New 10g tank

[MaDDog1281]

I just set up another 10g tank since my stand has 2 shelves(1 tank on top and one on the bottom), I figured for about $40 I can add another tank to it. I have 3 diamond tetra's, 4 tiger barbs, 2 blue rams and a pleco in the top one. The other one I set up today and will run for a week till next weekend before I add a few fish. This tank I just want some livebearers. Probably platy's and guppies. What do you guys think? I want only males though so I don't get babies. Maybe swords too. I will probably get 3 guppies and 3 platys, and 2 swords.

Also got a 55g and a 29g. I prefer smaller tanks though. The 55g is a lot of work and all I have is 2 fish in it. The 29g isn't too bad though. I would like to get rid of the 55g when the fish in it die. I have 1 goldfish that is really big. I have had it about 3 years. It was a feeder fish and was raised in an outdoor pond. Now its about a foot long or more. There is also a koi in there too. Anyone know how long they live? I know its under the wrong topic, but I didn't wanna write 2 separate posts.

Thanks

 

[Annastasia]

Platy and Swordtail males are usually pretty aggressive with each other. I wouldn't recommend keeping either Platy males or Swordtail males in there. Too much agression, not much room to get away, and it will be overstocking. You could keep Guppy males in there, though. Preferably at least 5 to cut down on agression. Or you could try Endlers. That's about the only common Livebearers I can think of that could have males together. Otherwise, you'd have to go for all females.. But you'd still have some fry, since they can store sperm.

So basically, if you want an all male tank, Guppies or Endlers. Or all female Guppies, or Platies, if you don't mind some fry.

Oh yeah, and I've heard Koi can live for a LONG time. Same with Goldfish. Probably at least 20 years.

 

[MaDDog1281]

Platy and Swordtail males are usually pretty aggressive with each other. I wouldn't recommend keeping either Platy males or Swordtail males in there. Too much agression, not much room to get away, and it will be overstocking. You could keep Guppy males in there, though. Preferably at least 5 to cut down on agression. Or you could try Endlers. That's about the only common Livebearers I can think of that could have males together. Otherwise, you'd have to go for all females.. But you'd still have some fry, since they can store sperm.

So basically, if you want an all male tank, Guppies or Endlers. Or all female Guppies, or Platies, if you don't mind some fry.

Oh yeah, and I've heard Koi can live for a LONG time. Same with Goldfish. Probably at least 20 years.

I was think about mollies too. What about 2 balloon mollies (males)? I really don't want any females in the tank at all. I know they do better with some salt in their tank, but how much exactly and will it harm any of the other fish? I don't know about the guppies now. I am thinking about staying away from them. What is Endlers? I have never heard of that nor seen them at any of the many petstores around here. I would only like 5-6 fish total in the tank. I want 2 cory cats for sure and 3-4 male livebearers.

I've read that goldfish and koi live a long time too. I am thinking of putting them back in the outdoor pond so I can sell the tank, however I will not know where to put them in the winter then. I have 6 turtles that live in the pond and some frogs. The turtles come inside in the winter into my indoor pond, but I don't think its big enough to hold the koi and huge goldfish along with the turtles and frogs.

Also anyone know anything about blue rams? I got 2 of them and they both didn't do too well. They both laid on the gravel. I am pretty sure they are both males. They were scared of all the other fish. I let em float for 20 mins and mixed some tank water in with there water for another 10 mins. This usually works everytime. For some reason they were very shy. All I had in the tank is 3 diamond tetras and a pleco. Nothing agressive. 1 is eatting but very slowly and the other isn't. I have even seen him laying on his side. I think he may die. I got a 15 day guarentee so I think they might be going back to the store. They appeared healthy when they were bought. I tested the water and everything was good. Do they require a specific ph or something? This is in my other 10g tank.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Annastasia]

2 Balloon Mollies will work, I believe. However, they do not NEED salt...but some people say they do better with it. Cories can't have salt in their tank, though, because it burns their skin.

Endlers are fish that look a lot like the wild Guppy. They are very peaceful, but can be a little shy sometimes. They do best in a species tank, but Cories will be okay with them. Here's a few sites on Endlers:

http/endlerslivebearer.com/ver1.0/articl...ic_endlers.html

http/endlerslivebearer.com/ver1.0/articl...od/endlers.html

Guppies would also work, and they work well with Cories. But since you are thinking of staying away from them...I guess that won't work!

Blue Rams are VERY sensitive to water quality. They like soft water, and slightly warmer temperatures. Also, they need to be acclimitized a little longer then you did it. Preferably over about 30-40 minutes or so. They like a lower p.H too...closer to 6 then 7. They are very sensitive though, and sometimes they will die just from the stress of moving. Some people have never been able to keep them alive. So don't feel TOO bad...it's not like you are doing anything seriously wrong. Water changes are good too, and check your params. and see if they fit for the Rams.

 

[MaDDog1281]

I just checked my tank and 1 of the blue rams died. I removed the dead fish and added some blackwater extract to soften the water a little. 10 mins later I noticed the other blue ram which normally sits on the bottom was swimming around. His colors also changed to a darker more rich color. Whatever is in this stuff must have helped. I will have to return the dead fish though for an exchange tomorrow. Hopefully that is all it needed. Thanks for the help

 

[Annastasia]

Blackwater extract is great for Rams. I just wish I could find some around here for my Rams!

Sorry about your other little guy, though.

Back on topic though...did you decide what to put in your 10 gallon? Are you going to go for the 2 Balloon Mollies?

 

[MaDDog1281]

The blue ram is still swimming around. I got him on Friday and he hasn't really moved all that much until I put the blackwater extract in. I bought that about 2 years ago and haven't used it since. I feel bad for the other one. If I known sooner, maybe that would have helped him too.

I want the 2 corys, 1-2 balloon mollies. 2 male guppies. Thats good for me. They should all be fine, right? What should I add first? I am probably going to just add 2 fish next weekend. Tank was setup today. I figure it should filter for about a week or so before I get any fish. I could do it sooner, but I work all week so I will just wait. I would like a platy or swordfish too.... Would 1 of these work or will they still be too aggressive? I may but a dwarf frog or snail in too.

Thanks for all the help....I really appreciate it.

 

[Annastasia]

Mmm...you really need more Guppies for it to work. Otherwise, one will be dominant, and start picking on the other one. 5 Guppies is really the minimum. One Platy or Swordie could be okay...but they are really group fish. I don't think just one will be that happy. Also, Swordies are going to get too big for that tank.

Frogs and snails are also very big waste producers, so be sure to keep the tank clean, or the water quality will go down. Guppies are vey sensitive to this...so be careful.

How about this then:

5 Guppies OR 2 Mollies OR 2 Mollies and maybe one Platy.
3 Cories (You really need at least 3, for them to be happy)
1 snail or Frog

That's about all you are going to be able to safely get in a 10 gallon, unfortunatly. As for order...I'd go Livebearers, Cories, Snail or Frog. Especially if you have Guppies. Then you can see if they are really picking on each other, or if there is one very aggressive male, or anything, without wondering if another fish did it. Same with Mollies. Oh yeah...and expect some nipping and chasing. Only normal with just males.

And that's great with the Ram! Just keep an eye on him, and remember to keep up with the water changes!

 

[IMCL85]

some neon/cardinal r nice I just love their color .

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I just set up another 10g tank since my stand has 2 shelves(1 tank on top and one on the bottom), I figured for about $40 I can add another tank to it. I have 3 diamond tetra's, 4 tiger barbs, 2 blue rams and a pleco in the top one. The other one I set up today and will run for a week till next weekend before I add a few fish. This tank I just want some livebearers. Probably platy's and guppies. What do you guys think? I want only males though so I don't get babies. Maybe swords too. I will probably get 3 guppies and 3 platys, and 2 swords.

Also got a 55g and a 29g. I prefer smaller tanks though. The 55g is a lot of work and all I have is 2 fish in it. The 29g isn't too bad though. I would like to get rid of the 55g when the fish in it die. I have 1 goldfish that is really big. I have had it about 3 years. It was a feeder fish and was raised in an outdoor pond. Now its about a foot long or more. There is also a koi in there too. Anyone know how long they live? I know its under the wrong topic, but I didn't wanna write 2 separate posts.

Thanks

Im a quite concerned about your situation and also curious as to what you already know about fish keeping to help give us a clearer picture of your situation, so a couple of questions and pointers;

a. Do you know what ammonia, nitrates and nitrites are and dechlorinator/water conditioner? Do you test your tank for these at all?
b. How many tanks do you have, what and how many fish do you have in them, and how many gallons do the tanks hold?
c. How often do you do water changes in your tanks and how much water do you take out roughly in each one? Do you dechlorinate the tap water that goes into the tank?
d. What do you feed your fish and how often and how much on average?
e. Are any of your fish unwell or showing any odd behavior/symtoms?
f. How often do you clean your filter out and how do you go about it and do you clean it sparkling clean or just half clean it?


Pointers/comments;

Your 10gal tank stocking is not very good at all and is overstocked;
a. Tiger barbs need a tank of at least 30gallons and a group of at least 6-7 because of their very aggressive/nippy behavior, when they are in too smaller tank and group they turn very nasty towards other fish, they are also very active fish which is also why a 30gallon tank is advised.
b. Diamond tetras need to be in a group of at least 8 and need a 15gal tank.
c. The most commanly sold plecs are common and sailfin plecs, commons grow to 10-12inchs and need a tank of at least 55gallons and sailfins grow to 18inchs+ and need a tank of at least 125gallons- check out www.planetcatfish.com in their cat-elog and see if you have either of these 2, its very important you indentify your plec- to say the least a 10gal willl eventually kill either of these 2 if left to grow out in it for too long.
d. You need to cycle the new tank first before putting any fish in it or they will die/get very sick, i suggest you read up on fishless cycling in the pinned articles in the beginners section.
e. How large is your koi? The majority of koi need a pond of at least 500gallons and it needs to be at least 3-4ft in depth....Your goldfish is most likely a comet as well.
f. What do you have in your 29gal?