Hey guys

I'm thinking about getting myself a Bi-Orb (seeing as I have run out of room for any more 'proper' tanks!), and I fancy keeping tropicals for a change. I'm just wondering what kinds I could have. I quite like the idea of having a shoal of fish, like Neon Tetras..... but having only kept goldies before I'm more used to my fish having distinct personalities!

The Bi-Orb holds about 8.5 US gallons and my water here is very hard with a pH of 8.0 - what fish would be suitable for those conditions and how many could I stock?

Any suggestions appreciated.

I don't think you could use neon tetras because they like their water a little bit acidic. But maybe they could adapt to your pH? Not certain on that. You'ld have to do some research on that.

Most fish can adjust well enough to that pH, but many neons from pet stores are pretty weak. Guppies would be good, but since there's really no room for babies, all males or females would be best. That would look great, a bunch of male guppies with their long pretty tails! I'd say 4 to 6 would be fine in there.

A betta might be cool in there... that's a lot of space for one betta, but you could fill a lot of the space with live plants.

I've got more ideas, but no more time right now, I'll write some more later!

Any small tetras would be fine in there provided you can put a submersible heater in there. Ive seen the tanks and am not sure one would fit…? Neons should be fine. They can adapt to a high pH. Most tetras are from acidic environments but are tank raised and therefore are used to a higher pH.

Glowlight tetras stay small and would be pretty, and so would black neon tetras. You coudl try pencilfish too and some kinds of rasboras. My friend has harlequin rasboras which he just loves!

I prefer goldies because they do have distinct personalities and that was hard to get used to with tropical fish. I also like fish that you can tell apart, unlike tetras. But since I got some different tropicals Ive really fallen in love with them. you'll probably get addicted too and keep looking for more ways you can fit tanks in your house!