hi (swordtail,guppy,tetra, community tank)

[Mitsukake]

hi ,

i plan to start a swordtail,guppy,tetra, community tank
what should i take note of ?

[emboona]

try not to mix fin nippers with those slow,placid or fancytailed ones.
Like tiger barbs dun mix with bettas, guppies and other slow fish

check up on their temprament and water requirements before planning

this might help
Fish compatibility chart (http://badmanstropicalfish.com/fish_chart.html)

[Louis]

Hi,

It is really not that hard. If fact it can be one of the easiest and most compatible community setups to establish.

The main concern is water parameters. Tropical fish such as Tetras and livebearers need water with a pH of 7 and temperatures which can fluxuate anywhere from 76-84 F.

Make sure that Tetras and other schooling fish are kept in groups of at least 4.

Use the "Gallon per fish" rule to determine the maximum number of fish which can be kept in the size tank.

Other than that, add a few plants, some substrate, a few rocks, and you are more than set. Best of Luck!

Louis:)

[Mitsukake]

thanks will try to set up soon

[slowpoke]

Originally posted by Louis
Hi,

It is really not that hard. If fact it can be one of the easiest and most compatible community setups to establish.

The main concern is water parameters. Tropical fish such as Tetras and livebearers need water with a pH of 7 and temperatures which can fluxuate anywhere from 76-84 F.

Make sure that Tetras and other schooling fish are kept in groups of at least 4.

Use the "Gallon per fish" rule to determine the maximum number of fish which can be kept in the size tank.

Other than that, add a few plants, some substrate, a few rocks, and you are more than set. Best of Luck!

Louis:)

err, what is it about the "gallon per fish" rule, can you elaborate? thanks!

[Mitsukake]

that means
1 gallon : 1 fish

[slowpoke]

Originally posted by Mitsukake
that means
1 gallon : 1 fish

for tetras, or for all? :P:P

[Louis]

Sorry,

It is my fault for not clearing this up earlier.

This rule is basically used to measure approximatly how many fish you can keep in a certain about of tank space without cramping.

The rule is "one inch of fish, per every gallon of water". The rule is self-explaining. I will describe an example.

You have a 20 Gallon Aquarium. You have 4 Cardinal Tetras, each at 1". 2 kissing gourami at 3" each. 4 swordtails at 2" each. And finally 1 cory cat at 2". If you add all the measurements, it will equal 20". 20" = 20 gallons of water.

That is basically the rule. Simple, yet effective to keep in mind when setting up a community tank.

Regards:)

[optimus prime]

BRO Mitsu, i think your idea of community tank is not quite right.
remember tetras, guppies, swordtails need diff. kind of water conditions:p .
best if you keep according to species- easier.
i keep more than 20 diff. kinds of tetras in a 3 ft. tank. all healthy.
change 70 % water every sunday and using only a 2 ft. OH filter.
also many driftwood for them to make the water soft.
:D

[jhseah]

Pls make sure your tank is cycled before adding those fishes.;)

[Louis]

Originally posted by optimus prime
BRO Mitsu, i think your idea of community tank is not quite right.
remember tetras, guppies, swordtails need diff. kind of water conditions:p .

Actually OP,

Tetras, Livebearers and some gouramis prefer the following water conditions:

*Temperatures: 74-84 F
*pH: around 7 (neutral)
*DH: soft (1-3)

Of course it does vary by small percentages, but it is still within the range that we consider easily adaptable by community species.

If you are still unsure, look up the requirements for Malawi Cichlids vs. Tetras.

Malawis require roughly the same temperatures, however, they thrive in hard water with pH of no less than 8. A pH of 8 in a community tank will be unbearable for some species.

:)

[zac08]

The 1 inch per gallon rule applies to coldwater tanks and also new tanks for tropicals.... But once it has been cycled properly, you can go up to 3 inch per gallon. I've kinda busted the limit a few times and it has maintained well, though I had to change water and clean the filter more regularly than normal....

This is a rough gauge for the bio-load of each tank and do note that the gallons here should be the water after deducting the gravel and the plants....

[optimus prime]

ya lah....... actually it doesnt make much diff. only thing for me is that no syok lah to keep diff. species together. eg if i keep tetras, than suddenly theres a goldfish or a guppy or a chiclid in the same tank, i feel funny.:p because they are come from diff.
" kampong". you get what i mean?hehehhe............
people like my mother in-law "bo-chap" one, she sees what fish is nice she just buy and dump in my tank.:D

[Louis]

Originally posted by optimus prime
ya lah....... actually it doesnt make much diff. only thing for me is that no syok lah to keep diff. species together. eg if i keep tetras, than suddenly theres a goldfish or a guppy or a chiclid in the same tank, i feel funny.:p because they are come from diff.
" kampong". you get what i mean?hehehhe............
people like my mother in-law "bo-chap" one, she sees what fish is nice she just buy and dump in my tank.:D

Well now personal preference is a different story now isn't it. ;)

[WingZer0]

it all depends personal preference also. But think guppies and tetras and a definite no go (But u can always try :D). Coz some tetras cannot take ph more than 7. Maybe u can try tetras with swordtails and gouramis. Thats what I'm keeping now anyway.

Cardinals and Black Neons will look very nice due to the colour contrast between these two. Black Neon the cheapest I found is at Aro Pac, selling 1 fish for only 50cents.

Swordtails can get from KK (tamp201) they got those double swordtails.

[Kindovic]

care to post a pic on black neons??

[WingZer0]

here's the pic

can also try this website

http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile51.html

[Mitsukake]

which means
tetra cannot go with swordtail and guppy ?
that's veri sad..

[bsplenden]

Originally posted by Mitsukake
which means
tetra cannot go with swordtail and guppy ?
that's veri sad..

IMO, it is possible that tetras can be kept with swordtail and guppies. i always use direct tap water. and so far, my fishes are doin fine. i tink pH of 7 is ok for all 3 species in singapore. just that tetras thrive as a lower pH. in fact, a comm tank of guppies and swordtails will produce lots of babies if both sex are present. so, keep more plants for the frys to hide.

[Mitsukake]

thanks
does that means i have to set up something like a plant tank?
can i use just gravel and drift wood + some artifical plants... ?

[zac08]

You could....

but with some plants, it helps to remove the excess ammonia and nitrates...

But it's up to you... A good and mature bio-filter would help to remove at least 90 - 100% of the wastes.... But do note that you still have to change water regularly...

I have a 6.5 gallon tank which has only gravel and a bio-filter. And a thin layer of moss as plants which does not help to remove much wastes at all... But note that it only contains a few fishes... (3 cherry barbs, 3 cardinals, 1 zebra danio and 1 killiefish.

[WingZer0]

Originally posted by Mitsukake
which means
tetra cannot go with swordtail and guppy ?
that's veri sad..

Tetras and swordtail can one..........if u want to put guppies in better maintain PH7 so all the 3 species can "live happily"

[Mitsukake]

ok will take note of it
=>

[route]

black neons , my first ever fishes... :D unforgettable memories

[WingZer0]

Actually I find that Black Neon is more active than cardinals and normal neons. But I read somewhere that Penguin tetras like to swim in zigzag fashion. Now thats gonna be interesting :D

[jhseah]

Swordtails can be very jumpy so try to make sure u got a cover for your tank if possible.
Seen nice swordtails at QianHu.

[WingZer0]

Originally posted by jhseah
Swordtails can be very jumpy so try to make sure u got a cover for your tank if possible.
Seen nice swordtails at QianHu.

Hhhmmmm.......didn't know that swordtails like to jump.....anyway lucky my tank is mostly covered :D

[Mitsukake]

Originally posted by jhseah
Swordtails can be very jumpy so try to make sure u got a cover for your tank if possible.
Seen nice swordtails at QianHu.

hehee i know that
use to keep them when i was small
but veri lousy at keeping the baby fries..
all die 1
=<