In need of advice.

[skjl47]

snails to do all the work, however I have read that they can reduce the bioload on the filter

hello; I do think snails help a tank. I figure it is better that organic material passes thru a snails digestive system than to have it simply rot.
Another potential benefit of snails, my opinion only, is I throw a few snails into all my new setups figuring they will have some beneficial bacteria (bb) on their shell as a film. I keep snails in all my tanks except for breeding setups.

buying some shrimps, snails and a pleco

Hello; Never had shrimp. may I suggest reconsidering the pleco. They are very messy fish. They make a lot of ugly waste and are poor at eating algae. If you happen to really like them then go for it. If to eat algae then I feel you will be disappointed. Also that cute small common pleco will get to be well over 14 inches long.

I was just thinking they could help to clear up uneaten food, algae etc.

hello; Snails do great with uneaten food. Snails do eat algae but not so that the glass is nice and clean. They will make small trails as they graze around but will not clean a panel. Snails still very worth having.

For the fluorescent tubes, are there any recommended brands/ certain types I should be going for? Or are they all pretty much the same. Thanks again.

I got mine at the local Wal-Mart. I no longer use the fluorescent tubes. I took out the guts of my fluorescent hoods and DIY'ed a way to use LED bulbs. The tubes work just fine tho and I did use them for decades.

 

[FriendsNotFood]

Also that cute small common pleco will get to be well over 14 inches long.

Yeah. I've read some horror stories about pet stores selling small pleco's which grow up to be monsters in 5g tanks haha.

They make a lot of ugly waste and are poor at eating algae.

Maybe I'll avoid those then I didn't realise they were so messy.

I got mine at the local Wal-Mart. I no longer use the fluorescent tubes. I took out the guts of my fluorescent hoods and DIY'ed a way to use LED bulbs. The tubes work just fine tho and I did use them for decades.

I see. Is there any benefit to using LED bulbs rather than the fluorescent tubes? I may buy a new hood anyway as this one is a little worn.

 

[FriendsNotFood]

If you plan on growing plants buy bulbs rated for fish and plants. Aqueon brand is ok but there are better brands.

Alright. Thanks for the help

 

[skjl47]

I see. Is there any benefit to using LED bulbs rather than the fluorescent tubes? I may buy a new hood anyway as this one is a little worn.

Hello; In terms of growing plants I find that either works well. I modified my hoods partly because some are decades old and the guts were showing their age. LED are supposed to last much longer appears to be the main advantage. I am well beyond two years on some LED bulbs.
There has been a negative to the LED switch. I mainly modified by adding standard screw in bases and using LED's with standard bases. I have had a few just quit both in my tank hoods and lamps. Now that they are much cheaper that is not such a problem.

Use the fluorescent for a time as they will work just fine.

 

[FriendsNotFood]

Use the fluorescent for a time as they will work just fine.

Alright, I'll find a good one for plants and fish then

 

[skjl47]

Hello; let ma add this. I find the LED hoods and lights in fish shops to be costly. My goal is to have lights that grow plants and if I can do that with less expense then I do not need a dedicated tank light.
On a 55 gallon tank which is 48 inches long I stuck a 48 inch LED shop light one afternoon. Just to see how it looked but I left it on for some reason. Around two years later it is still there and my plants overgrow the tank. I picked it up from the clearance aisle At Wal-Mart for around $25. I think they now are around $35.
By the way I like lights at around 5000 to 6500 K. Also known as daylight or natural.

 

[FriendsNotFood]

Hello; let ma add this. I find the LED hoods and lights in fish shops to be costly. My goal is to have lights that grow plants and if I can do that with less expense then I do not need a dedicated tank light.
On a 55 gallon tank which is 48 inches long I stuck a 48 inch LED shop light one afternoon. Just to see how it looked but I left it on for some reason. Around two years later it is still there and my plants overgrow the tank. I picked it up from the clearance aisle At Wal-Mart for around $25. I think they now are around $35.
By the way I like lights at around 5000 to 6500 K. Also known as daylight or natural.

Ok, so look for lights which will work for fish and plants but not specifically "aquarium lights" to save money? Also I have just now realised that it is infact the connection in the hood which is faulty rather than the fluorescent bulbs themselves after trying both bulbs in the second slot.. meaning I can only have one bulb working at a time unless I figure out how to repair it.

 

[skjl47]

Ok, so look for lights which will work for fish and plants but not specifically "aquarium lights" to save money?

Hello; At some point it is likely someone will see your thread and explain how the newest LED hoods and lights are soo much better. They will not be wrong in some ways.
When I started keeping planted tanks a bit over 50 years ago there were only standard incandescent bulbs. Not optimized for plants and grew plants. Got some optimized types and they grew plants.
Went to fluorescent tubes for decades, both optimized and common, and they grew plants. Get enough lumens in the tank and manage the photo period and many plants will grow.

One tube may not have enough lumens to grow amazon swords well but may do fine for other low light plants such as crypts and java fern.

 

[Hendre]

Welcome aboard. A few thoughts:

Honey gourami
Flag tail prochilodus
Glowlight tetra
lampeye killifish
Black phantom tetra
Kribensis
Guppies
tiger barb (although I've heard they can be aggressive D: )

First this is a bit much. Flagtails get rather large (14" is the biggest I've seen). Lampeye killis are best for a species tank just due to their sensitivity to water and breeding habits, if you have a mossy tank they'll grow in numbers! The tetras are cool, I love my glowlights at home. Kribensis are great, just prepare for babies. Same with guppies.

Lastly honey gourami look great but I've never had the chance to keep any.

I'd recommend picking only a few fish species. 2 schools of 10 fish looks better than 10 schools of two fish

Next. Lighting. I don't want to sound mean but plants can be difficult, a low power tube or LED light with basic fertilizers can give you a good looking tank.

Try root feeding plants like swords

 

[esoxlucius]

yeah, I definitely agree with young hendre on the flagtail issue. it will quickly become way to big for that tank. as pretty as they are you need to cross that one off your list, unless you have a LFS or buddy who'll take it off your hands at a later date.