I’m new. Anything I haven’t thought about?
So I’m new but I’m trying to do everything I can to make sure this goes right. I’m a very thorough person and I get my enjoyment out of going slow and getting things right. Here’s what I got so far.
I got a 20g long tank. Large tight lid. Heater w/digital thermostat. Hygger dual sponge filter all rigged up to air pump. Hygger led grow light.
Got the substrate in (controsoil) and I’m currently dark cycling the tank before I plant it. Jump started it with Fritz turbo start and put in some fish food to get ammonia going for bacteria. Keeping a daily log of PH ammonia nitrite and nitrate levels. And will plant once cycled with Monte Carlo grass carpet and some floating plants. With some dragon stone. I plan on letting the plants get settled in for 2-3 weeks before adding fish. I have shrimp safe liquid fertilizer that I plan on using in moderation (brand is thrive)
I plan on adding 5 amano shrimp, 5 kuhli loaches, 2-3 snails, and one African butterfly fish that will eat crickets. Bioactive cricket terrarium with crickets is below in photos. Once I have it planted I will start adding the fish. This is where I’m unsure.
•I don’t want to add them all at once or should I?
•What order should I add them? I was thinking butterfly last and supplement algae eaters with food if not enough in tank starting out?
•Should I have mystery snails or nerite snails? I don’t want to overload aquarium and I don’t want nerite snails to outcompete the amano shrimp for algae.
•I am aware that the African butterfly fish can eat the shrimp but with ample feeding and cover in tank they should be okay as long as I promote them to stay in respective water column zones?
Anything I haven’t thought of or have missed?