A Newbie starting a new 30L tank -advice needed

Hi Guys,

I'm starting a new 30L tank and was wandering the ideal way to make it into an aquascape set up.
I'm looking for names of hardy plants and the amount of fish to put into the tank? I really like Rams, so these would be my first choice of preferred fish

Can I go without CO2?

 

As a newbie - you want to learn with easy to keep inhabitants - and move on to the next level when you've paid your dues.
First newbie mistake - is to think that the smaller the tank, the easier it will be to maintain - not true. As it gets bigger, the more stable your water chemistry & temperature.
Of course as the tank sizes get really big - maintenance will become a bit overwhelming for a newbie. I would say the sweet spot for a new fish keeper is about 80-100 liters.
Quick side note - even if the box says so, or even if your dimension calculations say so - the tank will always hold less than you think. The water never goes right to the top, and the substrate, decorations and filter material take up space.
Once you have finished your tank, physically measure the water it holds. This is the value you will use to determine stock, conditioning/medication dosing etc.

Stock level: normal stock level rule of thumb on tropical fish is: 1cm of fish per liter of water (calculated as above). However, I would always suggest understocking as a beginner.

In my experience, Rams are definitely not a beginner fish. Stick to your easy and hardy staples like: guppies, harlequin rasboras, some of the tetras, danios, some of the corydoras, platys, swordtails, mollys, bettas (although careful who you mix them with) etc....

Plants: you should not be thinking CO2 on your first tank. You should be thinking easy, low to medium light species like anubius, buce, java fern, java moss, suBwassertang, hornwort, crypts etc....

Keeping fish will teach you the meaning of patience. There is no such thing as rushing the process here. You have to learn to crawl before you can walk - as they say.
Please take this advice - I don't say all of this to make you feel inadequate or inferior to me, but rather because I've been fish keeping for 36 years and I've made a million mistakes along the way, and killed way too many fish-friends with impatience.

Good luck - relax and enjoy!

 

Hi @JLP.

Welcome to the Forum

Some good advice and food for thought has been given above

Unfortunately i have very little experience with planted tanks..

Look for ward to how your project develops

 

Hey @JLP, welcome

Great info from @Xerxes, +1

Definitely would recommend taking your time to plan out what you want and look at the options and what fish are compatible with each other. Availability and quality of stock may vary and you might have to wait a bit to get what you really want, BUT its definitely worth it.

Wouldn't recommend CO2 for a first tank but try get a decent light and would recommend the above mentioned plants like anubias, java fern/moss.

Wishing you all the best

 

Newbie to planted aquarium here. From one newbie to another take this advice. PLAN! do not let the bug bite you that you get so excited you buy R600 worth of plants in one go without even bothering to check the names because you are so excited and the colors look beautiful. Even if I THOUGHT I was prepared with all my products that I needed for high tech plants if I so wanted some I was NOT prepared. When I finally got the actual idea I wanted I had too many plants of varieties that I didn't want or need and not the idea I was going for because what they looked like in the pots is not what they gave me exactly in the tank, for instance not knowing what I was buying they looked bundled up together and beautiful only to find out I bought too much stem plants that grow really long and had more background plants then foreground or midground. All I can say is PLAN ur aquascape BEFORE you buy it. Wait for the stock that you want if it's not in stock. You will end up saving alot more money. Also don't go for betta's if you haven't kept fish before. Alot of people say they are beginner fish but they aren't although they are easy to take care of if you know what ur doing or what they need but the quality of betta fish from local fish stores have declined drastically due to inbreeding and they are prone to alot more diseases then the old days. They are worth the buy if you research what they need and make sure you have it because they have amazing personalities but once u put them in a community tank it's harder to watch they're health.

 

Welcome to the forum, i would recommend hoinh with a DIY co2 system to start off with, the proper systems can really break your budget. I did a DIY about a week ago and I can see the difference for minimal effort, do proper research before getting anything, else you will just burn money, and also check the for sale sections for good deals