10 Gallon Ideas

[Shakim269]

I haven't gotten my 10g yet but I am wanting to have a set idea of what to stock it with.  I want something unique but at the same time, I know a 10g is too small for many fish.  I was thinking a dwarf gourami but I am concerned that it would be too small.  May stick with Bettas. 
 
Another thing is please don't tell me to go bigger.  I live in an apartment.  2nd story.  Don't want anything bigger.....yet.
Plus, I will be doing a full cycle once I get it.  NO FISH UNTIL CYCLED!  Believe me.  I wrote myself a handbook with ideas.  Just wanna get an opinion.  And other fish to go with a Betta/Gourami unless the normal pygmy cories are the norm.

 

[EllieJellyEllie]

I would have a pair of honey gourami and a shoal of small fish. Honey gourami come in 2 colors, red and well, honey. Then you could do a shoaling fish of some sort, not sure which though

 

[fluttermoth]

What are the dimensions of your tank, OP? (some fish need more swimming space than others of the same size)

Is your water hard or soft? (it's better to get fish that will like the water you have)

Will you mostly viewing the tank from close up or far away? (some fish have more subtle patterns, best appreciated close up. If you're looking at the tank from further away, you might want slightly larger or more boldly coloured or marked fish)

Have you seen any fish you like the look of, or do have any particular colour you like?

How will you decorate the tank? lots of plants (real or not?), bogwood, rocks? Sand or gravel?

I know it sounds like a lot of questions, but all those things will affect which fish will be best for your set up and we can help you pick the right ones

 

[Malex530]

What are the dimensions of your tank, OP? (some fish need more swimming space than others of the same size)

Is your water hard or soft? (it's better to get fish that will like the water you have)

Will you mostly viewing the tank from close up or far away? (some fish have more subtle patterns, best appreciated close up. If you're looking at the tank from further away, you might want slightly larger or more boldly coloured or marked fish)

Have you seen any fish you like the look of, or do have any particular colour you like?

How will you decorate the tank? lots of plants (real or not?), bogwood, rocks? Sand or gravel?

I know it sounds like a lot of questions, but all those things will affect which fish will be best for your set up and we can help you pick the right ones

 
Also include how much you want to spend on them, because that is a big part as well. 

 

[bluesword23516]

I wouldn't do any dwarf gouramis.  They still get pretty big even though they are "dwarf" versions. 

 

[Shakim269]

Sorry everyone, got busy with a lot of stuff.  I have been in the market for a bigger aquarium.  I am hopefully gonna get some dwarf puffers (pea puffers, min. gallon tank of 15 for 3 or 4) and a few otos.  I haven't exactly figured out if that is my final decision and have been looking on craigslist to see what else I can find.  30 gallons in the max in my apartment and its not to big for me since I am gonna get it going again.  I have looked into gourami's but I want something with a little more color and stands out if I decide against the puffers.  I like the puffers because they are unique and have quite a personality.  And in case you all are worried I am not prepared, this is what I know about them:
 
1) Gravel must be a soft sand in order to protect their skin from any scratches or cuts.  Very delicate.
2) Even though they grow to an 1" or 1 1/2" it is best to give them at least 5 gallons per puffer due to risk of high aggression.  They are territorial.
3) Eat live/frozen blood worms, brine shrimp, and snails.  Will attack other shrimp as food source too.
4) Are known to do well with otos.
5) Must have a heavily planted tank with plenty of areas to explore.  Very intelligent fish and can get easily bored.
6) Snails are to help keep beak trimmed down since it grows through its life.
 
Hope that is everything.  Been researching a lot to get an idea.  But will gladly take others.  Yay!
 
Shakim

 

[Shakim269]

OKAY EVERYONE! I got my 10 gallonn tank today and its all set up with conditioner amd the bacteria stuff. I am letting it run (will add plants later) so I am still thinking about stocking. Its a, if I remember right, 20L x 10D x 12H. So its a classic glass rectangle marine land aquarium with LED white and blue (nightlight) lights. I wanna do plants but I may stick with all silk cause i may not be able to get the appropriate lights quite yet. Anyways, help a sister out! Lmao jk

 

[brittgs]

You could go with low tech plants that would work with your lights. I really like the look of live plants and my fish seem to enjoy cruising around them.

 

[the_lock_man]

OKAY EVERYONE! I got my 10 gallonn tank today and its all set up with conditioner amd the bacteria stuff.

 
What's the bacteria stuff? If it is a live-bacteria product, you will probably need ammonia as well. Have you fishless cycled a tank before?

 

[Shakim269]

I have never fishless cycled, let alone heard of it, HOWEVER, I have been researching and I plan on buying ammonia hear in the next day or two.  (Need more money, -.-')
 
I am also going to invest in a API Master Kit (is that the name) so I have accurate readings.  And to the_lock_man, I researched what I got with my tank and realized that I have a pointless bacteria product....period.  The Stress Zyme thing.  Read that it's absolutely pointless so I will be going for Tetra Safe start or actually, plan on going to a....what do you guys call it....LFS? (still learning lingo, may be wrong) today to maybe get some gravel/media to jump start my tank.  As well as get a water testing of my tap so I know what I am dealing with.  I think I have hard water cause the strips I have said I had a reading of 120ppm for GH and 120ppm for KH with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0 (color was in between....ugh!)
 
I have a conditioner that I have read is a good one so I may stick with it or just go with Prime, I hear thats the go to conditioner.

 

[Ch4rlie]

Hello

Sounds like you're off to a good start, asking advice!
Always glad to see a beginner asking all sorts of questions before actually buying any stocking

Now, your questions, Stress Zyme will do precious little for cycling a tank really, you'll be better off with any of the three recommended suggestions.

1- mature media. If you know of any friends or family who has an established tank, asking for some media from this would be a great start for your tank. Filter sponge, ceramic, and gravel one or all three of these to seed your tank are usually the best method.
Do note, if you do get permission to take some media, take no more than a third of media available otherwise established filter/tank may go into a mini cycle.

2- a bottle of Dr Tim's One and Only Nitrfying Bacteria is recommended, usually can be ordered online.

3- a bottle of Tetra Safe Start. Quite a few LFS do sell this, also available online as well.

Those 3 methods tend to give best chances for a good start to a Fishless Cycle on your tank.

API Master Freshwater Test kit is a popular choice amongst many of us. So that usually contains tests for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.
Also buying that test kit online for a new pack tends to be cheaper than stores. Do check the expiry dates if possible before purchasing.

Seachem Prime is a popular choice for water dechlorinator.
It is fairly concentrated stuff, so do be aware of safe dosages for your tank.
I personally use this stuff too.

And yes, you're correct LFS is for Local Fish Store.

kH and gH tests, most LFS can test this for you, saves buying the kit really. Take a sample of tap water that has been resting 24 hours in a container or glass, that will give best result if what your water hardness/softened is like.

Hope that helps!

 

[Shakim269]

ABSOLUTELY! THANKS SO MUCH! And I do have water thats been sitting around. Go figure.

 

[SamsFishaquatic]

Just stick with guppies or goldfish. Something simple that still looks nice in a very small aquarium.

 

[Ch4rlie]

Just stick with guppies or goldfish. Something simple that still looks nice in a very small aquarium.

 
Would not recommend goldfish for a 10 gallon tank. 
 
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/417799-goldfish-for-beginners/

 

[Shakim269]

Goldfish are not good for 10 gallons.  I have read that they need very large tanks (20gs I think) cause of the high bio-load.  Now I have been cycling for a few days and finally got a Master Kit today.  I tested my tank (I started stability today out of curiousity to see if it would work.  I am impatient, haha) and it said:
 
ammonia at 0.25ppm
nitrite at 0
nitrates between 10ppm and 20ppm (to close in color to tell)
 
I know I am not close to being done.  I will check it tomorrow.  Giving the tank some ammonia too in case stability works knowing it needs something to feed upon.
Also got a hood for plants and bought a plant (Anacharis.  Something like that) to see if I am doing this right as well as some root tabs for food.  I will see if I can do this right.  But I will definitely get something a little bushier.  Found a LFS that provides some moss on a lava rock.  Cool beans.  And their tanks are really awesome so may be able to cycle even faster.  Will keep ya updated.  YAY!  Cant wait for fish!