Stocking Ideas Please

Hi 
I'm hoping to start the fishless cycle on my 2nd tank soon and wondered what type of fish I could have.   I was told by the seller it was a 100l tank but working out the measurements & subtracting the volume taken by the cut off corner (for a filter) = 123.5litres.
I am considering an external filter as there is a ready cut hole in the base of that corner area.  The water here is very soft and pH usually = 7.6.  What fish do you suggest?
I've checked the fish profiles on here & as my tank is not 60cm - it seems a no-no for neon tetras that I'd love unfortunately.  I'd like this to be a community tank if possible.
Thanks in advance   

I've checked the fish profiles on here & as my tank is not 60cm - it seems a no-no for neon tetras that I'd love unfortunately. 

I'm probably being a bit thick here, but if the tank is 123 litres, isn't it longer than the 60cm minimum for neons?

If I were you I'd go for a S. American biotope. You mentioned you liked neons, and I'll probably be shot by some people for this, but I think neons or even cardinals would be fine in your tank. A 52cm cube would provide more swimming room than a 60 x 30.  If you're concerned, green neons tend to be a little smaller. I would also put the embers in the new tank too as I think they're a bit big for a 23l (though it would make an awesome shrimpery!). A nice school of cories and maybe a smaller plec (bristlenose, clown or zebra - if you're feeling flush).

For the tank decor, a dark sandy substrate is ideal but play sand is a great cheap alternative. You could put a soil base in if you like, but lots of plants grow just fine in sand. Add some aquarium safe rocks (ones that won't raise your pH or hardness - there's lot of info online) and some nice big driftwood pieces. I'd throw some Amazon Sword and Vallies at the back of the tank. To be honest I'm getting a bit carried away, but there's tonnes of choices and figuring out what you want to do with your tank is almost as much fun as actually doing it!

If I were you I'd go for a S. American biotope. You mentioned you liked neons, and I'll probably be shot by some people for this, but I think neons or even cardinals would be fine in your tank. A 52cm cube would provide more swimming room than a 60 x 30.  If you're concerned, green neons tend to be a little smaller. I would also put the embers in the new tank too as I think they're a bit big for a 23l (though it would make an awesome shrimpery!). A nice school of cories and maybe a smaller plec (bristlenose, clown or zebra - if you're feeling flush).

For the tank decor, a dark sandy substrate is ideal but play sand is a great cheap alternative. You could put a soil base in if you like, but lots of plants grow just fine in sand. Add some aquarium safe rocks (ones that won't raise your pH or hardness - there's lot of info online) and some nice big driftwood pieces. I'd throw some Amazon Sword and Vallies at the back of the tank. To be honest I'm getting a bit carried away, but there's tonnes of choices and figuring out what you want to do with your tank is almost as much fun as actually doing it!

I agree with you that neons can do perfectly well in a tank that is 20 inch long.

I agree with Cod about the green neons. Don't be fooled by the name green because they are blue. They only look greeny blue when viewed from a certain angle. I have some and can say that mine ,at nearly 5 years old, have never grown more than an inch and a quarter. Seriously Fish says they can go in a 45 X 30 cm tank.

My water is softish with a pH of 7.5 and I have Microdevario kubotai (aka neon green rasboras). These look particularly good with ember tetras (which I also have) so if you moved those over they do go well together visually.

By the way, the diagonal distance in your tank would be approx 72cm, whilst its only 67cm in a 60 x 30 tank so I would conclude the neons would have plenty of room to dash about your tank.

I know, I've got no idea if Sunshine wants one but I'm hoping I can convince her!

Pleased that you think it's ok to have neons, Brian & Cod.  When I checked the fish profile on here it said tank needs to be 60cm that's why I wasn't sure.

Just remember that that was made by a person, and people don't know everything. We are not perfect in any way, well maybe in causing wars and violence. Also we all have different opinions. For example, some people think that an oscar should have a minimum of 55 gallons while some think 40 gallon breeder and some say 75 gallons.

Thanks, you've all given me plenty to think about.    I've been reading up on small corys as I've never had them before and also biotopes ( nod to Cod  ).  Biotopes do make sense and as I like the idea of a calm, peaceful tank - tetras & corys seem the way to go.  Not sure about dwarf cichlids Cod, they seem a bit too aggressive for my teeny embers?

As some of you have recommended moving my embers from the 23l to the large one, I'll do that & add some more to their group.  I'll have a look for green neon tetras as I like the sound of them really being 'blue'. It will be quite a while before I start adding fish anyway so plenty of time to research & look around.  I'm still deciding what stand to use as the stand that came with the tank doesn't look like it would hold a full tank.      Once I've sorted that out, I'll be able to start the fishless cycle.   

Few qns:
1. Do small corys have a preference for a certain colour of sand? (hope that's not a stupid qn!)
2. I've not used sand before - any advice please?  Type / how deep should it be / adding plants, etc.
3. What order would you add the fish?  ie. do corys need a well-established tank?  Obviously I have the embers already so could they go in first.  Think they'll be a bit lost on their own in such a huge tank.

Apologies if these qns have been asked numerous times - I've searched the forum & found some info but not exactly what I need to know.

I did read that Cories may be a problem if you're trying to breed Dwarf Cichlids as they'd bulldoze their way in and eat the eggs. It does sound a bit stressful so probably best avoided! To answer your other questions (as best as I can!):

1. Do small corys have a preference for a certain colour of sand? (hope that's not a stupid qn!)
Most fish prefer a darker substrate, I believe because it makes them feel safer as they are more difficult to spot from above. Consequently they are supposed to display better colours. I assume Cories are no exception.

2. I've not used sand before - any advice please?  Type / how deep should it be / adding plants, etc.
I started with a flat inch and a half layer of sand at the bottom of my tank, but got bored of that look pretty soon. I then added some larger rocks and placed varying depths sand across the tank, deeper at the back and shallower at the back. I'm really happy with the look and it supposedly helps push poo to the front for easier cleaning, but in reality my water pushes it to the back! Having a layer of sand that is too thick can supposedly lead to a build up of dangerous gas below the surface if the sand isn't agitated. My sand varies from 1/2 and inch at the front to about 2 and half at the back. Most easy grow plants do fine in sand and there's tonnes of info online about plant suitability.

3. What order would you add the fish?  ie. do corys need a well-established tank?  Obviously I have the embers already so could they go in first.  Think they'll be a bit lost on their own in such a huge tank.

I would recommend the embers first as you all ready have them and they'll be happy with your water parameters providing the tank is cycled. Personally I'd then add the neons. This is based purely on a cost basis. Green neons usually cost less than £2 each, whereas cories can cost anywhere between £2 and well over £20 each depending on the species. In all honesty I don't think it'll be too much of an issue either way.