Light in aquarium + algae eaters

Question
QUESTION: Hello , I just bought a 20G aquarium, ran it for 2days without the fish.
Please let me know for how long does the light in the aquarium needs to be ON for -- mollies + gouramis (2 each)
Please also suggest the best algae eating fish OTHER than a pleco

ANSWER: Hi Arun,

Congratulations on getting your new tank! How exciting! :]

The length/brightness of the light doesn't really depend on the fish, it depends on what type of liveplants you have. Some require strong/longer lighting whereas some only need a little. For your fish, it just needs to be in a consistant cycle. For example, turn the lights on when you wake up, turn it off an hour before going to sleep while the room light is on (that way in nature, it works like sunset), and turn it off when going to bed. I have more specific cycle: sunrise > roomlights on, aqua lights off > around 8 lights on > put "blue light" on around 8-9 at night > off around 10-11. It applies for all my 3 tanks.

Make sure your tank is cycled before you get your fish. You can either do fishless cycle or cycling with fish. Since you just got your aquarium, you must be excited to get fish, so I will give you an example of cycling with fish: Put just one molly in your tank and keep it that way for 4-6 weeks. The reason we cycle the tank is because when fish produce wastes, it also produces harmful bacteria: ammonia. You must build beneficial bacteria that "eats" harmful bacteria. I jsut explained in a simplist way possible; if you have any further question please ask me a follow up.

Plecos are interesting fish, but they do get pretty big and are not quitable for many aquariums (though they are one of my favorite algae eaters :]). Depending on what type of algae eater you want, I recommend either an Otocinclius, aka "Otto" catfish, or a Siamese algae eater. Ottos stay pretty small in size: 2"+. Siamese algae eaters get a bit bigger than that: around 4". Ottos are far less colorful, but since they are smaller, they are less likely to be noticed. Siamese algae eaters are much more colorful and are actually pretty. Dark, irredescent strip which goes along the side is very interesting. They also like to school, so they will be happy if you get 2 or more. Unlike plecos and other algae eaters; that stick to the wall of the aquarium and suck on it, these SAEs altually swim around the tank in schools, while doing one of the best cleaning jobs. They are only about 1" when you purchase them, and their growth rate seems to be a bit slow.

Let me know if you have any further questions, and have fun with your aquarium! XD

take care,
Odette

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the quick and detalied response Odette,
i will do as you said (molly for 4-6weeks and then SAE)

One more question please:
Whats the best way to check the pH-ammonia-nitrate-nitrite etc in the water? any good product out there?

Answer
Hi there Arun! again :]

The best way to check pH and bacteria level is to use test kits or test strips. They should be fairly easy to find in LFS since most of hobbyists use them. I use ammonia testing kit from ammonia and use test strips for everything else. Mardel makes "master test strips" which contain ph, nitrate, nitrite, water hardness, etc. I find Mardel's testing products most accurate and quick. Strips takes 1 min and kits for ammonia takes about 5 minutes. Very easy to follow :]]

One suggestion about your pH, though. Since mollys prefer higher pH (7.0-7.4) and gouramis prefer lower, more acidic pH (6.5-7.0), I suggest getting a "pH nuetral" which makes pH at 7.0. That way both your fish will be happy. and SAEs like more acidic water like gouramis. When adding fish after your your bacteria level reads at 0, add one at a time since adding too many fish at once may cause ammonia level to go higher. Your Nitrifiers won't be used to very much amount of bacteria if you have only one molly, so adding another fish will be doubling the ammonia level. Are you planning to get mollys from same sex? Otherwise, if you are planning to get a male and a female, it is best to get two/three females per male since the males always have love in mind and may harass female if only one if present. Just heads up :] and sexing mollys is very easy: look at the anal fin, and if it is pointed, it is male and if it is smooth, it is female.

Hopefully your aquarium will turn out well! I bet it will!

xoxo,
Odette