Which shops are you ordering plants and fish from - both would be able to send you some “cycled” filter media if so inclined, so I’d ask
Even a small amount of “starter culture” is useful
From your previous thread where you discuss the Fluval Flex 123
though it is the last one and is being used on display
- was the tank just on display out of the box, or actually running as a fish/plants display tank?
Phosphate thread from Tuesday indicate tank is already running - I’m assuming it’s scaped with substrate, stone and wood in place
I’m going to be using inert black aquarium sand for the substrate, also due for delivery this week. I will be seeding the substrate with plant fertiliser and will top it up with root tabs when needed. I will also be dosing TNC Complete. The fertiliser is also due for delivery this week as is the doser that I will be using.
A couple of considerations with this Flex
- the actual footprint for fish is significantly smaller than the actual tank dimensions (unless you’ve removed the filter section and are using an external filter?)
- lighting is very low on this particular Flex (Fluval makes the oddest choices - while significantly reducing the lighting on this Flex, they continue to promote it with box photos of thriving plants that are unlikely to grow (in this manner) with the stock lighting
)
Fluval Flex profile page
https://fluvalaquatics.com/us/flex-32/
Given this I’ve changed my mind from what I initially intended to write, I suggest focusing on plant growth, then adding fish once plants are established and actively growing
I think you can easily make the fish numbers work, even adding all fish in one go - just begin with smaller juvenile fish and do daily 25% - 50% water changes the first week, then alternate day etc
(I use Seachem Ammonia Alert if unsure about the bioload capacity)
I would add at least 10-12 shrimp, they really are MUCH happier in a group
(I’m confused how the minimum 10-12 shrimp “requirement” has vanished from shrimpkeeping - it’s no different than selling/buying 3 tetras etc
Anubias coffeefolia
Anubias nana petite
Anubias barteri var. nana 'Pinto'
Nymphaea rubra
Cryptocoryne legroi
Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Green Gecko'
Ludwigia sp. Mini super red
Ludwigia arcuata
Java fern petite
Hygrophila polysperma rosanervig
Crinum Calamistratum
Spiky moss
Helanthium tenellum
Fissidens fontanus
Bucephalandra biblis
Bucephalandra caterina
Bucephalandra sekadau
I suggest adding L sessiliflora as a fast growing (very tolerant indicator) plant - you can leave this in its pot if you don't want to incorporate into your scape - if you observe growth with long internodes or poor growth, I’d increase the stock lighting
The Blue Rams and Dwarf Gourami are the only “difficult” fish, intensive breeding has created fish stock that is much more sensitive than wild caught versions, and both have significant instance of (relatively species specific) iridovirus
As you won’t see the fish beforehand, and there may be some unexpected shipping stress, I suggest having some basic medications on hand
eSHa Exit (external parasites) - if possible find a formalin/malachite green treatment
eSHa 2000 (bacterial infections, mostly effective for external bacterial challenge)
eSHa ndx (internal parasites including some worms)