Hello, I'm starting a 20 gallon tall tank, I basiclly have it all set up its just that I'm not sure what fish I should stock it with. Since I have rocks in it that do raise the pH of my tank...I'm pointing out African Cichlids. I also want to put live plants in the tank, since I don't like the look of the plastic plants. I also want to point out that I a very short budget and I can't go out and buy fish worth $15+ each. So what fish and what live plants should I get? (No community fish as well, I already have a 55 gallon full of them.) I have pictures of the setup below (so far) vv

EDIT: I have been reading my pH as a 7.3-7.5 It didnt rise like I though it would...does anyone have any Oddballs in mind?

a little off subject, but what's in the tank next to it?

i would do 4 dwarf puffers. most africans get too big for that size tank, and they don't really care for tall tanks, they prefer longer tanks. that is, unless you did tanganyikans, but they would prolly be expensive for you

Lol, It is a 55 gallon snake tank.

I'll look into the puffers, I have no experiance with them however.

Yah, I checked out Puffers and Tanganyikans. Tanganyikans are way to expensive for me (even though they look nice.) Puffers are cute and affordable, they are on my list...now I have to research them. ><

(Sry if double posting is not allowed... :unsure: )

what kind of snake?! we have a cali king and a red tailed boa

Its a ball python. (I want a Cali King sooo bad...)

ours is a little firecracker. he strikes at everything, until he gets picked up. we got him as a hatchling, and he's grown a lot already. he's pretty cool. we lost both of our ball pythons to IBD a few months ago... bad experience with a bad pet shop

Angelfish prefer tall tanks and they are cichlids...just not African cichlids. :P

Are those rocks definitely safe for the aquarium?

They have been used in a 55 african cichlid tank before...over two years old...they should be safe.

I have fish in the tank right now and they seem to have no problems at all.

Block/Buyffalo head cichlids :)
african(congo) cichlids that are more peaceful then rams!
a pair would be good

DD

I agree with the Angelfish suggestion. Not only are they happy in taller tanks, but they look great in them!!
Word of warning - many people have angels as community tank fish, which I completely disagree with. It was a trap I fell into as a newbie, and found out they are just as aggressive and belligerent as other cichlids, so be careful!
Plants are harder in a tall tank, 'cause the light doesn't penetrate as far.
There are plenty of crypts that do well in tall tanks, as they need less light than many plants. I don't know any of the variant names, but there is a tall, skinny, crincly leaved one that grows long, tall, elegant, and tough. They take about six months to establish, but once they start, the grow like mothers ... and my herd of marauding BNs just vacuum the algae off the leaves without doing any damage to the plants! Always a good test of toughness.

I might put a few of my angels in it then, I already have 12 other Angels in my 55 gallon.

:talktothehand: YEAH ANGELS LIKE LIVE FOOD AS WELL :feedtroll: WATCH THE COMMUNITY THING

:crybaby:

I would agree about the angel fish also. but only 2 in there. I would take 2 out of you 55, because with the 13 you have in there now when they get grown your tank will be overstocked. Angels get pretty big. About 10 inches and with 13 in your tank they won't have to much swimming room.

I understand that...

I'm keeping only 3 or 4 and giving the other ones to family members and lfs.