Advice on my current plans for 10 gal

[Winzzy]

This is my first tank and this is what I have or have plans for so far:

10 gal tank (sides and back tinted with a semi reflective dark tint)
10 lbs of black gravel
10 lbs lace rock (awsome rock for caves)
1 little lava rock
no plants
penguin mini (biowheel)
still need to buy a therm. (I live in Phx, AZ so I am thinking I can get away without a heater till winter)

Wanting to do fish cycling with a dwarf gourami

tank will have:
1 male Dwarf Gourami (Cycle)
2 Otocinclus (maybe cycle after abit depending on how hardy they are)
6 Neon Tetras (or Cardinal) (to be added much later)

Tell me what you think!

 

[ade1975]

I wouldn't use any of those fish to cycle an aquarium as they are all a bit sensitive to water quality, especially the ottos. You would do better with some neon tetras as they are tough as old boots, look great, are very cheap, and are really peaceful little fish that have very little impact on water quality. HTH

 

[cichlid_freak]

I always thought that neons were quite picky about water conditions. Now, Cardinal Tetras are more hardy and show more vibrant colors, IMHO. They look almost exactly like neons, but they show more red and blue, and less clear scales. They do get bigger though. If I were to use any tetra to cycle with, I would go with Cardinals.

 

[Winzzy]

Hmmm someone else gave me advice to use the gourami.

I purchased him this morning (along with 6 ghost shrimp)

I guess I will just have to be very careful with my cycle..