I just saw a lovely yet SMALL 5 1/2 GAL set up in a store for a reasonable price. OBVIOUSLY I won't shove goldfish in there but I thought that maybe I could get a small school of neon tetras (because I love their colors). I think they only grow to 1.5" so I'm guess that I could only get 3 (if using 1 inch per gallon rule) but I'd like to get 5 or 6. Would this be too overcrowded, should I look for a bigger tank??

Robyn

No id say that it will be great !, Just get some live plants and hideing places so there not stressed or anything.There going to be very happy.
Filtration and a heater is recomended aswell.

I agree with BO, a school of 6 should be fine. And like he says, all you need is a filter & heater you'll be fine with them! Good luck! (They were my first tropical - still got them!)

Having a 5.5 tank myself, I say that might be too many, unless you keep up a really nice cleaning routine and filtration system. I wouldn't go above four if I were to do it, but it definately can be done. I have no doubts that with a little effort it will great!

OH! i almost forgot these guys are one of the most sensitive tetras so you must be careful with water levels!!! and water temp.
I lost 10 in 2 weeks once because i wasn't watching water levels.

Thank you everyone! I went to another site and it said that they prefer to be in schools of six or more and that 10 gallons is the best size to go to. Maybe I can find an 8 gallons to put them in, I'd be much more comfortable to put six in an 8 gallon then a 5.5 gallon.

Seeing as I'm in the process of moving it won't be for a while. But I was also wondering whether or not you can use goldfish water to establish a tropical tank. Are the params too different to use the same water/filter to establish biomedia?

Robyn

I agree, that's pretty cramped. My neons got pretty big, about an inch high by almost 2 inches long. Always aim for as large of a tank as you can.

You could probably use filter media/decorations to cycle your tank, but there is always a worry about if the goldfish are carrying anything that might affect the tropicals, disease wise. I've heard that goldfish and tropicals each carry diseases that don't affect them, but will hurt the other type of fish. Not sure how true that is.

5.5 and gallon tanks aint bad but tetras look better if they have plenty of swimming space and in larger schools so aim for a bigger tank at least 10-29g.