your filter and heater should also be fine. A single angel would be good. Another option would be a pair of Bolivian Rams. Also the black neons would be a little larger than regular neons and would survive a little better than regular neons.

 

[TheMightyOscar]

if you just got the tank, it is not cycled, a full complete cycle takes 4-6 weeks and the bacteria need ammonia to grow and become established, if you have no fish in there, or no source of ammonia, your tank has not started a cycle.

do you have a test kit? if so, what are your readings? a cycled tank should read 0ppm on Ammonia, 0ppm on NitrItes and you should see a minimum of 5ppm-10ppm on your NitrAtes.

if you don't have a test kit, go get one..only way you will know when your tank has cycled. the Freshwater Master Test Kit by API is the best on the market.

 

[littlewangzfan]

if you just got the tank, it is not cycled, a full complete cycle takes 4-6 weeks and the bacteria need ammonia to grow and become established, if you have no fish in there, or no source of ammonia, your tank has not started a cycle.

do you have a test kit? if so, what are your readings? a cycled tank should read 0ppm on Ammonia, 0ppm on NitrItes and you should see a minimum of 5ppm-10ppm on your NitrAtes.

if you don't have a test kit, go get one..only way you will know when your tank has cycled. the Freshwater Master Test Kit by API is the best on the market.

 

[steve617]

I also agree not cycled. I would add a couple of the neons or what ever small fish you were thinking about using. If you go with a Angel defiently add that last. If you know someone who has a tank that is disease free perhaps you can use some of the filter media from it to help in the cycling. Some people use a fishless cycle (I don't), its just a process you have to go thru just do it right and be patient.

 

[nautilus]

After cycling, sand is fine but be careful as it can really mess up your impeller on the filter if it gets in!