How Long Should I Wait...

[jsmathieson]

I just lost all my guppies . I still have 3 corys in a 10 gal tank and they seem to be doing fine. All my water levels are normal. Should I wait for awhile to get new fish. Do I need to do something else with the tank before I put new fish in? And what are some good hardy fish to put in there?

 

[oneponygirl]

I'm by far one of the experts around here but I'm inclined to think that you'll be hardpressed to find something that can fit into only 10 gallon with 3 albino corys. Pretty much all your allowable inches are sucked up by them. Maybe something that can go solo and doesn't get too big like my dwarf gourami??? I know someone will correct me if I'm wrong. As for how long to wait, I'm not sure, someone will let you know I'm sure.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Just so long as ammonia and nitrites are 0 and nitrates are under 60, I'd say you could add another fish. But, just in case, I would do a water change beforehand, if you are afraid of something going wrong.

I'd suggest a betta, since corydoras and a betta strike me as being a nice combo.

You could also go for more cories, since an all-cory tank is fun to look at.

 

[Torrean]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...97&#entry979097

this is a pretty good thread about what goes well in a ten gallon. Readfarther down. There is another link to a website about small species of fish. If you have trouble finding any of these fish ask your lfs if they can special order them for you. I had an lfs special order some female dwarf gourami's for me since I was having trouble finding them. Best of luck and make sure your tank is cycled before adding any more fish. =)

 

[jsmathieson]

how do I cycle my tank with fish in it? I know that sounds dumb... I am not really even sure what cycling means... I have had a hard time with this tank and I am learning as I go... I had no idea how to take care of a tank when I sharted... This forum has been so helpful

 

[Tempestuousfury]

cycling: conversion of ammonia (a nitrogenous waste found in urine, fecal matter, and rotting food and fish) converted to nitrites by beneficial bacteria. I'm not sure, but I believe this might be more toxic to fish than ammonia... Nitrites, in turn, are turned to nitrates by another set of ammonia. nitrates are the least toxic to fish (unless in high concentrations). In fact, nitrates are usually found in tapwater in small concentrations.

The bacteria mentioned earlier are nitrosomus and nitrobacter. Not sure which does what, and I think I remember reading in some post that the names for these bacteria have changed or were mislabeled to begin with. *shrugs*

Pretty much cycling with fish is merely a matter of (at least for you, sicne you haev added fish) doing water changes so the ammonia and nitrite levels don't get too high, since high levels of these = dead fish = no new ammonia for the cycle to continue.

I probably confused you more than I helped... imagine how the customers who come in for fishy advice feel when I try to help them.

 

[oneponygirl]

Basically what he was saying is that with fish your tank will cycle itself. You just have to keep an eye on your levels using a test kit. Make sure that you do water changes as need if your ammonia and nitrites especially get high but even nitrates can harm fish if over 40 PPM (at least I think it's 40 that you don't want to cross). Depending on how many fish etc your tank will eventually reach a balance to where your ammonia and nitrites stay at 0 and your nitrates are minimal. Some fish are very sensitive and bad to have in your tank while cycling others some people will actually buy to cycle their tank and then return once it's done and get the fish they want. Bottom dwellers are usually pretty sensitive but I've not had albino corys like yours so I can't say for sure about them.

 

[mark.w.jones]

According to my limited research on web and in Baensch book, albino corys may reach an overall adult size of 2.5inches. So 3 of them is around 7 inches of fish in total. Assuming your tank is 10 US gallons, it is big enough for 10 adult inches of fish so to be honest you havnt got a lot of room for anything else. Just 3 inches or so. There are smaller species of cory which are better suited to a 10 gallon tank. Pygmaeus is the smallest and they only reach 1" when fully grown, hastatus get to around 1.5inches. Not much use to you now thou

Be careful when considering the article suggested by torrean as it contains some fish that are unsuitable for beginners. e.g. The hatchet fish.

My advice would be ideally that you take back your current corys and get 3 pygmaeus instead. This will give you more options.

If youre sticking with them I would suggest maybe 1 male and 2 female Sparkling gouramies (trichopsis pumilus. These are pictured in torrean's post.

For your info. this article on fishless cycling is great but is no use to you now because you have already added your fish. Try out the add and wait method if you get another tank

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...3861&hl=methods