Experienced with 20 gal, gifted a 5gal

fletchr · 12-26-2011, 11:02 PM

Hello,
I have had a 20gal freshwater aquarium for about 4 years or so. I have and have had (not all at the same time) neon tetras, zebra danios, tequila sunrise guppies, red tetras, a plecy that started as about 2" and grew to about 10" (too big) along with a few live plants. I prefer smaller and colorful fish. Now i am adding a 5gal since it was given to me as a gift and i am trying to figure out what fish will be acceptable in the tank and am considering this a challenge. I am very experienced in dealing with a tank in regard to proper water chemistry with ph and nitrogen levels and oxygenation and am fine with overstocking. I know that 5gal tanks are not suitable for many types of fish, i am just wondering if anyone out there has a sustainable setup for a 5 gal tank that involves more then 2-3 fish. I would like to add a ghost shrimp as well. Also, im not interested in betas.

PS: i have had a great setup with under gravel filters and and bubblers if anyone needs some advice on those for a freshwater setup.

Summer · 12-26-2011, 11:26 PM

Welcome!

There isnt much you can keep in a 5 gal comfortably. Possibly 4-5 platy or guppies. However they would need to be of the same sex to keep from over producing. Would make a nice shrimp tank? Lot's of plants nad it could be beautiful without having too many fish

fletchr · 12-26-2011, 11:45 PM

Hi summer thanks for the response. And yea I know there aren't many options. I'm debating between having about 5 platys/guppies or just turning it into a invertebrate tank which wouldn't be to bad. Plants are a must and thanks for the advice.

Reefing Madness · 12-27-2011, 08:32 AM

aquaninja · 12-27-2011, 04:12 PM

Welcome to the forum! Maybe you could have some guppies or platies in the 5 gallon, or an invert tank, that would be cool too.

Rob72 · 12-27-2011, 06:23 PM

hello and welcome

Big Dog · 01-08-2012, 10:15 AM

Alasse · 01-08-2012, 04:00 PM

Hiya and Welcome to the forum

AquaOverflow · 01-09-2012, 12:51 PM

Hi and Welcome to the forum!!! You have joined a great group here.

12-26-2011, 11:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
fletchr Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 2 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Experienced with 20 gal, gifted a 5gal Hello, I have had a 20gal freshwater aquarium for about 4 years or so. I have and have had (not all at the same time) neon tetras, zebra danios, tequila sunrise guppies, red tetras, a plecy that started as about 2" and grew to about 10" (too big) along with a few live plants. I prefer smaller and colorful fish. Now i am adding a 5gal since it was given to me as a gift and i am trying to figure out what fish will be acceptable in the tank and am considering this a challenge. I am very experienced in dealing with a tank in regard to proper water chemistry with ph and nitrogen levels and oxygenation and am fine with overstocking. I know that 5gal tanks are not suitable for many types of fish, i am just wondering if anyone out there has a sustainable setup for a 5 gal tank that involves more then 2-3 fish. I would like to add a ghost shrimp as well. Also, im not interested in betas. PS: i have had a great setup with under gravel filters and and bubblers if anyone needs some advice on those for a freshwater setup. Last edited by fletchr : 12-26-2011 at 11:10 PM.

12-26-2011, 11:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
Summer Susan and Bev's protégé Summer's Photo Gallery Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 2,502 Name: Summer Location: Pennsylvania My location Feedback: 11 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 1,136 Times Said "Thanks" 168 Times Was Thanked 570 Times in 551 Posts	Re: Experienced with 20 gal, gifted a 5gal Welcome! There isnt much you can keep in a 5 gal comfortably. Possibly 4-5 platy or guppies. However they would need to be of the same sex to keep from over producing. Would make a nice shrimp tank? Lot's of plants nad it could be beautiful without having too many fish __________________ "Being ignorant is not so much a Shame, as being unwilling to learn".-- Benjamin Franklin

12-26-2011, 11:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
fletchr Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 2 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Experienced with 20 gal, gifted a 5gal Hi summer thanks for the response. And yea I know there aren't many options. I'm debating between having about 5 platys/guppies or just turning it into a invertebrate tank which wouldn't be to bad. Plants are a must and thanks for the advice.

12-27-2011, 08:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
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12-27-2011, 04:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
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12-27-2011, 06:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
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01-08-2012, 10:15 AM	#7 (permalink)
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01-09-2012, 12:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
AquaOverflow Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 519 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 519 Times Said "Thanks" 9 Times Was Thanked 99 Times in 99 Posts	Re: Experienced with 20 gal, gifted a 5gal Hi and Welcome to the forum!!! You have joined a great group here. __________________ Custom Overflow Boxes, Standpipes, and Macro Algae… http://www.aquariumoverflow.com

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