Need A Refresher And Advice On Starting Up A Smaller Tank Please

 
Hiya, I posted on the intro thread but I'll just reiterate, previously managed to have a lovely big aquarium, well established with several species and plants for a few years but had to give it up when we moved house  . This was a few years ago and I've really missed it so today bought a small tank for the kitchen. I really need starting up and stocking advice, everything i knew seems to have left me plus i understand it can be more difficult to care for a smaller aquarium. The tank is about 50cm and holds about 20litres. I've got filters that came with it including carbon and ceramic which are new to me, a pump and an l.e.d light. Got it set up with dechlorinated water and rinsed gravel, heater on, and one planted coconut shell.

I know the filter needs to develop good bacteria but I need help with getting it ready to introduce fish and advice on that too ... Ideally I'd love to keep a Betta, calculator on here says I could keep a small shoal of neons with him for example. I'm interested in the shrimp and snails i saw today too. But when and in what order to introduce them?

Also i'd like to create more shelter and interest with another plant or 2 and maybe some pebbles... But then I'm conscious of them taking up valuable space!

Any thoughts?

Hi lmc

Here's my starter for 10 - I'm sure others will be able to add more 

The tank is about 50cm and holds about 20litres.

Could you confirm the exact dimensions/volume as this will be important for stocking advice and recommendations - a 'standard' shaped aquarium with a front facing length of 50cm would generally have a larger volume than 20 litres (e.g. a 50l x 30h x 18w would equate to nearer 30 litres whilst a 50l x 30h x 30w would be more than double at around 45 litres).

I've got filters that came with it including carbon and ceramic which are new to me.....I know the filter needs to develop good bacteria

The ceramic helps the 'good' bacteria to develop by providing a large surface area for them to colonise. The carbon helps remove chemicals (bad or good, e.g. medications) and the like from the water (and can also help with water clarity) but won't affect things Ammonia/Nitrites/Nitrates. You don't need to run carbon in the filter all of the time - it's best used in short bursts for specific tasks so I'd probably leave it out for now and keep it in an airtight container until you need it. As for cycling your filter, there's a very detailed thread on here about doing a fish-less cycle which will tell you far more than I can!

Ideally I'd love to keep a Betta, calculator on here says I could keep a small shoal of neons with him for example. I'm interested in the shrimp and snails i saw today too. But when and in what order to introduce them?

As above, we'd need to know a bit more about your tank before making any suggestions - 20l would perhaps be on the small size for anything more than just a Betta (Neons would need to be in a shoal of at least 6), but you could potentially keep shrimp and/or snails with the Betta (although there is always some risk of the fish attacking shrimp/snails - it can depend on the individual fish).

Also i'd like to create more shelter and interest with another plant or 2 and maybe some pebbles... But then I'm conscious of them taking up valuable space!

Space and volume need to be thought of slightly differently - volume will ultimately determine your healthy stocking level, however swimming space is important where you intend to keep fast/active fish and general tank dimensions will impact on the size/shape of fish you can keep, e.g. a smallish tank like you have is unlikely to have sufficient swimming space for the majority of fast/active fish types.

Oh! Also, testing kits etc, can anyone explain in a nutshell a good routine? I know we tested water quality and ph  occasionally with the big tank but I'm reading that it's more important with a small one...

The API Master test kit seems to be quite widely used - you should be able to pick one up off the internet for around £20. They're a good investment and will last for quite a while. More regular testing is usually advisable for smaller tanks because the smaller volume of water can mean that your parameters can change quite quickly.


Hope this helps!

we need to know if your water is hard or soft first  Your water supplier's website should have that info.

Ah, water hardness - I knew I'd missed something!! 

Thank you all, that's great. Going to LFS tomorrow after a fascinating recce on Tuesday.

Thank you all, that's great. Going to LFS tomorrow after a fascinating recce on Tuesday.

Have you cycled the tank yet? Or is it non-fish things you are going for?