10 Gallon Set-Up

[slingham64]

Hey Everyone,

For Valentines Day my girlfriend got me a 10 gallon Tropical Tank Set-Up from Wal-Mart an in just two weeks, I've basically become obsessed with everything to do with it. But I'm still a beginner so I'm lookin for some info. Near where I live there is a fish store that I've been getting my stuff from, I've got the filter an heater goin, I cycled my tank with three goldfish, and two days ago I bought 2 Tiger Barbs, not really knowing that they were semi-aggressive, the one goldfish left from cycling the tank has now passed from the constant pestering by the tiger barbs. So i did a little research an found that it's better to get them in odd numbers, so i got a green tiger barb yesterday and things seem to be going much better. The questions i have are:

-Why do they hide in the back of the tank, I had heard they were a mid-level fish but as soon as I turn the hood light on they're hiding behind the rocks an log i have in the tank.

-How many times should I clean the tank? An what are the best methods of cleaning?

-I've been looking around and doing some research an for my next fish i was thinking a Cory Cat, would this be a good choice?

-What would the ideal 10 gallon set up be in your opinion? I'm open to anything.

Well hopefully I'm not making myself look too stupid with these questions, but I'm really appreciative of any advice anyone can give. Thanks!

[Rue]

Hhmm...

First off...welcome to the wonderful world of aquariums...it's a good bug to catch!

2. You'll have to decide whether you want goldfish (cold water) or tropical (warm water fish)...the two DO NOT mix...Goldfish need cold water...so NO heater...they'll die if the water gets too warm...

3. If you decide on goldfish, you'll need a larger tank...as they grow, they should have 10-20 gallons per fish, although when they're babies they can do with less...

4. If you decide to on tropical fish, you'll need to decide whether you want the easy-going tropicals or the semi-aggressive tropicals...again...the two types rarely mix successfully...

5. For the tropicals, the rule of thumb is one gallon of water for one inch of fully-grown fish...so for little fish, like neon tetras or zebra danios you can have 10 fish in a 10 gallon tank...

This is very basic...there are many other factors to consider...but it will get you started...

As far as cleaning the tank...here's a short list:

1. Top up evaporated water weekly, or more often if your house is very dry and the tank evaporates more quickly...

2. Every two weeks do a partial water change. First unplug the heater. Then scrub off any algae (might take a while before you get any). Then take your gravel vacuum and vacuum the gravel...take out 25-30% of the tanks water while you vacuum. Replace the water you took out with dechlorinted clean water roughly the same temp. as what's in your tank. Add your good bacteria (Cycle or some other brand) to the tank. Replentish your salt if you're adding salt to your tank (low levels for freshwater tanks).

4. Every 4-6 weeks rinse out your sponge filter in the dirty water you took out of the tank. Do NOT use chlorinated water. It will kill the good bacteria living in the sponge. Change your charcoal and/or phosphate filter (or anything else that needs changing) if needed. DO NOT change all filter elements at the same time...always leave 1 or 2 old elements for every new one. Alternate when you change them.

[Faith_at_Large]

For starters, you can't keep goldfish and tropical fish in the same tank and expect good results. Goldfish are a coldwater species and will live longer if you keep them in an unheated tank. Tiger Barbs are tropical fish and will live longer in a heated tank, unless you live someplace warm all year round. Goldfish, when treated well will live up to a ten years or more, and will grow several inches in length. As such, they are not good fish to keep in your ten gallon tank (I have a Wal-Mart ten gallon tank as well), unless you plan on moving them to a larger tank or pond as they grow.

If you want to keep tropical fish, you should do a little more research on fish compatibility. Of course, with a ten gallon you are limited and may wish to maintain a species tank with just Tiger Barbs. I don't have any Tigers, but they are a beautiful fish. You will want to add an appropriate heater for the size tank you have - I think mine is a 50w, but the guys here can guide you. You will also want a thermometer to check your temperature regularly - I recommend a floating type that mounts to the inside of your aquarium with a suction cup. Note that if your Wal-Mart tank is the Regent type, you can buy replacement filters from other stores as well under the manufacturer's name - I forget what it is, but it isn't hard to find out. I can post it later if you need it, when I am at home.

Good luck.

[Glasstapper]

Well, you've already got some questions answered, I see. The advice above is good advice, and I would have said the same thing. As for your other questions:

-How often to clean the tank? Well, that depends. If you go with goldfish, they are very messy fish (they poop a lot!), then you would need to change out about 40% of their water once a week. If you go with tropicals (small ones considering your tank size) then neons, tiger barbs, guppies, etc. don't poop as much, and generally, you may only need to change out 20% of your water once a week. The best way (and cheapest) for you to perform your water changes would be to purchase a siphon from your pet store. Basically, it's just a plastic hose with a larger, wider plastic piece on the end. You start the siphon by placing the larger end in the water and rapidly move it up and down until the suction starts. Bury the suction end into various parts of the gravel to clean the waste (only suction out the gravel when your tank is cycled).

-Your tiger barbs are generally better, hide less often, nip tankmates' fins less often, and show more personality/happiness in larger schools of about 8. Keep in mind they grow to about 3 inches, so they will have to be the only ones in your tank because of room. Unfortunately, a 10 gallon tank can really only house a maximum of 4, so that's something to consider when stocking.

-Cory catfish also do better in schools of 6 or more, so if you have less than that, be prepared for them to hide a lot and not show much personality.

-My stocking suggestion to you? I think you should go with small, hardy, and colorful fish. Example: 3 guppies and 2 swordtails. They breed very easily, so if you don't want to be overrun with unwanted babies, get all males of each species. Your guppies will swim at the top levels, and the swordtails will be at all levels. They come in a variety of colors, and it's ok to mix different colors. With a stock like this, you would be good with only changing out 20% of your water once a week, and don't forget the heater.

I hope this helps you, and welcome to this wonderful hobby. This site has proved extremely helpful to me, as well as many others. :D

[slingham64]

Thank you for the advice. As far as goldfish vs. tropical fish, the goldfish all died, I'm assuming through the cycling process. The only reason I had them was because the pet store gave them to me an said to use them to cycle it.

I do have the heater hooked up and going, i've been trying to keep it between 75-78 degrees, kinda tough it seems, but i think it's just a matter of finding the perfect setting on the heater.

[Drumachine09]

5. For the tropicals, the rule of thumb is one gallon of water for one inch of fully-grown fish...so for little fish, like neon tetras or zebra danios you can have 10 fish in a 10 gallon tank...

Really, there is no "rule" for how much stock you can have in a tank. One inch per gallon is a guideline (kinda like the speed limit.) You wouldnt put a 10" fish in a 10 gallon tank, nor would you put 20 .5" fish in a 10 gallon tank. The best way to decide is to ask someone with experiance, which i can see that you have already done.

Corydoras are a very peaceful, usefull, and fun to watch species. I recommend them for beginners, as they are extremely hardy.

[Rue]

..."rule of thumb"...same thing as "guideline"...it just gives one a place to start...

Otherwise it's overwhelming for beginners...

:D

[Chrona]

Technically a good place to start is like 3 inches of fish for a 10 gallon. The less crowded it is in there, the better the water quality and thus the ease of care...heh

[Severus]

I would also recommend a hardy tropical species to start off with. Danios, guppys, swordtails, platys, etc... As for water changes i would do one per week and take out no more than 25% of the water at one time. You can slowly work your way up to taking more out. I do about 50% weekly.

Hint: get a python

[Chrona]

I would also recommend a hardy tropical species to start off with. Danios, guppys, swordtails, platys, etc... As for water changes i would do one per week and take out no more than 25% of the water at one time. You can slowly work your way up to taking more out. I do about 50% weekly.

Hint: get a python

He means a Python gravel vacuum...lol

[cocoa_pleco]

rule of thumb is one inch per fish per gallon of water. This applies for fish 3 inches and under, because you cant put a 10 inch fish in a 20g, it wouldnt be able to turn around

[Severus]

He means a Python gravel vacuum...lol

haha, yea i probably should have put that

[Faith_at_Large]

If you have the same type of Ten Gallon set up as my Wal-Mart special (the Regent), you will probably want to wrap some foam filter material around the intake slotted basket at the bottom to keep smaller fish or fance fins from getting sucked into it (not necessarily through it). I found that the Fluval 2, pack of 4, filter foams fit nicely (use one at a time) and I used the elastics from the bags that I brought my fish home in, to secure it (two elastics - one for around the slotted section, and one more to keep it closed underneath).

I expect that most back-mounted filters with intake tubes must have a similar problem. I replace the filter foams when they get dirty. It is interesting to see how fast they get filled up - mine is currently emerald green from the algae that my filter has been pulling out of the water. Usually my foams get brown and yucky.

As for species, as you may have guessed, I like Zebra Danios and Platys. They are hardy and get along well.