stocking suggestions?

[~Erik3.8.07~]

I got a 10 gallon tank halfway through its cycle any suggestions as to what i can put in it to have a great friendly peaceful community? I have a dalmation molly in a 6 gallon tank, i had more but other 2 came out of pet store sick (wont be goin there ever again) but im not sure if i want to move him over and make the 6 a quarantine/ breeder tank or keep him there and stock both tanks. What are ur guys suggestions? i kinda like schooling fish and may go out and get a 3rd tank to make quarantine if i need to :thumb:

also any fish that can be put in while the tank is still cycling?

[freshwaterfishlover]

Good for that size that school. Neon Tetras, Cardinal Tetras. Also that can do good in that size. Betta and cories

[~Erik3.8.07~]

are there any good tank mates for tetras? schooling or not, dont matter rly want a nice community with as many different fish as i can (too bad my size is so limited at the moment )

[Drumachine09]

corydoras are wonderful little fish. I suggest albinos.

[~Erik3.8.07~]

i just googled corydora and just realized, i already had one (so thats what there called lol) i got him a month ago to help keep the bottom clean

[SkarloeysMom]

If you only have one cory you might want to get a couple more to keep him company. Think hard before getting guppies...the eat and poop a lot. I think dwarf gouramis would be cool. Not sure how many you could have in a 10g though.

[gm72]

Ditto on the corydoras. You won't see their true personalities until you have at least a pair, preferably more. Makes sense if you think about it. I mean, I wouldn't want to live alone for my entire life!

Tetras, small ones like neons, are a great addition to a tank that size. As you already mentioned, you are limited based solely on your size. With over-filtration you could overstock by a bit, but ONLY if you are experienced with fish keeping and are willing to keep up on maintenance without lapse.

I'm thinking 3 corys, 4 neon tetras, and 2 dwarf gouramis. PROVIDED you have very good filtration and you keep up on your weekly water changes. With stocking like that I'd like to see an Aquaclear 30 or 50 on that tank and expect 40-50% water changes weekly. Would be a cool tank.

Hmmm, MTS anyone?

[~Erik3.8.07~]

well i dont have the 30 or 50 filter. I have a 20 whisper and another 10 whisper i could attach to it would that be enough? or would it be better to get all that and put the 2 dwarfs in the 6 gallon and keep the rest in the 10?

[gm72]

You've got some good options. I would probably split them up. I'm not confident that the dual Whispers would be enough filtration on there. I mean, you'd maybe right on the edge of what the biofilter could handle. That could just be me, too. I like to overkill everything. Bigger heaters than are necessary mean they don't have to work as long therefore prolonging their lives. Bigger filters means better and more stable water quality means healthier and happier fish.

Not to mention that the dwarf gouramis would be very happy together in a 6 gallon.

[~Erik3.8.07~]

alright than i think im gona go with gettin another corydora to keep mine happy, 3 or 4 tetras, and 2 more dalmation mollies to keep the one i got happy for the 10, and 2 gouramis for the 6 and then i'll get the 30 aqua filter and just continue my weekly water changes:c12:

lol im gettin excited cant wait till the cycle is completely done :hmm3grin2orange:

[gm72]

Just be patient though. We all get so excited when we have a new tank and being overly zealous can lead to disaster. Patience will reward you later, trust me!

[~Erik3.8.07~]

thx for the advice:11:

[gm72]

Sure, no problem. We all get anxious, and most of us have learned the hard way that patience is indeed a virtue to enable success in your aquatic adventures!

[~Erik3.8.07~]

ya i learned that too when my goldfish died =( but i am much more experienced and knowledgeable because of it =)

[~Erik3.8.07~]

i might have a new plan, i just counted all my spare change and i have over 80$ plus the 50 i already had so i might just get a new 20 gallon tank.

my question is can i take the already cycled water from the 10 and put it in the 20 (adding what i need of course) and put fish in it right away?

of course i'll get a new heater and filter and everything to go with it.

[gm72]

Doing so would do you no good. You still need to cycle the tank. The beneficial bacteria you need are not free-floating, they are colonized on the gravel, plants, and decorations, but more so on the filter itself.

You should "seed" the new tank by moving some decorations, a filter pad or sponge from the existing tank, or by hanging some gravel in a stocking in the new tank. Do a fishless cycle, you'll be much happier as will be your fish and you'll be up and running in less than 2 weeks.

[~Erik3.8.07~]

if i were to move the filter with the bacteria already on it and run it along with the new filter would that work well enough that the fish can survive well and healthy? i already planned to move the decorations over too

[~Erik3.8.07~]

nvrmnd im just gonna not take that chance and just seed the tank and let it cycle properly

[gm72]

Fishless cycle. Patience, grasshopper, patience.

Just FYI, here's what I do when I add a new tank:
1. Clean it thoroughly.
2. Fill with water.
3. Add rinsed gravel.
4. Add heater, set, turn it on.
5. Wait for heater to become stable with targeted temp.
6. Set up filters, add media and pre-filter from an already established tank. In your case, you may just be adding decorations and hanging gravel from an established tank.
7. Begin fishless cycling instructions.

By doing this your fish will be SO much more happy and healthy, trust me.

[~Erik3.8.07~]

hey at least i do that part right. thats pretty much exactly what i did when i set up the 10 and 6 gallon :9:

[gm72]

Precisely. Good job following safe practices for the benefit of your pets. Great, just great.

[YaYgoldFish]

Err yeah, on the dwarf gourami thing. Make sure you dont get 2 males or they kill each other. No kidding.

[gm72]

False. I have kept two male dwarf gouramis in a 10 gallon tank with zero problems. Your mileage may vary, but it is possible.

[~Erik3.8.07~]

but if i get 1 male and 1 female dwarf gourami is there a high chance of them mating?

[gm72]

If they have ideal conditions, yes, definitely.

[SkarloeysMom]

About the dwarf gouramis...i read on the gourami forum that they can be less hardy than the regular sized ones and that its best to wait until a tank is well established before added them. Anyone else have this experience?

[gm72]

I have, yes. My dwarfs are much more sensitive to...well, to everything really. Agreed.

[~Erik3.8.07~]

they should be ok in the 6 gallon tank tho. Its been through the cycle and ive had fish in there for nearly 2 months now with no problems

[gm72]

Totally agreed. They should be absolutely fine.

[~Erik3.8.07~]

thx guys u've all been a lotta help and i greatly appreciate it:11: