New 10 Gallon Tank

[allyjj810]

im starting a new freshwater tank and i was thinking about doing 5 black phantom tetras and 5 von rio flame tetras with various live plants. tetras are usually middle level and i have no high or low level fish, i thought about some guppies or gouramis but im afraid the tetras would fin nip. also, would this be overstocking a 10 gallon? Advert for another forum removed says it would be 93% stocking level which isnt terrible but i feel like it still might be a little much and id like a second opinion. thanks!

 

[Ch4rlie]

A 10 gallon tank is not really suitable for black phantoms - http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/hyphessobrycon-megalopterus/. That link basically say a 20 gallon tank.
 
Flame tetras - http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/hyphessobrycon-flammeus/- 15 Gallon tank
 
Gouramis - well one of the smaller gouramis being something like Honey Gouramis do best in something like a 15 gallon tank minimum, http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/trichogaster-chuna/
 
However, Guppies will be fine in a 10 gal. perhaps you may consider a Betta Splenden or microrasboras like Dwarf Rasboras, or perhaps Chilli Rasboras would be nice in a planted 10 gal - http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/boraras-brigittae/
 
 
One thing you must bear in mind when choosing fish for your tank, is to find out what your water readings are, hard or soft water, pH and hardness levels are all crucial in determing if your fish will thrive or not in your water type.
 
You can find out most of these if you search your local water authority online or do tests to determine what you have that would suit whichever fish you like that would suit a 10 gal tank.
 
One more thing, you may need to cycle this tank in order to have fish that will survive in your tank. basically means you need to grwo bacterias that will deal with ammonia which your fish will produce every day. have a read of this and would recommend you do a fishless cycle - Cycling Your First Fresh Water Tank
 
By the way, that particular site that gave you 93% stocking level is not a good site to go by at all, it tends to be rather unrealistic and there are too many variables for any site like this to be reliable.
 
Hope some of that advice will help you and welcome to the forum

 

[allyjj810]

A 10 gallon tank is not really suitable for black phantoms - http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/hyphessobrycon-megalopterus/. That link basically say a 20 gallon tank.
 
Flame tetras - http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/hyphessobrycon-flammeus/- 15 Gallon tank
 
Gouramis - well one of the smaller gouramis being something like Honey Gouramis do best in something like a 15 gallon tank minimum, http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/trichogaster-chuna/
 
However, Guppies will be fine in a 10 gal. perhaps you may consider a Betta Splenden or microrasboras like Dwarf Rasboras, or perhaps Chilli Rasboras would be nice in a planted 10 gal - http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/boraras-brigittae/
 
 
One thing you must bear in mind when choosing fish for your tank, is to find out what your water readings are, hard or soft water, pH and hardness levels are all crucial in determing if your fish will thrive or not in your water type.
 
You can find out most of these if you search your local water authority online or do tests to determine what you have that would suit whichever fish you like that would suit a 10 gal tank.
 
One more thing, you may need to cycle this tank in order to have fish that will survive in your tank. Basically means you need to grow bacterias that will deal with ammonia which your fish will produce every day. Have a read of this and would recommend you do a fishless cycle if you have not already done so - Cycling Your First Fresh Water Tank
 
By the way, that particular site that gave you 93% stocking level is not a good site to go by at all, it tends to be rather unrealistic and there are too many variables for any site like this to be reliable.
 
Hope some of that advice will help you and welcome to the forum

thank you!  ive thought about getting a betta but id rather have more than one fish in the tank and i know the male bettas can be aggresssive, i thought about doing a betta sorority, but i dont think that if 10 is big enough for that. and i know all about cycling too so that wont be a problem. thanks again! 

 

[juhason]

 

thank you!  ive thought about getting a betta but id rather have more than one fish in the tank and i know the male bettas can be aggresssive, i thought about doing a betta sorority, but i dont think that if 10 is big enough for that. and i know all about cycling too so that wont be a problem. thanks again! 
 

Actually bettas are generally very peaceful (there are a few rare rogue ones). I've had about 3 different ones and my sisters have had some too and all of them got along great with their tank mates. They are only aggressive to their own kind, or anyone they think is their own kind. For instance the large, flashy tail of a male guppy might confuse the betta. (however female guppies are usually ok). Just look for a compatible fish for 10 gallon, then search or ask if that fish will be compatible with a betta. That is of course if you want a betta.