Fish + Plant + Filter + Substrate Ideas For 10 Gallon Tank?

[~RaJ~]

I have a 10 gallon tank, but i don't have any substrate or a filter. So i would like to know what i can do with it, and what's the best fish, plant, filter and substrate for the tank.

 

[fluttermoth]

There are lots of little fish available nowadays that are suitable for small tank like yours.

Here's few to give you some ideas;

One betta or dwarf or honey gourami, with a shoal of eight or 10; green neons, ember tetras, mosquito rasboras, celestial pearl danios, or any other fish that grows to one inch or less, adult size (not the size they are in shop! Don't forget they'll be babies!)

Or you could have 6 or 8 pygmy corydoras or otocinclus.

I'd recommend a sand sustrate, as it's cheaper and easier to keep clean than gravel, and a small, internal power filter ould be the best choice, IMO.

Can I also point you in the direction of the beginner's resource centre (the link is in my sig) which has some great articles on the nitrogen cycle and cycling a tank. It is vital that you understand those things before you even think about getting fish, as it is how you keep your new fish alive and healthy

 

[~RaJ~]

Thanks

 

[minnnt]

Unipac sand is excellent be sure to check it out. I will always use it from now on! They do it in a range of natural colours and looks excellent in any tank setup. I would go with a black background, dark substrate, some natural bogwood with some anubias and java fern tied to it. Also add some Java Moss in there somewhere, maybe to a rock or another piece of bogwood. If you wanted something different then look at redmoor wood or tree roots. Excellent for creating an interesting scape. Ember Tetra's would look excellent in this kind of setup!

 

[minnnt]

Also forgot to say that i would try and source a stubby heater as to not take up as much room. Also look for a small filter from Aqua One or similar, simple sponge filter inside, but brilliant for running a tank of this size.

 

[comocrayfish5]

if you're still looking for a filter i reccamend the Aqua-Tech 5-15 gallon filter from
walmart. it is one of THE BEST filters i have.
for fish: for get the 1gal= 1 inch of fish
you should get:
1 coreycat
5 platies
4 guppies (remember the2 females to 1 male *about*) this
it so the females aren't overwhelmed
3 mollies or swordtails
or you could replace one group with neon tetras
make sure to clean the tank 1 or 2 times a month
if the tank looks full of fish (like my example) then your good
use you're common sence!!

have fun

 

[fluttermoth]

All Corydoras sp catfish are very, very social; you should never keep one on its own.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

I would recommend a cheap HOB filter for a 10gal

 

[minnnt]

All Corydoras sp catfish are very, very social; you should never keep one on its own.

+1! The bare bare minimum you should keep is 3, but they still aren't as happy as they are in a group of 5 or 6+

Also your suggested stocklist seems very "busy"

 

[~RaJ~]

Ok Thanks Everyone

 

[Louiseness]

Swordtails and mollies are far too big and active for a 10 gal IMO - they do get to around 4-5 inches after all

Like everyone else says, a betta would be great. Endlers are gorgeous too (lots of great bright colours and patterns - I have them in my 50L/11 Gal) or chilli rasbora are teeny tiny and really pretty.

 

[comocrayfish5]

oh yeah i forgot how big mollies grow... i never had them. bht
come on!... a betta? yes it would have a lot of room but get creative! a community tank is relaxing!

 

[Louiseness]

oh yeah i forgot how big mollies grow... i never had them. bht
come on!... a betta? yes it would have a lot of room but get creative! a community tank is relaxing!

I didn't necessarily mean a betta on its own No reason why they can't be part of a community tank as long as you choose tankmates that complement it (but I'm sure you know that!).

 

[~RaJ~]

What plants are the best for a betta?

 

[Kelly-Jo]

if you're still looking for a filter i reccamend the Aqua-Tech 5-15 gallon filter from
walmart. it is one of THE BEST filters i have.
for fish: for get the 1gal= 1 inch of fish
you should get:
1 coreycat
5 platies
4 guppies (remember the2 females to 1 male *about*) this
it so the females aren't overwhelmed
3 mollies or swordtails
or you could replace one group with neon tetras
make sure to clean the tank 1 or 2 times a month
if the tank looks full of fish (like my example) then your good
use you're common sence!!

have fun

I wouldn't choose this stocking, it's too stocked for that tank size. You will also need to clean it more than 1-2 times a month. Weekly water changes are in order to begin with, possibly every 4-5 days if needed. Smaller tanks need water changes more often as the slightest bit of ammonia or nitrite has a greater effect in a smaller volume of water.