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Neon Tetras for a newly established tank?

7575 Views 13 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  philipraposo1982
Hey guys.
As you guys ma or may not know I am setting up/ have set up a 20 gallon planted aquarium.
I am looking for some good fish to put in their.
Since the tank is at it's infancy of development, I am trying to pick some fish that will not constantly breed, look pretty, and can withstand some of the fluctuating water parameters. My tank is cycled but it has a low bio load.
I was thinking about Harlequin Rasboras, but they are not too pretty.
I want some neon tetras, but they are more susceptible t badish water qulity associated with a newly established tank.
However, on one of my other posts, 2 people wrote that they started their tanks with Neon Tetras and Cardinal Tetras.
Would this be OK to do?
How can I do this?
THANKS!
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I just picked up 10 cardinals for my newly set up 20h and the fish are doing ok. I'll know in a week if they were the right fish for my cycle.
IMHO, Cardinal Tetras are some of the worst choice for a newly set up tank.

If the tank is already cycled and if you can find good stock (almost impossible now days) Neon Tetras are pretty hardy. So are Glowlight Tetras, Black Neons, Cories.

v3
IMHO, Cardinal Tetras are some of the worst choice for a newly set up tank.

v3
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I have a 15 gallon, I used liquid bacteria and other liquid supplements on day 1 to do the cycle. Add the fishes and had a (what I believe) bacterial bloom the 2nd day, my water stayed milky for 3 days and now its crystal clear. The fish that I added were 5 black neon tetras, 6 black phantoms and 2 cory cats, its been a week and not a single fish died, they look healthy to me, Im not an expert though.
Hey guys.
As you guys ma or may not know I am setting up/ have set up a 20 gallon planted aquarium.
I am looking for some good fish to put in their.
Since the tank is at it's infancy of development, I am trying to pick some fish that will not constantly breed, look pretty, and can withstand some of the fluctuating water parameters. My tank is cycled but it has a low bio load.
I was thinking about Harlequin Rasboras, but they are not too pretty.
I want some neon tetras, but they are more susceptible t badish water qulity associated with a newly established tank.
However, on one of my other posts, 2 people wrote that they started their tanks with Neon Tetras and Cardinal Tetras.
Would this be OK to do?
How can I do this?
THANKS!
Need number's for pH, GH, ammonia,nitrites,nitrates.
These would help other's suggest suitable fish.
Start with glow light tetras, pretty but from what I have seen hardier then neons. Even with all the knowledge I have on tanks and cycling them, I still personally will not put neons in a tank that's 4 months or younger. Getting a good hardy stock of them is hard now a days, so the more your tank is aged, the better they seem to do.
I have 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites

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One of the first important factors in selecting the right fish is to test your will be consistent water parameter, like Ph, Temp, Gh etc. This will ensure or at least build a strong immune system for your fish. For example, if your first choice is neon tetra, they prefer water on a softer side, then if you want to add another fish, you should find one that works or within that water conditions. Fish can only be hardy if they're given the right environment, if not, they may live for a while but do not guarantee a healthy one.
As long as you keep up with the water changes and making sure that the ammonia and nitrites are at a low level then you honestly should be fine. I have some and you can tell when they like things or don't (from the overall tank design to the water parameters as they will school rather then shoal).

Since you said your tank is already cycled (or at the end of cycling) and you want a light bioload, these would be the fish for you. I've never had cardinal tetras but the 7 neon tetras I got at my local LFS seem to be very strong and healthy. Had them for a little over a month and a half now with no deaths or illness or anything.
Take a look at the black neon tetras. I have these in a 20 L as well as some Kerri Blue tetras. I'm not a big fan of regular neons, but the black ones are really nice.
i cycled with young cardinals, i never lost one. i went back after cycle and bought the rest. my cycle was only 10 days though

I know have 25 cardinals. I would say get them.
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